Ministerial Statement – Minister Haley Raises Awareness about Violence Against Women

December 2, 2019

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, November 25, I had the privilege of joining our community partners for the launch the annual Purple Ribbon campaign, which aims to increase awareness and responsiveness to violence against women.

Over the last four years, our government has implemented significant legislative changes to support women and girls facing violence. Last month, we approved legislation commonly known as Clare’s Law, which provides authority for police to disclose information regarding interpersonal violence to a person at risk.

In Budget 2019, we provided new funding to establish a women’s centre on the Northern Peninsula. The NorPen Women’s Centre opened its doors in Port Saunders earlier this fall and is already offering programs to women in the area. We also provided funding for the Coalition Against the Sexual Exploitation of Youth, a program of Thrive Community Youth Network.

Mr. Speaker, the Office for the Status of Women works every day with representatives from the women’s community, Violence Prevention NL organizations, Indigenous groups and organizations, and multicultural women to identify collaborative, culturally-appropriate ways to address violence in our province.

We all have a responsibility to end violence in all its forms and I ask everyone to join me in pledging to work to achieve that goal.

Thank you.

NT5