Women in Hopedale get additional help to escape violence

Premier Danny Williams and Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, presented a cheque for $70,000 to the Hopedale Status of Women Council in support of the Hopedale Women�s Shelter today during meetings with Aboriginal leaders in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

�This funding will dramatically improve the level of care and comfort for women in the Hopedale area who are seeking refuge from an abusive situation,� said Premier Williams. �Violence against women is not acceptable, and we must all work together to eradicate it from society. As we work collectively towards that goal, our government remains committed to providing the necessary support and services women need during an extremely difficult time in their lives. This funding will provide for the hiring of a full-time staff person to help women when they come into the shelter, as well as providing additional food, bedding, toiletries and other basic needs.�

Money for the shelter was ear-marked in Budget 2005 along with a new grants program to prevent violence against Aboriginal women and children, and an Aboriginal women�s conference which is scheduled to take place in February 2006 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The government is also in the process of creating a cross-departmental six-year plan of action on violence prevention.

�Women must have real options available to them in order to leave a dangerous situation and be able to live free of violence and abuse," said Minister Burke. "In addition to providing an improved level of emergency support, the funding will also ensure that connections are made for the women to other appropriate community agencies. Such referrals are critical in helping women leave an abusive situation for good."

�This funding could not have come at a better time,� said President of the Hopedale Status of Women�s Council, Rosie Hurley. �It takes a long time for women to build up enough trust in a place like this to leave an abusive situation � this funding will make the shelter safer for women and they will be more likely to see it as a good place to go. With a paid staff-person we will be able to help more women more often.�

Government recognizes the important role community-based organizations play in providing initial contact and support to women who are having difficulty in any area of their lives. Over the past two years, government has increased funding to the province�s eight Status of Women Councils/Centres, including the Mokami and Labrador West Centres, as well as to the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

�Our government will continue to work toward the prevention of violence and support initiatives and programs that advance the quality of life for Aboriginal women and indeed, all women in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Premier Williams.

The shelter is part of a network of supports for women on the Labrador coast. Longer-term shelter services for women exist in Nain and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Jacquelyn Howard, Women�s Policy Office, (709) 689-2624

2005 11 14                             4:30 p.m.