New Positions to Support Violence Prevention Work 

Work to prevent violence in Newfoundland and Labrador will be enhanced with the addition of several new positions in support of the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI).  After successful competitions a director of the VPI and a provincial training coordinator have been selected. In addition, six temporary positions are being created to work on specific projects of several VPI partner departments. 

�I would like to congratulate Michelle Smith on her success in the competition for the director of the Violence Prevention Initiative,� said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.  �Ms. Smith has many years experience in the grassroots women�s community and has strong networks with many organizations working on legal, social and economic issues of importance to the status of women." 

Michelle Smith most recently worked as community liaison and communications director with the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women and will begin her duties as director of the VPI on February 19, 2007. 

The provincial training coordinator is a new position to strengthen training, education and awareness aspects of the VPI.  This includes the coordination of Violence Awareness Action Training (VAAT), inter-departmental violence prevention training, and the development of new violence prevention training. 

�We are extremely fortunate to engage the expertise and dedication of Gertie Mai Muise as the new provincial training coordinator,� said Minister Burke.  �Ms. Muise has extensive experience in community development and project management and training skills.  As well, her recent experience as a consultant to improve Aboriginal health status and with the Ontario Aboriginal Health and Wellness Strategy will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to the VPI.� 

To further support the work of the VPI, the minister announced funding for the creation of six temporary positions which will be in place until March 31, 2007.  These positions will be posted for competition externally.  Work will focus on violence prevention activities such as the Safe and Caring Schools Initiative of the Department of Education which supports work to ensure that learning and teaching can take place in a safe and caring environment. 
 
A position will be made available to the Women�s Policy Office to support the work of the VPI Research Plan, which is developing violence indicators to monitor progress of violence prevention activities, and to increase the capacity to collect and make use of data on violence.  Another position will assist the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary to conduct research on past and current homicide statistics.  
 
A position will support the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) in the development of an educational campaign for NLHC tenants on recognizing, preventing, and responding to bullying behaviour.  The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment will assign a position to coordinate through a partnership with the Community Youth Network four forums to develop a youth-targeted anti-violence public relations strategy.  The Department of Health and Community Services will assign a position to research legislative provisions, policies and procedures related to the reporting and handling of reports of suspected cases of abuse against older adults. 

�These positions will help government departments and agencies take further action against violence,� said Minister Burke.  �This is a proactive step to raise awareness and spread the message that violence is unacceptable." 

The Violence Prevention Initiative is a six-year, $7.2 million investment by government to dramatically reduce violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.  The Initiative is coordinated by the Women�s Policy Office and has over 30 government and community partners. 

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Media contact:
Michelle Hynes
Communications and Policy Research Analyst
Women�s Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-2125
michellehynes@gov.nl.ca 

2007 01 10                                                        9:35 a.m.