Executive Council
Health and Community Services
June 13, 2014

Encouraging Safe and Supportive Communities

Provincial Government Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

The Provincial Government is recognizing Sunday, June 15, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, in a continued effort to increase awareness of violence against older persons.

“This day of awareness highlights the importance of preventing violence against older persons in our province. Through the recent unveiling of the Respect Aging training program and website, the Provincial Government is committed to the recognition, prevention and intervention of violence against older persons, so that everyone can live free from fear, exploitation and violence in safe and supportive communities.”
- The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Lead Minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative

All forms of violence are unacceptable, and have damaging, long-term impacts on those who experience them. Violence against older persons takes many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, cultural, verbal or spiritual violence as well as financial abuse and neglect.

“The contributions that older adults make in our province should be respected and celebrated. Violence against anyone is unacceptable in our society. As our population ages, we must all do our part to ensure that we continue to provide kindness, compassion and opportunities for older adults. Through the Violence Prevention Initiative and the Healthy Aging Policy Framework, we are committed to providing supports and services to help older adults live in safe communities where they can make healthier choices, enhancing their independence and quality of life.”
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors

The Violence Prevention Initiative’s Regional Coordinating Committees against Violence have many activities scheduled in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Roads to End Violence has partnered with Central Health to deliver two modules of the Respect Aging training, the Southwestern Coalition to End Violence is hosting two Senior’s Lunch and Learns, and the Northern Committee Against Violence will be hosting a brunch where an RCMP officer will speak about the safety and security of older persons.

A list of community events recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is available by contacting the Regional Coordinating Committees against Violence. Contact information for each committee can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Provincial Government remains committed to preventing violence against all vulnerable populations by working with over 30 community partners and departments and agencies to ensure all residents live in communities free from violence.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government recognizes June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
• According to Statistics Canada, in 2011, approximately 8,500 Canadians aged 65 years and older were victims of a violent crime.
• The Respect Aging website was unveiled in March 2014. Information about the Respect Aging program can be found at //www.respectaging.ca/. These materials are meant to provide information, resources and tools for anyone who interacts with older persons affected by or likely to experience violence.
• Information about the Violence Prevention Initiative can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/vpi.
• For information on programs and services including legal, financial and health information pertaining to older adults please visit: www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/seniors.

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Media contacts:

Sara Norris Program, Policy, and Communications Analyst Women’s Policy Office 709-729-6225 saranorris@gov.nl.ca

Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 697-4137 heathermaclean@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: 754-4949 cavae.save.now@gmail.com	Communities Against Violence www.communitiesagainstviolence.ca/ Stacy Harris, Executive Director Sheppard Avery Building| 195 Water Street, 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: 279-5387 bpvav@nf.aibn.com	Eastern Region Committee Against Violence www.ercav.ca/home/ 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 theroadstoendviolence.ca/ Lori Oram, Executive Director The Roads to End Violence 157 Airport Boulevard Gander, NL A1V 1K6 Tel: 709-651-2250 Fax: 709-651-2295 theroadstoendviolence@nf.aibn.com	Violence Prevention South and Central Linda Nuotio-Flynn, Executive Director 5 Hardy Ave Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P8 Tel: 709-489-8828 Fax: 709-489-8620 cav@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/home/ 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/home/ 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

2014 06 13                                             12:55 p.m.