Violence Awareness and Action Training Offered to Inuit Women

In an effort to help Inuit women address issues of violence in Northern Labrador, the Provincial Government, through its Violence Prevention Initiative, is funding a Violence Awareness and Action Training session, taking place today in Nain.

“The Violence Prevention Initiative seeks long-term solutions to the problem of violence experienced by women, children and youth, older persons, Aboriginal women and children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. “Creating change involves training and education, which is why Violence Awareness and Action Training is such an important part of our program.”

The goal of the one-day training session is to inform participants about the different forms of violence and how to examine the attitudes, values and beliefs that support violence in our society.

“Our government recognizes that violence against Aboriginal women is a serious issue,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. “The information and supports offered through this training session aim to help Inuit women break the cycle of violence in their communities.”

The training session is being delivered by Violence Prevention Labrador, one of 10 regional coordinating committees that have the mandate to advance violence prevention in regions throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This session is provided free of charge and participants will be issued a certificate from the Violence Prevention Initiative upon completion.

“Initiatives such as Violence Awareness and Action Training are important to Labrador Inuit Women,” said Myrtle Banfield, Coordinator of AnânauKatiget Tumingit, the Regional Inuit Women's Association. “It gives us a chance to gather, share and build on our knowledge and resources in order to address the issues of violence.”

The Violence Prevention Initiative is a six-year, $12 million initiative to combat violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. Along with Violence Awareness and Action Training, this initiative also includes social marketing campaigns and educational programming on violence experienced by vulnerable populations.

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2012 02 08                           3:15 p.m.