Harper Government takes action to address sexual violence in Eastern Ontario

CASSELMAN, ON, July 17, 2014 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, today announced Government of Canada support for a project to help reduce and prevent sexual violence against women and girls in Eastern Ontario.

Centre Novas-CALACS francophone de Prescott-Russell is receiving funding to help community organizations respond to the needs of French-speaking women and girls who are victims of sexual assault in rural areas of Prescott and Russell in Eastern Ontario. Representatives from various community service providers will collaborate with women affected by the issue of sexual violence to identify needs at the community level, and gaps in services currently being provided. Promising practices will be explored, particularly those that have proven effective in rural communities. Strategies to improve support services for sexual assault victims will then be implemented.

This project was selected through the Government of Canada's call for proposals entitled Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond.

Quick Facts

• Status of Women Canada is providing $106,955 to Centre Novas-CALACS francophone de Prescott-Russell for this 24-month project.

                                                                                                     

• Since 2007, the Government of Canada has delivered more than $69 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 720 projects across Canada.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is taking concrete actions to protect women and girls from all forms of violence, including sexual violence. We are proud to support community-based projects like this across the country to improve services women receive who are threatened with, or have experienced sexual violence."

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

"Our Government is pleased to partner with Centre Novas-CALACS francophone de Prescott-Russell to improve support services for women who experience sexual violence in Eastern Ontario. We take this action because we know violence against women and girls affects us all, and we all need to be part of the solution."

Pierre Lemieux
Member of Parliament, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

"We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project that will improve community responses for women and girls who experience sexual violence. This project fills a real need in this community."

Ms. Martine Lanthier
President
Centre Novas-CALACS francophone de Prescott-Russell

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