February is Violence Prevention Month in Newfoundland and Labrador

Executive Council
February 4, 2014

Supporting the Safety of Families and Communities

The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative, joined Provincial Government colleagues and community partners this morning at Confederation Building to proclaim February as Violence Prevention Month.

“I encourage all residents of the province to participate in local events in the fight to end violence and abuse. I ask that you show support for Violence Prevention Month by wearing purple ribbons and displaying purple ribbon magnets on vehicles to bring awareness to all forms of violence that continue to exist in our society.”
– The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative.

The Provincial Government’s commitment to building safe, violence-free communities is done so through the Violence Prevention Initiative. Its purpose is to achieve long-term solutions for those most at risk of violence by educating and creating awareness with campaigns such as Respect Women and OutrageNL. Throughout Violence Prevention Month, the Provincial Government will air the Respect Women campaign on television to help prevent male violence against women as well as the OutrageNL campaign to help prevent violence against youth. Print ads will also be featured in regional and provincial newspapers and magazines throughout the province.

The 10 Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence funded by the Provincial Government are planning activities throughout the month to heighten awareness about violence prevention. A complete schedule of activities for Violence Prevention Month in each region can be obtained by contacting Regional Coordinating Committees listed in the backgrounder below.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has proclaimed February as Violence Prevention month.
• The Violence Prevention Initiative demonstrates the Provincial Government’s commitment to achieving long-term solutions for those most at risk of violence by working with 10 Provincial Government departments and agencies and over 30 community partners. Additional information on the Violence Prevention Initiative can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/.
• Women, children and youth, Aboriginal women and children, older persons, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, persons of varying race or ethnicity and persons of differing economic status experience the highest rates of violence.
• Violence can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual and cultural violence, as well as verbal and financial abuse and neglect.

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Media contact:
Sara Norris
Program, Policy and Communications Analyst
Women’s Policy Office
709-729-6225
saranorris@gov.nl.ca

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BACKGROUNDER

Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence

Violence Prevention Labrador
P.O. Box 23
Forteau, NL A0K 2P0
Carmen Hancock, Executive Director
Tel: 709-931-2600
Toll Free: 1-866-446-8080
Fax: 709-931-2601
Email: coordinator@vplabrador.ca

Northern Committee Against Violence
279-281 West Street
P.O. Box 847
St. Anthony, NL AOK 4SO
Darlene Rice, Executive Director
Tel: 709-454-3351
Fax: 709-454-2334
Email: darlenerice@gov.nl.ca

Western Regional Coalition to End Violence
2 Carmen Avenue
P.O. Box 373
Corner Brook, NL A2H 6E3
Victoria Jones, Executive Director
Tel: 709-634-6606
Fax: 709-639-1093
Email: wrcoalitiontoendviolence@gmail.com

Southwestern Coalition to End Violence
31-37 Gallant Street
P.O. Box 621
Stephenville, NL A2N 3B5
Bernice Hancock, Executive Director
Tel: 709-643-1022
Fax: 709-643-2293
Email: swceviolence@gmail.com

Central West Committee Against Violence Inc.
5 Hardy Ave
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P8
Lorraine Hearn, Executive Director
Tel: 709-489-8828
Fax: 709-489-8620
Email: cav@nfld.net

The Roads to End Violence
157 Airport Boulevard
Gander, NL A1V 1K6
Lori Oram, Executive Director
Tel: 709-651-2250
Fax: 709-651-2295
Email: theroadstoendviolence@nf.aibn.com

Eastern Region Committee Against Violence
105 Manitoba Dr., Suite 304
Clarenville, NL A5A 1K2
Tracy Fleming – Executive Director
Tel: 709-466-4676
Fax: 709-466-4670
Email: ercav@gov.nl.ca

Burin Peninsula Voice Against Violence
60 Atlantic Crescent
P.O. Box 87
Marystown, NL A0E 2M0
Andrea Loveless, Executive Director
Tel: 709-279-4030
Fax: 279-5387
Email: bpvav@nf.aibn.com

Communities Against Violence
195 Water Street
P.O. Box 130
Carbonear, NL A1Y 1B6
Heather Sutton, Executive Director
Tel: 709-596-3311
Fax: 596-3321
Email: info@communitiesagainstviolence.org

Coalition Against Violence Avalon East
Suite 215, 31 Peet Street
St. John’s, NL A1B 3W8
Connie Pike, Executive Director
Tel: 709-757-0137
Fax: 754-4949
Email: cavae.save.now@gmail.com

2014 02 04

NT4