Minister attends violence prevention meetings in Clarenville

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, was in Clarenville earlier this week to meet with officials who are working on violence prevention and safe housing for women.

During her visit, Minister Burke met with the Discovery Women�s Network and members of the Regional Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee. The minister also toured the Neighbourhood of Friends Family Resource Centre and Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women.

Minister Burke�s tour of the only women�s correctional centre in Newfoundland and Labrador marks the first time the minister has visited the facility. "There is great work being done at the correctional facility. Staff are making the best use of resources to help inmates re-shape their lives as law abiding citizens," said Minster Burke.

The Clarenville Regional Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee is one of the original six committees established as part of the Violence Prevention Initiative � Taking Action Against Violence; four additional committees have recently been created to assess the violence prevention needs in Newfoundland and Labrador. The committee reported on new projects aimed at getting youth and seniors involved in the fight against violence.

At the Discovery Women�s Network, Minister Burke heard about the need for second stage and transitional services in the Clarenville area. The Discovery Women�s Network, established in 1997, is dedicated to representing women�s issues and advancing the status of women in the area.

Minister Burke was accompanied on her visit by Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North. "I would like to acknowledge Minister Burke for taking the time to meet with women�s groups in the district that are actively involved in the community," said Ross Wiseman. "It was very beneficial for me to take part in the discussions to fully understand women�s issues in the area."

"Meeting with individuals and groups that are dedicated to violence prevention in rural Newfoundland and Labrador is essential to understanding the positive strides that are being made in our communities and what work still needs to happen," said Minister Burke. "Government will continue to work with communities to deliver a strong message that violence is unacceptable."

Media contact: Michelle Hynes, Communications, (709) 729-6225

2006 08 16                        9:20 a.m.