Harper Government takes action to help end violence against women in Dartmouth North

DARTMOUTH, NS, Dec. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced Government of Canada support for a project that will address violence against young women in Darmouth.

"Helping women live violence-free lives is a priority for our Government," said Minister MacKay. "We strongly support and commend the work of organizations like the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, which will assist women across our country in feeling safe, secure and empowered."

"Our Government is committed to protecting women and girls from violence," said Minister Leitch. "That is why we are holding offenders accountable for their actions, and supporting community-based projects across Canada that address violence against women."

The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre is receiving $200,000 in Government of Canada funding for a 24-month project that will address violence against women and girls in Dartmouth North. Young women and local stakeholders will work together to identify the issues leading to violence against women, and identify strategies to be adapted and piloted in their community.

"Community members and organizations in Dartmouth North approached us because they see an opportunity to work together to change the situation for women and girls in the community for the better," said Ms. Jackie Stevens, Coordinator of Community/Legal Education and Training, Avalon Sexual Assault Centre. "Government of Canada support for our project will help to reduce the rates of violence that women and girls experience, by engaging the community as a whole."

The Harper Government is supporting this project through Status of Women Canada's call for proposals, Working Together: Engaging Communities to End Violence against Women and Girls. Through Status of Women Canada, federal support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 600 projects across Canada. Since that time, over $62 million dollars in funding has been approved specifically for projects to end violence against women and girls.

From November 25, 2013 until December 10, 2013, the Government of Canada is marking 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This includes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, and International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2013.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:

Barbara Mottram
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]
Fax: [phone]

For all other inquiries, contact:

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

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