Premier Christy Clark and Solicitor General and Attorney General Shirley Bond today released the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

"Today we take time to reflect on the terrible impact of violence against women, as we mark the anniversary of the murder of 14 women at l'Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal in 1989," said Premier Clark. "I remember the shock, revulsion and sadness that followed the news of so many young, promising lives cut short just because they were women.

"While progress has been made in the last 22 years, we still have more work to do. I urge all British Columbians to condemn violence against women wherever they may confront it and to remember that there are women living daily with violence and its repercussions. We must shine a light on this deadly issue and ensure that it is dealt with and eliminated swiftly.

"Today and every day, we remember those who have died and who have been impacted as a result of violence against women. We must pledge as a just society that we cannot let this happen anymore."

"It's clear we must work together and commit to making a positive contribution to end violence against women," said Bond. "That means not looking the other way, and it means not excusing it - whether it affects a family member, a friend, a co-worker or a neighbour.

"Government has taken action with an investment of more than $70 million this year alone to fund supports and services for victims of crime, including approximately 100 transition house programs and over 400 victim services and violence against women counselling and outreach programs.

"In addition, we recently updated B.C.'s Family Law Act to include new protection orders to strengthen the court's ability to address domestic violence and to require all family dispute resolution practitioners to screen for violence to determine what processes are appropriate. This will help us identify violence earlier, and take action to stop it sooner.

"We will continue to do more until the women of British Columbia no longer face experiencing violence simply because they are women."

Contact:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640