Provincial Government Recognizes February as Violence Prevention Month

January 31, 2025

Office of Women and Gender Equality

The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, is proclaiming February as Violence Prevention Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with its community partners, have been working together to improve services for victims of violence and strengthen violence prevention programs throughout the province.

Acknowledging Violence Prevention Month is crucial for raising awareness about the impact of violence in our communities. It also promotes policies and initiatives aimed at reducing violence in all forms, including intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, bullying and workplace harassment.

In December 2023, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that is seeing an investment of nearly $13.6 million over four years to support provincially tailored National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence initiatives.

This investment is contributing to the continued improvement of services for survivors, including expanded wrap-around supports, counselling services and crisis helplines, ensuring that impacted individuals have the resources and support needed to rebuild their lives.

Most recently, the Provincial Government announced the establishment of a multi-departmental, ministerial-level committee to end gender-based violence, chaired by the Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality.

This committee will ensure that survivors, marginalized groups, and local organizations are heard, by creating multiple avenues for community involvement in its work, including regular presentations, focus groups, and other consultation opportunities.

In addition, the Office of Women and Gender Equality provides over $400,000 in annual funding to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police-NL (RCMP) and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), to support their Intimate Partner Violence Units, and $225,000 to the Department of Health and Community Services for the provincial Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.

Over the next two years, the office will also fund a new civilian victim services navigator position at the RNC, to assist with their adoption of the national Violence Against Women Advocate Case Review model, and to provide support to victims of intimate partner violence.

In 2024-25, another $316,583 in funding was provided for 14 projects through the Provincial Government’s Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program, and $523,165 in funding for 14 projects through the Provincial Government’s new Community Violence Prevention Program.

Quote

“Violence prevention is not just about avoiding harm, it’s about building communities that are rooted in respect, empathy and safety for all. Violence is not a private matter, it is a public matter, and we should all be empowered to make a difference.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

-30-

Learn more
Office of Women and Gender Equality

National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence

Provincial Government Taking Action to End Gender-based Violence

Funding Awarded for 14 Community Violence Prevention Initiatives

Funding Awarded for 14 Indigenous Violence Prevention Initiatives
2025 01 31

NT5