Premier Handley Announces Funding for the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence Phase II

YELLOWKNIFE (June 18, 2007) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has set a goal of $5.1 million dollars to be invested in initiatives related to the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence over the next five years. Of this, $355,000 will be committed immediately to implement activities that support the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence – A Framework for Action Phase II.

The funding will be spent on programs for children who witness violence, enhanced training for shelter workers, hosting a territorial conference of community care-givers to identify best approaches to implement family violence prevention actions that will have a direct impact on communities and additional research that will aid in assessing the success of family violence prevention activities.“The GNWT recognizes family violence as a major problem in the Northwest Territories (NWT),” said Premier Handley. “However, we know that, together with community partners like the Coalition Against Family Violence, we can reduce incidents of family violence in the NWT. ”

The NWT Action Plan on Family Violence (2003-2008) – A Framework for Action (Phase 1) listed 72 actions for implementation. The implementation of the first action plan is almost complete. Some of the best practices to come out of this action plan include: a stronger partnership with the Coalition Against Family Violence, Enactment of the Protection Against Family Violence Act, and development of a first response protocol for adult victims of family violence in Yellowknife, as well as tool kits and supports for communities wanting to develop and implement their own first response protocols.

The NWT Action Plan on Family Violence – A Framework for Action Phase II is the result of a partnership between the Coalition Against Family Violence and the GNWT. Phase II builds on the strengths of Phase I and examines how family violence can be more directly addressed through improved services to NWT residents.

Further to the GNWT’s support for the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence, the Premier will join delegates from the Coalition Against Family Violence, the Native Women’s Association of the NWT and the Status of Women Council of the NWT at the National Aboriginal Women’s Summit in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, from June 20-22.

Further information on family violence prevention activities in the Northwest Territories is available in the attached backgrounder or on the Internet at: http://www.executive.gov.nt.ca/offices/womensadvisory/

For more information, contact:

Karen Willy
Department of the Executive
Government of the Northwest Territories
karen_willy@gov.nt.ca
(867) 873-7530