Executive Council
December 2, 2008

Government and Community Partners Meet to Tackle
Violence Against Women

The disturbing prevalence of violence against women, and how to prevent it, is being explored during a two-day conference opening in St. John�s today. The conference is bringing together the 150 community stakeholders and Provincial Government partners of the six-year $9.2 million Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI).

The focus of this year�s conference is on preventing violence against women. Topics being discussed include domestic violence, the justice system, healing strategies for victims and why women stay in violent relationships.

"Violence against women exists in this province, particularly male violence against women, and it is one of the key issues we are attempting to address with our multi-year Violence Prevention Initiative," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Lead Minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative. "We continue to work with our community partners on a daily basis and through conferences such as this one to make violence against women unacceptable in every home and community throughout the province."

Minister Dunderdale opened the conference, which includes presentations on ground-breaking work being done to combat violence against women in this province and across the country. One of the keynote speakers is Brian Vallee, best-selling author of War on Women and Life with Billy.

"We have an impressive list of speakers and an agenda that reflects the severity and seriousness of this issue," said Minister Dunderdale. "We want our partners to leave this conference with a greater knowledge of the issue and of the work being done elsewhere. These are the people who will be bringing this information and these messages to the greater community to put a stop to violence against women in this province."

This is the third year that partners of the VPI have come together to discuss violence in the province. The VPI is this government�s response to violence in this province, be it against women, children, seniors, persons with disabilities or any victim of violence. Previous conferences focused on youth violence and how to engage communities in the fight against violence.

"Through this year�s conference, we want to raise awareness in communities that women who experience violence from men may face threats, injuries, terror and even death. While bruises eventually heal, the psychological scars may last a lifetime," said Minister Dunderdale. "This conference is an invaluable opportunity for government officials and community leaders to hear from the experts and discuss the issues so that one day women will be able to live freely and in peace."

For more information of the Violence Prevention Initiative, please visit: //www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/

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Media contact:
Erin Molloy
Communications Specialist
Women�s Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-7938
erinmolloy@gov.nl.ca

2008 12 02                                                    9:15 a.m.
 


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