Executive Council
February 2, 2015

Supporting Safer Communities

Minister Proclaims Violence Prevention Month

The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative, joined community partners this morning at Confederation Building to proclaim February as Violence Prevention Month.

“A collaborative effort between the Provincial Government and the community is necessary to reduce violence against those most at risk in our society. By working together, we can improve services and educate residents of our province about violence prevention. I look forward to continuing to cooperate with community groups as we strive toward the common goal of a safer province for everyone.”
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative.

The 10 Regional Coordinating Committees funded by the Provincial Government are planning numerous awareness activities throughout Violence Prevention Month. These activities include open houses, information displays, school visits and public presentations. A complete schedule of activities in each region may be obtained by contacting the Regional Coordinating Committees listed in the attached backgrounder.

The Provincial Government is committed to building safe, violence-free communities through the Violence Prevention Initiative. Its purpose is to achieve long-term solutions for those most at risk of violence by educating and creating awareness with campaigns that include Respect Women, the Prevention of Violence Against Older Persons, Purple Ribbon, and the Cybersafe Girl Initiative.

Education and training initiatives, such as the Violence Awareness and Action Training program and Respect Aging Training, are also being offered across the province to increase sensitivity and awareness about the factors contributing to violence and the impacts of violence. These programs provide participants with valuable tools to help identify signs of violence in their community and support victims of violence.

“All residents of Newfoundland and Labrador have the right to live, learn and work without fear of violence. There are many forms of violence: physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, spiritual and cultural, as well as verbal and financial abuse and neglect. All forms of violence are wrong, and we all share responsibility for prevention. Simple ways to raise awareness include wearing a purple ribbon lapel pin and displaying a purple ribbon magnet on one’s vehicle.”
- Minister Manning

Purple ribbon lapel pins and car magnets are available by contacting the nearest Regional Coordinating Committee against Violence, or by emailing vpi@gov.nl.ca.

QUICK FACTS

• Minister Manning has proclaimed the month of February as Violence Prevention Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Every resident of Newfoundland and Labrador has the responsibility to take action against violence.
• Violence takes many forms: physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, spiritual and cultural, as well as verbal and financial abuse and neglect. All forms of violence are wrong.
• Information on the Violence Prevention Initiative and campaigns to prevent violence can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/vpi.

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Media contact:
Gina MacArthur
Program, Policy and Communications Analyst
Women’s Policy Office
709-729-6225
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence

Coalition Against Violence Eastern Avalon www.coalitionagainstviolence.ca Connie Pike, Executive Director 31 Peet Street – Tara Place, Suite 215 St. John’s, NL A1B 3W8 Tel: 709-757-0137 Fax: 709-754-4949 cavae.save.now@gmail.com	Communities Against Violence Stacy Harris, Executive Director Sheppard Avery Building 17 St. Clare Avenue, P.O. Box 130 Carbonear, NL A1Y 1B6 Tel: 709-597-3161 info@communitiesagainstviolence.org
Burin Peninsula Voice Against Violence www.bpvav.com Melanie Cleal, Executive Director 60 Atlantic Crescent P.O. Box 87 Marystown, NL AOE 2MO Tel: 709-279-4030 Fax: 709-279-5387 bpvav@nf.aibn.com	Eastern Region Committee Against Violence www.ercav.ca Tracey Fleming, Executive Director 105 Manitoba Dr., Suite 304 Clarenville, NL A5A 1K2 Tel: 709-466-4676 Fax: 709- 466-4670 ercav@gov.nl.ca
The Roads to End Violence www.roadstoendviolence.ca Lori Oram, Executive Director 157 Airport Boulevard Gander, NL A1V 1K6 Tel: 709-651-2250 Fax: 709-651-2295 info@roadstoendviolence.ca	Violence Prevention South and Central www.vpsc.ca Linda Nuotio-Flynn, Executive Director 5 Hardy Ave Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P8 Tel: 709-489-8828 Fax: 709-489-8620 cavadmin@nfld.net
Western Regional Coalition to End Violence www.wrcev.ca Victoria Jones, Executive Director P.O. Box 373 2 Carmen Avenue Corner Brook, NL A2H 6E3 Tel: 709-634-6606 Fax: 709- 639-1093 wrcoalitiontoendviolence@gmail.com	Southwestern Coalition to End Violence www.swcev.ca Bernice Hancock, Coordinating Agency Representative 31 – 37 Gallant Street P.O. Box 621 Stephenville, NL A2N 3B5 Tel: 709-643-1022 / 643-5399 Fax: 709-643-2293 swceviolence@gmail.com
Northern Committee Against Violence www.ncav.ca Darlene Rice, Executive Director 279 West Street P.O. Box 847 St. Anthony, NL AOK 4SO Tel: 709-454-3351 Fax: 709-454-2334 darlenerice@gov.nl.ca	Violence Prevention Labrador www.vplabrador.ca Carmen Hancock, Executive Director P.O. Box 23 Forteau, NL A0K 2P0 Tel: 709-931-2600 Toll Free: 1-866-446-8080 Fax: 709-931-2601 coordinator@vplabrador.ca

2015 02 02                      11:25 a.m.