Executive Council
Health and Community Services
August 20, 2010Provincial Government Takes Further
Action to
Prevent Violence Against Older Persons
As part of a four-year project under the Provincial Government's
Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), a Request for Proposals (RFP) will
be issued for materials to assist in the prevention of violence against
older persons.
"We believe older persons should be able to live free of fear,
exploitation and violence, in safe and supportive communities everywhere
in Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale,
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. "Through this project, we
will work to promote training to recognize, prevent and intervene in
violence against older persons, as well as raise awareness about the
issue of violence against older persons and change attitudes to make it
unacceptable."
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Violence
Prevention Initiative Action Plan, Taking Action Against Violence
2006-2012, is committed to increasing public awareness about
violence, violence prevention, and services available to victims of
violence. Reflecting this commitment, the Provincial Government invested
$2 million in the VPI in Budget 2010: The Right Investments - For Our
Children and Our Future.
The four-year project is a joint initiative with the Department of
Health and Community Services' Office for Aging and Seniors.
"A key priority in our Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework is
to improve legislation, policies, programs and services which work
toward older adults being free from violence and neglect," said the
Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services and
Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors. "In partnership with the
Provincial Government's VPI, we are committed to revising policies as
they relate to violence against older persons."
The materials to be developed, which include an education and
training manual, trainer's guide and resource CD, will assist adults,
older adults, families of older adults, youth, and people in many
professional settings reduce and prevent violence against older persons.
The deadline for submissions for this RFP is Monday, August 30, 2010.
The Violence Prevention Initiative is a six-year, multi-departmental,
government-community partnership to find long-term solutions to violence
against those most at risk in society. The initiative involves 11
government departments and agencies and over 30 community partners
including a Community Advisory Committee and 10 Regional Coordinating
Committees Against Violence.
- 30 -
Media contact: