Executive Council
November 27, 2017
Purple Ribbon Flag Raised at Confederation Building to Create Awareness about Violence Against Women
The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today participated in a flag raising ceremony and proclamation signing at Confederation Building to mark the start of the 2017 Purple Ribbon Campaign. Joined by community leaders and those involved in violence prevention, the Purple Ribbon Flag is raised to help create public awareness and positively change social attitudes and behaviours about violence against women in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Purple Ribbon Campaign, which is supported through the Violence Prevention Initiative, will run until December 10, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. It also includes two significant dates in the history of violence against women: November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The annual campaign was developed to create awareness and prevent violence against women in Newfoundland and Labrador with the purple ribbon long being a symbol used around the world. The creation of the Purple Ribbon Flag was made possible by the advocacy of Debbie and Phillip Hibbs.
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. This includes continuing the work of the Action Plan for the Prevention of Violence in Newfoundland and Labrador, stakeholder consultations and engagement, regional outreach on violence prevention, continued financial support for the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program, as well the Intimate Partner Violence Unit, which is a province-wide law enforcement effort.
The Provincial Government also continues to work with representatives from the women’s community, regional coordinating committees against violence, the Indigenous community, as well as new immigrants to identify collaborative, culturally-appropriate ways to address the issue of gender-based violence in our province and throughout Canada.
Quotes
“Violence against women is unacceptable in any form. Unfortunately, it remains a serious issue in this province which we all have a responsibility to address. It is only through raising awareness, changing attitudes and working together that violence against women can be prevented. This flag is a tribute to all those who have experienced violence and symbolizes our collective efforts to speak out about violence and educate others. Today’s ceremony would not have happened without the advocacy of Ms. Debbie Hibbs. The Hibbs’ family has suffered a terrible tragedy in their lives, but are now using their strength to educate others and increase awareness. I commend them for their actions and encourage every resident to take part in the Purple Ribbon Campaign.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
“I believe the Purple Ribbon Flag flown to bring awareness to domestic and relationship violence against young girls, women and yes men is doing just that. People are coming forward now from all over the world, not just in Newfoundland and Labrador. The candle has been lit and now the fire is started. We cannot ignore any longer the injustice that has been done to our loved ones. We have to be their voice. Silence no more! The purple ribbon flag will always be imperative and may it always be flown to remind us of what has happened, but also remind us of what has to be done to eradicate violence from our society. In the words of our daughter Juliane, “Strength & Courage," I believe these words are very powerful to young girls and women in abusive situations.”
Debbie Hibbs
Mother of Juliane Hibbs
- 30 -
Learn More
Violence Prevention Initiative: please visit, www.gov.nl.ca/VPI or contact any of the 10 Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence listed in the backgrounder below.
Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Women’s Policy Office
709-729-5777, 690-4436
chrystacollins@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence
Burin Peninsula Voice against Violence
60 Atlantic Crescent
P.O. Box 87
Marystown, NL, AOE 2MO
Krista Foote, Executive Director
709-279-4030
Fax: 709-279-5387
Email: bpvav@nf.aibn.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BPVAV 
Web: www.bpvav.com/
Coalition Against Violence Avalon East
31 Peet Street, #215
St. John’s, NL, A1B 3W8
Valerie Barter, Executive Director
709-757-0137
Fax: 709-754-4949
Email: cavae.save.now@gmail.com
Twitter: twitter.com/cavavaloneast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoalitionAgainstViolenceAvalonEast
Web: www.coalitionagainstviolence.ca/
Communities Against Violence
30 A Cathedral Street, Harbour Grace
PO Box 250
Harbour Grace, NL, A0A 2M0
Stacy Harris, Executive Director
709-596-0726
Cell: 709-597-3161
Email: info@communitiesagainstviolence.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Communities-Against-Violence-491313564276666/
Twitter: twitter.com/CAVavalonwest
Eastern Region Committee Against Violence
105 Manitoba Dr., Suite 304
Clarenville, NL, A5A 1K2
Tracey Fleming, Executive Director
709-466-4676
Fax: 709- 466-4670
Email: ercav@gov.nl.ca
Web: www.ercav.ca/home/
Northern Committee Against Violence
279 West Street
P.O. Box 847
St. Anthony, NL, AOK 4SO
Darlene Rice, Executive Director
709-454-3351
Fax: 709-454-2334
Email: darlenerice@gov.nl.ca
Web: www.ncav.ca/home/
Roads to End Violence
157 Airport Boulevard
Gander, NL, A1V 1K6
709-651-2250
Fax: 709-651-2295
Lori Oram, Executive Director
Email: info@roadstoendviolence.ca
Twitter: twitter.com/RoadEndViolence
Web: www.roadstoendviolence.ca/
Southwestern Coalition to End Violence
31 – 37 Gallant Street
P.O. Box 621
Stephenville, NL, A2N 3B5
Bernice Hancock, Coordinating Agency Representative
709-643-1022/643-5399
Fax: 709-643-2293
Email: swceviolence@gmail.com
Web: swcev.ca/
Violence Prevention Labrador
E-mail: coordinator@vplabrador.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ViolencePreventionLabrador
Twitter: twitter.com/vplabrador
Violence Prevention South and Central
5 Hardy Ave
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, A2A 2P8
Linda Nuotio-Flynn, Executive Director
709-489-8828
Fax: 709-489-8620
Email: info@vpsc.ca
Twitter: twitter.com/VPSCNL
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Violence-Prevention-South-and-Central/263892110333768
Web: www.vpsc.ca/
Western Regional Coalition to End Violence
98 Broadway
Corner Brook, NL, A2H 4C8
Victoria Jones, Executive Director
709-634-6606
Fax: 709-639-1093
Email: wrcoalitiontoendviolence@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WesternRegionalCoalitionToEndViolence/
Web: www.wrcev.ca/
2017 11 27 1:50 p.m.