Friday, January 22, 2016
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Ontario Helping Northern, Rural and Remote Communities Address Violence Against Women
Province Introduces New Measures to Support Agencies
Today, Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services was at the Women's Rural Resource Centre of Strathroy & Area to announce that Ontario is introducing two new initiatives to help rural, remote and Northern communities address violence against women.
Violence Against Women agencies and shelters in rural, remote and Northern communities face unique challenges in delivering services. The province is introducing a new $1 million, two-year Rural Realities Fund to help eligible Violence Against Women agencies and shelters fund additional supports for women and their children in those communities.
Ontario will also be working with Violence Against Women agencies to create and implement a new framework that will help agencies develop co-ordinated plans to respond to tragedies or crises involving violence against women in their communities.
The creation of a new Rural Realities Fund and Crisis Response Framework were recommendations to the province from the Premier's Roundtable on Violence Against Women.
These initiatives support the Ontario government's goals of ending violence against women and providing better supports for survivors, and also support the government's It's Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.
Quick Facts:
- The Ministry of Community and Social Services funds more than 2,000 shelter beds for women who experience abuse and their children.
- Approximately 10,390 women and 7,330 children were served at VAW shelters in 2014-15.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"It is critical that women and their children experiencing violence in their homes in rural, remote and Northern communities have access to the help and support they need from Violence Against Women agencies. The Rural Realities Fund will help those agencies to develop local solutions that address the unique challenges in serving their communities."
— Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services
Media Contacts:
Alissa Von Bargen
Minister’s Office
416-325-5450
Grace Mfumuangani
Communications
416-325-0216
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