Government of Canada supports project to end violence against women and girls in Sarnia and Lambton County - Minister Leitch announces project to address sexual violence

SARNIA, ON, Nov 10, 2014 /CNW/ -The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia — Lambton, today announced Government of Canada support for a project to reduce and prevent sexual violence against young women and girls in Sarnia-Lambton.

The Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre Sarnia-Lambton is receiving $172,500 in Government of Canada support for a project to engage young women and girls in Sarnia and Lambton County in improving community services provided to victims of sexual violence. At-risk women and local service providers will undertake a needs assessment, for example examining barriers such as distance and travel needed by women in rural communities. Local women and partners will also collaborate on a strategy to enhance coordination of community programs and services for victims.

The project announced today is receiving funding under Status of Women Canada's Call for Proposals entitledCyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has provided over $146 million in funding through Status of Women Canada to support more than 720 projects since 2007. This includes more than $70 million for projects to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.
  
• The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-13, the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act, which would make it a criminal offence to distribute intimate images without the consent of the person depicted.
  
• In January, 2014, the government launched a national anti-cyberbullying public awareness campaign called Stop Hating Online to raise awareness among Canadians of the impact of cyberbullying, and to identify when this behaviour amounts to criminal activity.

Quotes

"Our Government continues to take concrete actions to protect women and girls from all forms of violence. We are proud to partner on community-based projects like this one in Sarnia and Lambton Country and across Canada that reduce and prevent sexual violence against women and girls."

The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

"I am pleased that the Government of Canada is partnering with the Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre to address sexual violence against women and girls in Sarnia and Lambton County. This project is another example of our Government's concrete actions to end all forms of violence against women and girls across Canada."

Patricia Davidson
Member of Parliament, Sarnia - Lambton

"We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to help reduce and prevent incidents of sexual violence in Sarnia and Lambton County. This project will also improve outreach to those who may be victims through better coordination of community programs and services."

Michelle Batty, Executive Director
Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre Sarnia-Lambton

Related Products

• Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond

Additional Links

• Information About Status of Women Canada at women.gc.ca

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Tel: [phone], [email protected]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]