Anti-violence organizations and government partners came together today to share information and provide input into the development of a three-year provincial domestic violence plan.

More than 80 participants, including child and family-service providers, Aboriginal groups, counsellors, police and representatives from anti-violence programs attended today's domestic violence forum. Participants highlighted innovative practices and consulted on future initiatives aimed at recognizing, responding to and ultimately putting an end to incidents of domestic violence in B.C.

The forum was hosted by the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence, which was created in March 2012 as the permanent lead for the B.C. government, focussed on strengthening the services and supports available for children, women and families affected by domestic violence.

The office is taking a co-ordinated approach to addressing domestic violence across B.C.'s child and family-serving systems. Today's forum marks the start of an extensive community consultation process that will inform the development of a comprehensive three-year provincial plan for implementation in June 2013. The plan will address the unique needs of immigrant and refugee women and women with disabilities. It will also include an Aboriginal strategy.

The efforts of the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence to protect families are consistent with B.C.'s Families First Agenda. The Families First Agenda provides information about how government supports families throughout the province. It describes a range of established programs and new ideas to help make life more affordable, support vulnerable families and keep communities safe. To read the agenda, share your ideas or provide feedback, visit: www.familiesfirstbc.ca

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

"Our government has made it a priority to collaborate with community partners in addressing our collective response to domestic violence. The Provincial Office of Domestic Violence will continue to work alongside stakeholders to improve how we deal with domestic violence and build on the important work being done in this sector province-wide."

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General -

"Community engagement is critical to sustaining a co-ordinated and systemic approach to domestic violence. Inclusive discussions like the ones that took place today help us ensure we stay responsive to the concerns and needs of those service providers and recipients who are closest to the issue."

Dr. Margaret Jackson, director of the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence against Women and Children -

"I greatly appreciate the opportunity to take part in these essential discussions around improving the way we deal with domestic violence in the province. It is absolutely crucial that we bring together community partners to work on our shared purpose - to protect those who are impacted and to significantly reduce violence against women and children."

Learn More:

Learn more about the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence at: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/podv/index.htm

Read government's response to the recommendations from the Representative for Children and Youth's March 2012 report, Honouring Kaitlynne, Max and Cordon: Make Their Voices Heard Now: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/podv/pdf/domestic_violence_response_booklet.pdf

To find out more about domestic violence in B.C., and to learn what to do if you have a friend or family member who is being abused, go to: www.domesticviolencebc.ca or www.victimlinkbc.ca

Contact:

Corinna Filion
Communications Director
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-2007