Minister and Community Partners ‘Break Out of the Box’ to Discuss
Sexual Violence Awareness

The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Lead Minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative, and community representatives came together this morning to officially proclaim September 16–22 as Sexual Violence Awareness Week in the province.

This year’s theme of Breaking Out of the Box encourages the public to change the conversation surrounding sexual violence through more dialogue, more engagement, and more education.

“The impacts of sexual violence affect us not only as individuals, but as families and as a whole community,” said Minister Johnson. “The Provincial Government is committed to working with our dedicated community organizations and our police forces to minimize and eliminate violence, particularly sexual violence, in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is through events like today that we can learn from each other new and inventive ways to make a difference.”

Members of the two local police forces and government representatives were among those in attendance this morning as Minister Johnson signed the annual proclamation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre and the Sexual Violence Awareness Week Committee. In addition, Netty MusanHu, Executive Director for Musasa Project in Zimbabwe, spoke on the global perspective of violence against women.

“Sexual violence is everyone’s issue,” said Nicole Kieley, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre. “By coming together as partners for change, real solutions can emerge. What is accomplished through education and awareness this week must continue in our work, minds, and actions as we go forward.”

In addition to the proclamation signing, the Sexual Violence Awareness Week Committee has a number of events scheduled including a ‘Light Up the Night’ poster and lantern-making night, women’s self-defense safety sessions, and a provincial forum on sexual violence. The week will culminate with the annual Take Back the Night March, which gets underway at 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 20, from Bannerman Park.

More information on events for Sexual Violence Awareness Week can be found at https://www.facebook.com/EndSV . 

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2013 09 16             12:20 p.m.