Justice and Public Safety
Executive Council
Children, Seniors and Social Development
December 8, 2017
Collaboration at Committee Meeting Identifies Next Steps in Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls
The inaugural meeting of the Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls was held today to connect community groups, representatives from Indigenous governments and organizations, those with lived experience and government members to identify possible solutions to end gender-based violence. The goal of the event, themed “Collaborating for Collective Action: Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls,” was to share information, exchange ideas, and come up with action plans to end gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The top justice issues identified by participants were:
- Education and training for justice professionals;
- More resources for Indigenous communities;
- Restorative Justice, including adequate programming for offenders to end cycle of violence; and
- Re-victimization of individuals at various stages of the justice system, including victim blaming and fear of children being removed from home.
The group focused on key areas that need to change in the justice system to end violence against women and girls, the challenges that need to be addressed, the role individuals and groups play and the concrete actions that can be taken as part of a collaborative approach to these solutions. Today’s dialogue will inform policies pursued by the Department of Justice and Public Safety going forward in addition to facilitating further constructive dialogue within the justice system and government in the future.
Quotes
“Today was a first step for this committee in working towards ending violence against women and girls. It will help us strengthen the justice system and gain a better understanding of the role it plays. I would like to thank all those who shared their stories, experiences and knowledge to help us develop a plan to address this very serious issue. This will take time, but I feel confident that the group we have gathered for this committee brings the necessary tools that can help inform real change.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
“Violence against women and girls is simply unacceptable, in any form, or by any means. We stand together today to make change happen by bringing our collective voice and strength to address the many complex reasons why violence occurs. I thank everyone who participated in today’s meeting. Together, we took positive steps forward to end violence so that all women and girls can live, work, learn, and play in a society where they feel safe, and can pursue their full potential.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
“Today’s collaboration and dialogue are an important step to end gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. The safety of women and girls, and indeed, all residents, is a shared goal of our government and it is through meaningful discussion and collaboration that we begin to influence systemic change.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“We all have a role to play in ending violence against women and girls. Individually and collectively we can make a difference. Having community groups, individuals and government come together today to identify key issues and possible solutions is critical in our continued work to end violence against women and girls. This collective commitment to finding solutions and challenging a culture of violence must be ongoing if we want to end gender-based violence.”
Linda Ross
President of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women
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Media contacts
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
LesleyClarke@gov.nl.ca
Chrysta Collins
Women’s Policy Office
709-729-5777, 690-4436
chrystacollins@gov.nl.ca
Krista Dalton
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca
Linda Ross, President
Provincial Advisory Council
on the Status of Women
709-753-7270
info@pacsw.ca
2017 12 08 4:00 p.m.