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February 1, 2006
(Executive Council)
 

February is Violence Prevention Month

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today proclaimed February as Violence Prevention Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Violent behaviour is a choice. It is preventable," said Minister Joan Burke, lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. "The first step to ending violence in our communities is for each of us to take personal responsibility to become more aware of the attitudes that lead to violence, and to take action against those attitudes. We must send a clear message that violent behaviour is not acceptable.

"This month, in particular, I call upon each Newfoundlander and Labradorian to get involved in violence prevention activities in your communities," said Minister Burke. "And report abuse to your local police station or someone you trust."

While violence affects all population groups, according to Canadian statistics, women, children, seniors and persons with disabilities are most vulnerable to violence, with women experiencing the highest rates of violence in all groups. Violence against women also tends to be more severe, frequent and cause more serious physical and psychological injury. Aboriginal women and children face three times more violence in their homes and in their communities than those in the general population.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Violence Prevention Initiative is a government-wide program that works in partnership with community organizations and representatives to raise awareness, support victims and find long-term solutions to the problem of violence against those most at risk in our society. In Budget 2005, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to a six-year plan of action on violence prevention.

Joining Minister Burke in proclaiming the month was John Ottenheimer, Minister of Health and Community Services; Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs; Tom Marshall, Minister of Justice; Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat; and Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs � all of whom, through their respective departments, share the responsibility for the Violence Prevention Initiative.

For more information on violence prevention, visit the Violence Prevention Initiative�s Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/vpi. For information on how to get involved in violence prevention in your community or for a detailed listing of violence prevention activities taking place throughout February, contact your local VPI regional coordinating committee:

Labradorians for Peaceful Communities 709-896-8080
Western Regional Coalition to End Violence 709-634-4199
Grenfell Regional Anti-Violence Team 709-454-3351
Committee Against Violence Inc. (Central) 709-489-8828
Eastern Regional Committee Against Violence 709-466-4676
Regional Coordinating Coalition Against Violence � Eastern Avalon 709-757-0137

NOTE TO EDITORS: To view the Proclamation and photo, please visit our Web site at //www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/news/2006/vpmonth2006.html


Media contact: Cathy Whelan, Communications (709) 729-6225

Jacquelyn Howard, Communications (709) 729-4062 or (709) 689-2624 

2006 02 01        10:55 a.m.


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