Government of Canada Takes Action to End Cyberviolence against Women and Girls

LONDON, ON, April 24, 2014 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Susan Truppe, Member of Parliament for London North Centre and Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women, today announced Government of Canada funding for a new project to address cyberviolence against young women and girls in the City of London and the county of Middlesex.

The London Abused Women's Centre will receive funding in the amount of $155,542 for a two-year project that will engage partners in identifying effective strategies for responding to cyberbullying, Internet luring and cyberstalking against young women and girls.

Quick Facts

• This project was selected through the Government of Canada's recent call for proposals entitled Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond.
• In 2009, roughly 10% of adults reported cyberbullying against at least one child in their household; the majority of these adults (71%) indicated that the child who had been cyberbullied was female.
• Intimidation on the Internet made up about one quarter of police-reported incidents of cybercrimes in 2009, while child luring accounted for 7%. Of the incidents of intimidation, 67% of victims were "women or young girls". For the cases of child luring, 90% of victims were girls.
• The Government of Canada has launched a campaign entitled Stop Hating Online, to share information on the impacts of cyberbullying, including potential criminal consequences, how to prevent it, and how to report it when it happens. We have also introduced legislation that would make the non-consensual distribution of intimate images a criminal offence.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all women and girls. As part of that commitment, we are working with community organizations across Canada on innovative projects that address gender-based violence, including cyberviolence."     

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

"Advances in technology have led to new ways of victimizing women and girls – including cyberbullying, Internet luring and cyberstalking. This project will engage numerous partners in the London area, including law enforcement, in developing strategies to help the community address these new forms of violence, making the region safer for everyone."     

Susan Truppe
Member of Parliament for London North Centre and Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women

"Our organization is committed to ending the abuse of women and girls wherever it may occur, including online. This Government of Canada funding will allow us to work closely with our partners to find new ways to respond to and prevent cyberviolence in our community."

Stephanie Easter-Bates
Board Chair, London Abused Women's Centre

Related Products

• Call for Proposals: Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond (http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/fun-fin/cfp-adp/2013-2/index-eng.html)

Additional Links

• Information About Status of Women Canada (http://www.women.gc.ca/)
• Information on the Stop Hating Online campaign (http://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/index-eng.aspx)

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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, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, 819-953-5646, [email protected]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]