Executive Council
September 14, 2015

Supporting Safe and Healthy Communities

Provincial Government Marks Sexual Violence Awareness Week

The Provincial Government is proclaiming September 14-18 as Sexual Violence Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador, as a way to draw attention to the issue of sexual violence, and encourage people to learn more about its impacts.

This year�s theme is Building CommUNITY, which recognizes the urgent and ongoing need for collaborative action to end sexual violence in order to support safe, healthy communities.

�Ending sexual violence requires a year-round community effort to raise awareness that all forms of violence are unacceptable. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to working with community partners through the Violence Prevention Initiative, to create safe communities where all residents can live, learn and work without fear of violence.�
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, joined community partners this morning to sign the proclamation.

Flags at Confederation building will fly at half-mast until sunset today, to mark the observance. In St. John�s, a number of events are being organized by the Sexual Violence Awareness Week Committee, including the Take Back the Night March, which will start at 7:00 p.m. in Bannerman Park on Friday, September 18. Information about other events can be found at www.nlsacpc.com .

The Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence are holding events across the province to mark Sexual Violence Awareness Week, as part of the Violence Prevention Initiative. Contact information for each committee can be found in the backgrounder below.

�Sexual Violence Awareness Week reminds us that communities must unite against sexual violence in all its forms. People are encouraged to talk openly about the realities and prevalence of sexual violence in our everyday lives and to learn how to better respond to and support survivors. This week continues to grow year after year and we are pleased to see how communities all over the province adopt and take part in the week.�
- Nicole Kieley, Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre

Through the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), the Provincial Government provides operational funding to the 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. Funding is also provided to Aboriginal groups committed to the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and children through the Aboriginal Women�s Violence Prevention Grants Program.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is proclaiming September 14-18 as Sexual Violence Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Ending sexual violence requires a community effort to raise awareness that all forms of violence are unacceptable.
• Information about Sexual Violence Awareness Week events can be found at www.nlsacpc.com .
• 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 Provincial Government departments and agencies and over 30 community partners. Additional information on the Violence Prevention Initiative can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

BACKGROUNDER
Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence

Coalition Against Violence- Avalon East www.coalitionagainstviolence.ca Catherine Dwyer, Executive Director 31 Peet Street � Tara Place, Suite 215 St. John�s, NL A1B 3W8 709-757-0137 Fax: 754-4949 cavae.save.now@gmail.com	Communities Against Violence Stacy Harris, Executive Director 30 A Cathedral Street, Harbour Grace P.O. Box 130 Carbonear, NL A1Y 1B6 709-596-0726 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 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 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 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 709-489-8828 Fax: 709-489-8620 ed@vpsc.ca
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 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 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 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 709-931-2600 Toll Free: 1-866-446-8080 Fax: 709-931-2601 coordinator@vplabrador.ca

2015 09 14                              11:00 a.m.