Ministerial Statement - Official Launch of Regional Co-ordinating Committee of Violence Prevention Initiative for Gander and New-Wes-Valley Area

Executive Council
May 10, 2007
The following statement was issued by the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Official Launch of Regional Co-ordinating Committee of
Violence Prevention Initiative for Gander and New-Wes-Valley Area

I rise today to inform my colleagues of the official launch of the Regional Co-ordinating Committee of the Violence Prevention Initiative for the Gander and New-Wes-Valley area.

Although the committee is officially open for business just this week, the committee has been extremely active for several months organizing violence prevention activities throughout the Gander area. They have made over 40 presentations to youth during Violence Prevention Month, and invited youth to create violence prevention placemats for their launch.

In Budget 2007, government invested an additional $398,000 in the Violence Prevention Initiative. This investment builds on the six year, $1.25 million annual investment, which, among many other activities, has seen the number of Regional Coordinating Committees increase from six to ten.

Communities and government must work together to engage youth in our fight against violence and to spread the message that violence is unacceptable.

Over the past year we have implemented the Safe and Caring Schools Policy. This policy is dedicated to developing programs aimed at early intervention and education on violence prevention.

Government is also acting on its commitment to create a violence prevention marketing campaign that will raise awareness about violence prevention. The first campaign will focus on the prevention of youth violence and will be launched May 18, Stephenville High School.

People across our province have long been working to combat violence. As you can see this government is determineded to work with communities to reduce violence. I would encourage everyone here today to work with community groups in your region to help reduce violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

2007 05 10 1:45 p.m.

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