Minister Guergis announces support for Uniting to End Violence against Women

OTTAWA , Dec. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Women escaping violence will be able to access higher quality services at women's shelters across Canada , today announced the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women). The Government of Canada will contribute $1 million to support the establishment of Uniting to End Violence against Women, a project that will bring together shelter organizations from across Canada and support efforts to end violence against women and their children.

"As we become more aware of emerging issues in violence against women, including, cyberstalking and human trafficking, it becomes more essential to share information and best practices nationally," said Minister of State Guergis. "Supporting the creation of this network is another example of how our Government is working to end violence against women in all its forms."

Shelter services for women and their children currently vary greatly across Canada . The national Uniting to End Violence against Women network will support the sharing of high quality services for women who experience abuse. Provincial, territorial and First Nations shelter organizations are key partners in this initiative, along with government departments, community-based service providers and women who have experienced domestic violence.

"Alberta Shelters are proud to be part of this initiative," said Ms. Jan Reimer , Provincial Coordinator of the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters. "It is something that shelters across the country have tried to achieve for decades."

The project's principal activities will be to facilitate the national exchange of "proven, promising and innovative" practices and to design and establish a national network of women's shelters across Canada . One million dollars in funding from Status of Women Canada will enable involved shelter organizations to begin developing the network.

Status of Women Canada's Women's Program continues to provide funding to community-based groups across the country. Since 2007, through Status of Women Canada , the Government has funded 117 projects, totalling $22 million that work to eliminate violence against women.

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada , go to www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

    
                                 FACT SHEET

    Uniting to End Violence against Women is the result of the efforts of a
number of partners, including:

    -   the B.C./Yukon Society of Transition Houses;
    -   the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters;
    -   the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of
        Saskatchewan (PATHS);
    -   the Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters;
    -   the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH);
    -   la Fédération de ressources d'hébergement pour femmes violentées et
        en difficulté du Québec (la Fédération);
    -   le Regroupement provincial des maisons d'hébergement et de transition
        pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale;
    -   the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia;
    -   the PEI Family Violence Prevention Services (FVPS);
    -   the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador;
    -   the Fundy Region Transition House Inc.;
    -   YWCA Yellowknife;
    -   the Yukon Women's Transition Home Society, Kaushee's Place;
    -   RESOLVE: Research and Education for Solutions to End Violence and
        Abuse; and
    -   the Shelternet e-services project.
    

For further information: Emily Goucher, Senior Special Assistant, Communications, Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women), [phone]; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning, Status of Women Canada, [phone]