Executive Council
December 24, 2014
Advancing Safety and Equality for Women
Training Programs Give Frontline Workers Critical Tools to Identify, Prevent and Intervene Against Violence
More than 200 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians received specialized training in 2014 to help them identify and prevent violence against seniors and other vulnerable members of society.
The Respect Aging training project was launched last spring, featuring training workshops and online resources to help service providers and other frontline workers recognize, intervene in and prevent violence.
"Our government remains firmly committed to advancing violence prevention for all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Respect Aging project is designed to educate and train caregivers and service providers in the recognition, prevention and intervention of violence against older persons. All forms of violence are unacceptable and every person in our province deserves to live in a safe, caring, violence-free community."
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
Under the project, 34 trainers from Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence, women's centres, Aboriginal governments and organizations and other community partners were trained in 2014. These trainers have since delivered sessions to 64 community participants. Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and staff have also received the training, as have staff from all the Regional Health Authorities. In addition, 17 trainers received training under the Violence Action and Awareness Training program and they have, in turn delivered training and resources to 98 people around the province.
The Provincial Government, through the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), continues to provide core funding for organizations and community partners whose goals are to increase awareness of gender diversity and equality issues and provide outreach services for women and girls at risk of violence or discrimination.
In 2014, this funding supported the Aboriginal Women's Violence Prevention Grants Program, 10 Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence, the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre and the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through the Women's Policy Office, the Provincial Government also funds eight Women's Centres across the province, the Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network.
"Support funding from the Women's Policy Office has allowed the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network to engage Aboriginal women and families in culturally-based empowerment and leadership development. This work increases their knowledge of violence awareness and prevention and strengthens their ability to return to school or work, making their own lives and those of their children safe and healthy."
- Odelle Pike, President, Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network
Programming and services available through community partners are integral to advancing social and economic opportunities for women. The Provincial Government continues to work toward creating communities where all residents can live, learn and work without fear of violence.
QUICK FACTS
- More than 200 people received training to identify, prevent and intervene against violence in 2014.
- Under the Violence Prevention Initiative the Provincial Government provided more than $1 million in funding for community partners who serve victims of violence.
- The Provincial Government provided $200,000 for 10 projects that will prevent violence against Aboriginal women.
- Community partners are integral to advancing social and economic opportunities for women.
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Media contact:
| Gina MacArthur
Communications Specialist Women's Policy Office 709-729-6225 ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca |
2014 12 24 9:50 a.m.