Harper Government announces further support for victims of crime - New project will improve services for women and children accessing shelters

OTTAWA, Dec. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women and the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, today announced Government of Canada support for a project to improve the coordination of services for women and children accessing shelters in Canada.

The Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses is receiving $200,000 in Government of Canada support for their two-year project to improve the coordination and implementation of quality shelter services for women and children. As part of the project, a guide will be developed and best practices will be shared among shelters to ensure that the needs of women and children are met effectively.

The announcement took place during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This 16-day event began on November 25^th with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on December 10^th, with International Human Rights Day.

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 taken significant action to better protect Canadians, including women and girls, from crime and to strengthen the capacity of the criminal justice system. Most recently, it introduced the Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices bill, which reinforces that Canada's openness and generosity does not extend to early and forced or polygamous marriage or harmful cultural practices.
• The Government of Canada has also 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 is committed to ending violence against women and girls and to supporting victims. We are working with expert service organizations all across the country to ensure that women have access to the services they need, when they need them and where they need them — right in their own communities. Access to these services is especially important for the victims of violence and their families as they rebuild their lives."

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

"We are proud to partner with community service organizations like the Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses on important initiatives to protect vulnerable women and children in need of support. This includes ensuring they have safe places to turn to access services and supports to rebuild their lives."

The Honourable Candice Bergen
Minister of State for Social Development

"Women and children across Canada rely on the critical services that shelters provide. This Government of Canada funding will allow us to improve collaboration between shelters all across the country and will support their ability to help women and their families when they need it most."

Jan Reimer (Alberta Council of Women's Shelters); and
Manon Monastesse (Fédération des maisons d'hébergement pour femmes)
Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses

Related Products

• More information on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence .

Additional Links

• Infobites on violence against women and girls
• Educator's Kit for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
• Government of Canada actions to make Canadian communities safer for everyone.
• More information on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
• Information About Status of Women Canada at 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]