BATTERED WOMEN'S AWARENESS WEEK NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6

Released on November 28, 1997

Judy Bradley, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Social

Services Minister Lorne Calvert today announced that November 30 to

December 6 has been proclaimed Battered Women's Awareness Week in

Saskatchewan.



"This week raises public awareness of the issue of violence against

women," Bradley said. "Statistics Canada indicates that one in four

Saskatchewan women have experienced physical or sexual abuse at the

hands of a current or former spouse. The government is committed to

working with communities and families to address this issue."



Calvert highlighted a number of programs that the government has

initiated during the current budget year to assist communities in

creating a society where families are free from violence and abuse.

"By working together, we are investing in a healthy future for

children and families," he said.



Initiatives include:



$200,000 from Social Services over the past year to

Saskatchewan's transition houses for staffing positions in

shelters with the greatest need. As well, a three year funding

increase of $270,000 for benefits, salaries and for fixed costs

such as utilities and rent was initiated in April 1997.



A commitment of $350,000 by Saskatchewan Justice for the

expansion of community-based programs in the area of family

violence. Community partnerships have been initiated which

will lead to holistic interventions including education,

counselling and healing methods for victims, offenders,

family members and community.



$225,000 from the Saskatchewan Women's Secretariat for

iniatives which focus on the prevention of violence at home,

in schools and in the community. This will include the

development of educational material for Saskatchewan youth,

support to community organizations for innovative treatment

models and improved access to information on services and

programs.



A total of $700,000 has been allocated to an Early Skills

Development Program and a Co-ordinated Behaviour Management

Program by Saskatchewan Health. These programs will focus

on young children and youth with very challenging

behaviours.



"These initiatives will enhance existing services already in

place, and further the government-community partnership approach

to creating a healthy non-violent society," Justice Minister John

Nilson said.



"Effective and long lasting change will come about only when all

sectors of society work together to address family violence,"

Health Minister Clay Serby said. "Saskatchewan Health is

committed to working in partnership to address family violence

and strives to build healthy communities for all Saskatchewan

residents."



Virginia Fisher, Co-ordinator of the Provincial Association of

Transition Houses of Saskatchewan (PATHS), welcomed the

proclamation.



"PATHS requested the week be proclaimed to include December 6th,

Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence

Against Women, a day which commemorates the tragic deaths of 14

young women in Montreal in 1989," Fisher said.



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For more information contact:



Neena Saxena Virgina Wilkinson

Women's Secretariat Social Services

Regina Regina

Phone: (306) 787-7012 Phone: (306) 787-0916



Frankie Jordan Warren Bickford

Justice Health

Regina Regina

Phone: (306) 787-8994 Phone: (306) 787-8433



Virginia Fisher

Provincial Association of Transition Houses

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 978-6654