B.C. has proclaimed this week as Prevention of Violence Against Women Week to raise awareness in communities throughout the province and serve as a reminder that help is always available to women who have either experienced violence first-hand, are in a violent relationship or are in a situation where there is a threat of violence.

Violence against women can take many forms including domestic violence, emotional abuse, sexual or physical assault or other criminal acts of violence. In British Columbia, the provincial government provides $16.5 million in funding for more than 250 programs that assist women and children who may be in violent situations. These include Stopping the Violence counselling programs, Children Who Witness Abuse counselling programs, Outreach Services programs and Multicultural Outreach Services programs.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, resources are available:

• Please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 - a toll-free, 24/7, multilingual hotline.
• Go to: www.victimlinkbc.ca
• Families impacted by domestic violence can go online to: www.domesticviolencebc.ca - a one-stop online resource established by government as a result of a recommendation from the Representative for Children and Youth's report on the death of Christian Lee.

The Provincial Office of Domestic Violence was also created last month as a result of a recommendation made by the Representative for Children and Youth in her report on the tragic deaths of the Schoenborn children. This office will ensure there are strengthened and co-ordinated supports and services in place throughout the province for victims of domestic violence and their children.

The Province is also a partner in the anti-violence campaign, Be More than a Bystander, which was launched in June 2011 by the Ending Violence Association of BC and the BC Lions Football Club with financial support from Status of Women Canada, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Encana Corporation. The program has many elements including having BC Lions players lead interactive workshops in middle schools and high schools throughout B.C. In these workshops, the players engage with young people about issues related to harassment, abuse and the prevention of violence against women.

As we mark Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, British Columbians are encouraged to get involved by attending community events, making a charitable donation or volunteering to help victims of violence and abuse.

Quotes:

Mary McNeil, Minister of Children and Family Development -

"As a government, we are always working to strengthen the services we provide to women, children, and families in order to keep them safe. We have made a very serious commitment to enhance and co-ordinate domestic violence services by establishing the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence and to build awareness around prevention of violence against women through initiatives such as the 'Be More than a Bystander' campaign. It is crucial that we draw attention to this important issue in communities across the province, not just as part of Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, but year-round."

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General -

"As we mark Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, it is important for British Columbians to know that government is committed to reducing violence against women and domestic violence, and making sure there are appropriate supports in place for victims when it does occur. We want women in our province to know they are not alone and that help is available."

Learn More:

Directory of victim services and violence against women programs: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/directory/docs/victim-service-directory.pdf

Publications and resources for victims of violence: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/publications/index.htm

Events in your community:

http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crimeprevention/publications/docs/prevention-violence-against-women-eventsweek.pdf

Ending Violence Association of BC - "Be More than a Bystander":

http://www.endingviolence.org/node/1089

Contact:

Shae Greenfield
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639