Harper Government supports projects to end violence against women and girls

Minister Leitch announces projects to prevent cyberviolence

OTTAWA, Oct. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Orléans, today announced Government of Canada funding of $1.1 million for new projects in a number of Canadian communities to prevent cyberviolence against young women and girls. Today's event was hosted by the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women.

Minister Leitch highlighted funding for three projects in the National Capital Region as part of the announcement:

Antre-Hulloises will receive $174,764 for a two-year project, in which the organization will work with community partners, including the local police force, to develop and implement strategies to address cyberviolence against young women and girls in schools.

CALACS francophone d'Ottawa will receive $173,000 for its two-year project to engage young francophone women and girls, young men, community partners, and experts in the Ottawa region in developing strategies to prevent and address cyberviolence against young women and girls.

The Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women will receive $159,641 for its two-year project, which will see them working with technology companies, service providers, youth organizations and academics to develop strategies to address cyberviolence against young women and girls. The project will examine new methods for social media companies and users to prevent online violence.

The five additional projects receiving funding are:

- Envision Counselling and Support Centre Inc. (Estevan, Saskatchewan)
- Safe City Mississauga (Mississauga, Ontario)
- Atwater Library and Computer Centre (Westmount, Quebec)
- Relais-femmes (Montréal, Quebec)
- Bay St. George Status of Women Council (Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador) 

The projects announced today are receiving funding under Status of Women Canada's Call for Proposals entitled Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has provided over $146 million in funding through Status of Women Canada to support more than 720 projects since 2007. This includes more than $70 million for projects to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.
• The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-13, the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act, which would make it a criminal offence to distribute intimate images without the consent of the person depicted.
• In January, 2014, the government launched a national anti-cyberbullying public awareness campaign called Stop Hating Online to raise awareness among Canadians of the impact of cyberbullying, and to identify when this behaviour amounts to criminal activity.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to ending violence against women and girls in all its forms. We proudly support community-based projects across the country that help victims and provide services that prevent cyberviolence. By targeting such violence, these projects strengthen our communities and make a positive difference in the lives of women and girls."

The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

"Our Government is taking concrete action to address violence against women and girls wherever it occurs. By working with skilled, local organizations here in the National Capital Region, we are equipping our communities with the tools they need to protect women and girls from violence whether it takes place in the home, in the community or online."

Royal Galipeau
Member of Parliament, Ottawa—Orléans

"We are very concerned about the cyberviolence that young women and girls in Gatineau face online every day. This Government of Canada funding will allow us to reach out to youth directly to understand their experiences, implement community prevention measures, and offer youth practical strategies for coping with online violence when it does occur."

Stephanie Legros, Project Officer
Antre-Hulloises

"We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this new project to prevent cyberviolence against girls and women. We are looking forward to working with young, Francophone women and our community partners to better understand this issue and to develop realistic solutions to stop gender-based violence on social media sites."

Josée Guindon, Manager
CALACS francophone d'Ottawa

"When it comes to stopping cyberviolence against women and girls, everyone in the community has a role to play. With this support from the Government of Canada, we will work closely with technology companies and other partners to find innovative ways to make digital spaces safer for all Internet users."

Erin Leigh, Executive Director
Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women

Related Products

• Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond

Additional Links

• Information About Status of Women Canada at women.gc.ca

Ce texte est également disponible en français

For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Tel: [phone], [email protected]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]