The Government of British Columbia and Encana are teaming up to fund the production of an Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) video to support better workplace practices and interventions to end violence against women.

Both parties will invest $20,000 each toward EVA BC’s 15-to-20-minute training video focused on workers involved in resource extraction that will be used in training employees to help create supportive and healthy work environments. The video will target new employees in these resource sectors, focussing on identifying risks and responding appropriately to violence against women.

Resource extraction is one of the fastest-growing areas of British Columbia’s economy. This video will be one area of training that teaches the workforce about respect for each other, which is the foundation for creating a safe work site.

EVA BC has a number of initiatives underway to help end violence against women and they will also produce material relating to violence against women for new employees to be included in training and orientation packages as part of their new Domestic Violence in the Workplace training program.

Production of the video will commence this summer.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“Our government is very pleased to partner with Encana and EVA BC as we continue to tackle the issue of domestic violence in British Columbia. I am pleased that our government is able to support practical resources like this training video which will be used to improve workplace practices and support healthy positive work environments. This video will be one tool in the Domestic Violence in the Workplace training program.”

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“Everyone has a part to play in building safer workplaces and communities. Training initiatives like this help raise awareness that the effects of domestic violence are not limited to the home. This partnership, and the intent behind the video, supports the collaborative approach of B.C.’s Provincial Domestic Violence Plan and our shared vision for a Violence Free B.C.”

Richard Dunn, vice-president, Government Relations Canada, Encana -

“This video is a direct result of our involvement as a founding partner in the Be More Than a Bystander program, which is designed to teach people to speak out about violence against women. Taking this same message into our field operations aligns with our commitment to ensuring a safe, respectful workplace and is a proactive step to address this difficult issue which exists in every community.”

Tracy Porteous, executive director, Ending Violence Association of British Columbia -

“While most domestic violence starts at home, indications of abuse and sometimes very serious risks show up at workplaces. With the right training to recognize the risks, workplaces can be a key support to people getting help, even saving lives if the co-workers know what to do.”

Quick Facts:

• Working along with WorkSafeBC, the Government of British Columbia has made addressing violence in the work environment a priority, including bullying and harassment.
• In 2008, the Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) initiated a ground-breaking training program for men in the forestry and mining sectors in B.C. called “Renewing Resources: Understanding the Effects of Domestic violence on the Workplace” with resources and curriculum being developed to reach people in these industries.
• This video builds on the work of government, EVA BC, Encana and other partners to end violence against women.
• Domestic violence does not stay at home when employees go to work. Workplaces can prevent violence and develop safe productive worksites.
• Addressing the effects of domestic violence in the workforce will:
  • Increase productivity;
  • Increase safety for all employees;
  • Reduce absenteeism;
  • Create healthier employees; and
  • Create safer worksites and communities
• The Provincial Office of Domestic Violence (PODV) was created in March 2012 as the permanent lead for the B.C. government, focused on strengthening the services and supports available for children, women and families affected by domestic violence.
• In February 2014, PODV’s coordinating efforts led to release of the $5.5-million Provincial Domestic Violence Plan. The plan delivers on government’s commitment to make B.C. a safer place for women, children and anyone who has been affected by domestic violence.

Learn More:

Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides services to over 200 funded anti-violence programs in B.C. and works broadly to co-ordinate and support the work of victim-serving and other anti-violence programs in the province. To lean more visit: http://www.endingviolence.org 

To learn more about Be More Than a Bystander, please visit: http://endingviolence.org/prevention-programs/be-more-than-a-bystander 

To watch Be More Than a Bystander videos and film clips, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs3LiiUL_7XRbzJazKUnmFoskQ0Zla7qa 

To learn more about WorkSafeBC’s domestic violence resources, please visit: http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/Violence/Resources-DomesticViolence.asp 

To read the Provincial Domestic Violence Plan and learn more about the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/podv/index.htm 

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

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799