In an effort to raise awareness about violence and educate communities on how to take action against this issue, the Provincial Government, through its Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), began a series of training sessions and train the trainer workshops this week.

The one-day Violence Awareness and Action Training sessions and two-day train the trainer workshops will be held in St. John�s, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Marystown, Gander, Corner Brook and St. Anthony over the next month. The sessions have generated a great deal of interest and are expected to be well-attended with over 130 registered trainees.

"Violence in our province is broad and complex and the prevention of violence is a priority concern for the Provincial Government," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. "The goal of the Violence Awareness and Action Training is to promote a collaborative approach to violence prevention service among government and community."

The one-day training session will inform participants from Provincial Government departments and VPI partner community groups about the different forms of violence and how to examine attitudes, values and beliefs that support violence in our society. Through group discussion and the inclusion of anecdotal, statistical and theoretical information, the goal is to provide an empowering and reflective training environment that encourages personal insight into the experiences of survivors of violence.

The two-day train the trainer workshops will familiarize trainees from Provincial Government departments and VPI partner community groups with the Violence Awareness Training Leaders Guide resources and material in order to prepare trainers for future in-service delivery of violence awareness material. Trainees will also learn how to effectively educate adults and facilitate productive discussion.

The Violence Prevention Initiative is a six-year, $9.2 million commitment by the Williams Government to combat violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Violence Awareness and Action Training is part of the 150 action items listed in the VPI Action Plan.