Executive Council
November 25, 2011

Second Purple Ribbon Campaign Officially Underway

The Purple Ribbon Campaign is a Provincial Government initiative launched in 2010 to increase awareness and education on violence against women. The message that violence against women is unacceptable resonated with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and to further build support for this important cause, government is pleased to announce the start of the 2011 Purple Ribbon Campaign.

“Violence against women is an issue that we all must come together to address,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. “The Purple Ribbon Campaign is another example of how the Provincial Government and the community can work together to stand up against issues affecting the people in our province. I ask all residents to join us this year and show your support for ending violence against women.”

The campaign, funded through the Violence Prevention Initiative, will run from November 25 to December 10, which coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This campaign also includes two significant dates in the history of violence against women: November 25 is the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Women in Newfoundland and Labrador experience physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual and cultural violence, as well as verbal and financial abuse and neglect. According to RNC and RCMP data, in 2010 approximately 3,179 violent incidents were committed against women over the age of 18 in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“For us to pursue our vision of a province that is free from violence against women, we have to acknowledge that inequality is the root cause,” said Minister Johnson. “As long as inequalities exist for women, so will violence. Everyone can wear a ribbon and everyone can help spread the message that violence of any kind is unacceptable. Men and women are both encouraged to come together to support this campaign and each other in the pursuit of violence prevention.”

Purple ribbon campaign materials, such as lapel pins and car magnets, are available through many community groups across the province. Literature outlining the history of the purple ribbon and violence against women, as well as information designed specifically for teachers and advice for people who are in, or know someone who is in, a violent situation, is also available.

Violence Prevention Regional Coordinating Committees will host various activities across the province during the campaign. Contact information for each of the committees is listed in the backgrounder.

"The Communities Against Violence Committee in the Avalon West Region are excited about the Purple Ribbon Campaign as it works very well within our communities in educating and promoting awareness on violence against women,” said Heather Sutton, Regional Coordinator for Communities Against Violence Committee. “We encourage and applaud the Violence Prevention Initiative and the Women's Policy Office in again implementing such a powerful campaign."

The Violence Prevention Initiative is a six-year, multi-departmental, government-community partnership to find long-term solutions to violence against those most at risk. The initiative involves 11 government departments and agencies and over 30 community partners including a Community Advisory Committee and 10 Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence.

To view the campaign materials or to obtain more information on preventing violence against women, please visit www.respectwomen.ca . 

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador affirms the Provincial Government’s funding commitment with over $1 million new investments in women and family violence prevention programs and initiatives.

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Media contact:

Michelle Hunt Director of Communications Department of Child, Youth and Family Services 709-729-5148, 725-1593 michellehunt@gov.nl.ca

Heather Sutton Regional Coordinator Communities Against Violence Committee 709-786-7182 ext. 225 communitiesagainstviolence@yahoo.ca

Backgrounder
Regional Activities for the Purple Ribbon Campaign

For more information on how to participate in the Purple Ribbon Campaign, or to request campaign material, contact the one of the Violence Prevention Regional Coordinating Committees listed below.

Violence Prevention Labrador
P.O. Box 23
Forteau, NL
A0K 2P0
1-866-446-8080, 709-931-2600
coordinator@vplabrador.ca 

Northern Committee Against Violence
P.O. Box 190
St. Anthony, NL
AOK 4SO
709-454-3351
darlenerice@gov.nl.ca 

Western Regional Coalition to End Violence
P.O. Box 373, 2 Carmen Avenue
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 6E3
709-634-6606
wrcev@nf.aibn.com 

Southwestern Coalition to End Violence
P.O. Box 621
Stephenville, NL
A2N 3B5
709-643-1022
swceviolence@gmail.com 

Central West Committee Against Violence Inc.
5 Hardy Ave
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2A 2P8
709-489-8828
cav@nfld.net 

The Roads to End Violence
142 Bennett Drive, Suite 2
Gander, NL
A1V 2E4
709-651-2250
theroadstoendviolence@nf.aibn.com 

Eastern Region Committee Against Violence
105 Manitoba Dr, Suite 304
Clarenville, NL
A5A 1K2
709-466-4676
ercav@gov.nl.ca 

Burin Peninsula Voice Against Violence
P.O. Box 87
Marystown, NL
A0E 2M0
709-279-4030
paulamallay@nf.aibn.com 

Communities Against Violence
P.O. Box 500
Bay Roberts, NL
A0A 1G0
709-786-7182 ext. 225
communitiesagainstviolence@yahoo.ca 

Coalition Against Violence
31 Peet Street – Tara Place, Suite 209
St. John's, NL
A1B 3W8
709-757-0137
cavae@coalitionagainstviolence.ca 

2011 11 25             9:50 a.m.