Preventing Violence in Our Families and Communities

Annual Purple Ribbon Campaign to Raise Awareness about Violence Against Women

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce the start of the fourth annual Purple Ribbon Campaign to increase awareness and education on violence against women.

“Violence against women is a serious issue in this province which we all have a responsibility to address. Continuing to raise awareness about violence against women will allow us to change societal attitudes and behaviours. I encourage all residents of the province to help us achieve this goal at the community level by wearing purple ribbons or placing magnets on cars to increase awareness and encourage discussion and action against violence.”
-The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

The campaign was launched today at Confederation Building by the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Environment and Conservation, who was joined by community partners including the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Citizens Crime Prevention Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre.

The Purple Ribbon Campaign, which is funded through the Violence Prevention Initiative, will run until December 10, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. It 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.

To view the campaign materials or to obtain more information on preventing violence against women, including information on the history of the purple ribbon, please visit www.respectwomen.ca .  Contact information for regional coordinating committees against violence is listed in the attached backgrounder.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• The fourth annual Purple Ribbon Campaign supports awareness and education on violence against women.
• Over 100,000 purple ribbon pins and magnets will be distributed across the province through government departments, community groups, municipalities and businesses.
• According to RNC and RCMP data, from 2006 to 2010 over 14,000 violent crimes were committed against women over the age of 18 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The Violence Prevention Initiative demonstrates the Provincial Government’s commitment to achieving long-term solutions for those most at risk of violence by working with over 30 community partners and 10 Provincial Government departments and agencies.
• The Provincial Government invests approximately $1.6 million annually through the Violence Prevention Initiative.

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Media contact:
Heather Maclean
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER

Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence

For more information on how to participate in the Purple Ribbon Campaign, or to request campaign material, contact one of the regional coordinating committees against violence listed below.

Violence Prevention Labrador
1-866-446-8080, 709-931-2600
coordinator@vplabrador.ca 

Northern Committee Against Violence
709-454-3351
darlenerice@gov.nl.ca 

Western Regional Coalition to End Violence
709-634-6606
wrcoalitiontoendviolence@gmail.com 

Southwestern Coalition to End Violence
709-643-1022
swceviolence@gmail.com 

Central West Committee Against Violence Inc.
709-489-8828
cav@nfld.net 

The Roads to End Violence
709-651-2250
theroadstoendviolence@nf.aibn.com 

Eastern Region Committee Against Violence
709-466-4676
ercav@gov.nl.ca 

Burin Peninsula Voice Against Violence
709-279-4030
help@bpvav.com 

Communities Against Violence
709-596-3311
info@communitiesagainstviolence.org

Coalition Against Violence
709-757-0137
cavae@coalitionagainstviolence.ca 

2013 11 25                                     10:45 a.m.