Media Advisory - CAW Donates to Anselma House and Haven House

KITCHENER, ON, March 8 /CNW/ - The CAW will present a cheque today to Anselma House and Haven House. The cheque presentation will take place at the CAW Regional Office located at 5 Executive Place, Kitchener at 2:30 p.m.

The CAW donates $100,000 to approximately 50 women's shelters across Canada in conjunction with International Women's Day on March 8, 2010.

According to recent estimates, half of all women will experience violence in one form or another, but only 10% will report it. Up to 80% of those perpetrating the violence are spouses, partners or ex-spouses. In fact, only 5% of women are unable to identify their abuser.

Every year in our country, tens of thousands of women with their children are admitted to shelters. When women leave their abusive partners, this is a particularly dangerous time for them, half of the murders committed by ex-spouses happen in the first two months of separation.

Today gender based violence has been identified as the world's largest and most persistent human rights violation, and Canada is no exception. The federal government estimates the costs of violence against women at $1.1 billion per year in direct medical costs, rising to $4 billion a year after we factor in the costs of criminal justice, social services and lost productivity.

"Governments must commit to funding for women's shelters, invest in affordable housing, and a national child care program, all of which create the conditions that provide women with options to leave violent relationships," said CAW Kitchener Area Director Bill Gibson. "The CAW donations help, but it is the responsibility of all levels of governments to develop initiatives to end violence against women in our communities and in our workplaces."

In addition to making an annual donation, the CAW is urging the federal and provincial governments to provide core funding to agencies which provide services to women and their children who are fleeing violent relationships.

For further information: Bill Gibson, CAW Area Director, [phone]