Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton and Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux have issued the following statement in recognition of Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, April 13-19, 2014:

“As we recognize Prevention of Violence Against Women Week in B.C., we strongly encourage any woman who is at risk of violence and abuse to reach out for help. We understand the very serious impacts that all types of violence can have on you, your children and your family. Please know that you are absolutely not alone - help is available to you.

“This week, organizations throughout B.C. will be holding events to reinforce the fact that violence against women is unacceptable and we all have the right to feel safe in our daily lives - at home, at work and in our communities. Full details of these events can be found online at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crimeprevention/shareddocs/PVAWWeekCalendar2014.pdf

“Our government is creating an environment where all women have the supports they need to escape violent situations and recover from being victims of crime. We also know more can and must be done. That is why we committed to introducing a long-term, comprehensive strategy to move toward a violence-free B.C.

“We know this work requires a combination of funding and strategy, and that’s why we are making the needed investments and laying out next steps. Particularly, this year we have taken significant action to address domestic violence as well as missing and murdered women, both by providing more than $70 million in annual investments towards prevention and intervention services and with the introduction of new missing persons legislation.

“We also launched a three-year, $5.5 million Provincial Domestic Violence Plan to strengthen co-ordination and address domestic violence for children, women and families throughout B.C. And just last month, more than $1 million in civil forfeiture proceeds were provided to organizations that support women through existing and new Domestic Violence Units. These units take on the highest risk cases using an integrated approach to get victims out of harm’s way, both safely and quickly, while holding their offenders accountable.

“If you have been the victim of violence, or know someone who has, help is available at any time. Please call your local police (call 911 if it is an emergency) or VictimLink BC - a toll-free, confidential telephone service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 110 languages at 1 800 563-0808.”

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602