Violence Awareness and Action Training in Labrador

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead minister for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), announced today Violence Awareness and Action Training for three communities in Labrador. The program provides basic training and awareness on violence prevention for people who deliver grassroots services such as police officers, social workers, transition house workers and representatives from other community-based agencies.

"This training aims to increase awareness of what leads to violence and the impact of violence on vulnerable populations," said Minister Burke. "It is a crucial grassroots step to overcoming violence in our communities."

Participants from several coastal communities in Labrador will travel to Nain on January 20 and Cartwright on January 24 to partake in the sessions. A session also took place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on January 10 with 18 participants from the local community, Labrador City and Churchill Falls.

The training sessions are being coordinated by Labradorians for Peaceful Communities and facilitated by social worker and consultant, Bobbie Boland, and Libra House staff members, Cecilia Brown-Saunders and Mary Saunders. The training sessions have been made possible with approximately $25,000 in funding from the VPI.

The program helps participants examine the attitudes, values and beliefs about violence in our society. It provides information on different forms of violence and allows for learning and personal insight through empowering group discussion and reflection. The sessions are also designed to provide instruction for some participants to deliver further sessions in their own communities.

"People in Labrador often face a particular challenge when it comes to overcoming violence because of the isolation and lack of resources. This training gives participants a chance to learn the factors that lead to violence and how their own values and the values of society can enable or prevent violence," said Sherry Rowsell, coordinator of Labradorians for Peaceful Communities. "Traveling to communities in Labrador is very expensive. This training would not have been possible without the help of the VPI."

"The program is an excellent example of the importance of government and the community working together to address the social roots of violence, not just the symptoms," said Minister Burke.

The Violence Prevention Initiative is a multi-agency, community-government partnership, coordinated by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Women�s Policy Office with participation from several departments and community partners. The VPI is mandated to find long-term solutions to the problems of violence experienced by women, children, seniors and other marginalized groups.

For more information on the Violence Prevention Initiative visit www.gov.nl.ca/vpi

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

2006 01 19                            10:10 a.m.