Harper Government supports victims of violence in Alberta

Minister Leitch announces new project to prevent and respond to sexual violence

CALGARY, Feb. 10, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Member of Parliament for Calgary — Nose Hill, today announced Government of Canada funding for a new project to address sexual violence against women and girls in Alberta.

The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services will receive $165, 775 for its two-year project to help coordinate and strengthen services for victims of sexual assault in rural communities in Alberta. As part of the project, the organization will work to improve service responses for women and girls by building collaboration with sexual assault crisis centres throughout the province. It will also collaborate with organizations from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, to share knowledge and best practices throughout western Canada.

This project is being funded under Status of Women Canada's Call for Proposals entitled Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond.

Quick Facts

• The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services will receive $165,775 for this project.
• Since 2007, the Government of Canada has delivered more than $71 million through the Women's Program at Status of Women Canada for projects to prevent violence against women and girls.
• Through Status of Women Canada, federal funding of community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 750 projects across Canada.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to ending violence against women and girls, and to supporting victims. All across the country, we are working with expert service organizations – like the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services – 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 

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

"The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services to help ensure that services for victims of sexual assault can better respond to the needs of women in rural communities in Alberta. This project is going to make a real difference for women and their families in these communities. I have been privileged to live in several small communities in Alberta and I know this project is going to make a real difference for women and their families in these areas."

The Honourable Diane Ablonczy
Member of Parliament for Calgary — Nose Hill

"Women and girls who have experienced sexual assault need access to the best services and support available. This Government of Canada funding will allow us to improve how we help victims of sexual assault by sharing best practices between service providers. This project will provide the specialized assistance that victims need in communities all across Alberta."  

Debra Tomlinson MSW, RSW
Chief Executive Officer
Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services

Related Products

•  Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond

Additional Links

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

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

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]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]