Violence Prevention Efforts Get an Infusion of Funding

Executive Council
June 13, 2007
Violence Prevention Efforts Get an Infusion of Funding

The Williams Government is investing approximately $1.6 million in Budget 2007 to help reduce violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. This funding includes the $1.2 million annual commitment to the Violence Prevention Initiative and $398, 000 in additional funding.

The Budget 2007 increase will see the Provincial Government enhance its commitment to violence prevention to $9.2 million over six years. The initiative brings together ten Provincial Government departments and agencies and approximately 30 community groups to work together to eliminate violence.

"Thousands of people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are victims of violence each and every day," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, and Lead Minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative. "In Budget 2006, the Provincial Government made a commitment to build safe and secure communities in Newfoundland and Labrador by announcing a renewed Violence Prevention Initiative - Taking Action Against Violence. The Williams Government is continuing that commitment by investing additional funding in Budget 2007 to allow government departments and community groups to increase their violence prevention efforts."

Budget 2007 investments into the Violence Prevention Initiative will go to support anti-violence projects and activities at both the government and community levels. Projects such as the Safe and Caring Schools Initiative, the violence prevention awareness campaign, and increased translation services within the justice system will continue to receive funding.

"I am especially pleased with increases in funding for our Regional Coordinating Committees, for efforts to combat sexual violence, for the Transition House Association and for important research into the needs of children who may witness violence," said Minister Burke. "These reflect the coordinated approach that is being taken to not only raise awareness about violence prevention, but to combat violence and support those who are impacted by violence."

In addition, the Williams Government has allocated $435,000 to assist vulnerable populations under the Poverty Reduction Strategy. This funding will be used to increase funding to the eight Status of Women�s Councils across the province, to assess the need for employment supports for victims of violence, as well as to create a guide to services for women to increase awareness of poverty reduction programs.

"We recognize the importance of the work that is done at the community level by our individual women�s councils," said Minister Burke. "Our women�s councils are receiving an unprecedented level of support from any government in their history. This year, each of their budgets has reached $100,000, a 50 per cent increase since 2004."

A number of key action items will be supported through the Provincial Government�s $1.2 million annual investment to the Violence Prevention Initiative. The Department of Health and Community Services will lead a review to ensure that all government programs and services effectively meet accessibility standards and the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment will lead a review to determine if programs and services are meeting the needs of individuals who may be victims of violence due to their ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status.

"Violence prevention is everyone�s responsibility. All government departments and agencies, as well as community groups, must work together to raise awareness and encourage the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to take action against violence," said Minister Burke.

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Media contact:
Michelle Hynes
Communications Specialist
Women�s Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-2125

michellehynes@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Budget 2007 Investments for the Violence Prevention Initiative

$100,000 in additional funding to 10 Regional Coordinating Committees, increasing annual funding from $55,000 to $65,000. Regional Coordinating Committees were created to lead violence prevention activities on the regional level.

$30,000 in additional funding to the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre, increasing funding from $70,000 to $100,000 annually. The centre is a non-profit organization that exists to provide support and essential services to anyone impacted by sexual violence.

$10,000 in additional funding to the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (THANL), increasing funding from $65,000 to $75,000 annually. THANL is an umbrella organization for transition and safe houses across Newfoundland and Labrador that make a significant contribution to violence prevention each year.

$20,000 increased funding for the Violence Prevention Initiative Annual Stakeholders Conference, bringing funding to $50,000 annually. This year�s conference is planned for November. Partners of the Violence Prevention Initiative will come together to discuss methods for reducing violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

$40,000 to support the anti-violence social marketing campaign. The Provincial Government has acted on its commitment to create a violence prevention marketing campaign to raise awareness about violence prevention. In May 2007, the youth violence prevention campaign was launched. Future campaigns will focus on combating violence against children, older adults, women, persons with disabilities, and persons with differing sexual orientations.

$20,000 to support the Rural Secretariat database. This work will focus on a coordinated research effort, including improved data collection on victims of violence and conducting a victim�s client service survey to identify baseline information and indicators of violence.

$20,000 for increased justice translation services. The Department of Justice will begin work to improve translation services for Aboriginal people in the justice system. A comprehensive review of the services required for women and children in transition will focus on what services are needed for Aboriginal women and children.

$148,000 to support the research needs of the Violence Prevention Initiative. This funding will be used to create a Senior Research and Policy Analyst position for the Violence Prevention Initiative as well as to research the needs of children witnessing violence.

$10,000 in educational materials and supplies to promote violence prevention. This funding will go to the Safe and Caring Schools Initiative to ensure a safe learning environment in schools across Newfoundland and Labrador.

2007 06 13 12:00 noon

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