BATTERED WOMEN'S AWARENESS WEEK

Released on November 30, 1999

Building safer communities by reducing violence against women - that's the

focus of Battered Women's Awareness Week, from November 30th to December 6th.



Women are at the highest risk of spousal violence. A recent Statistics Canada

homicide report shows women are far more likely to be killed by their spouse

than by a stranger. In Canada, 128 women were killed in 1997.



61 were killed by a current or former spouse;



12 were killed by a boyfriend or ex-boyfriend;



12 were killed by a stranger; and



the remaining victims were killed by someone else they knew.



The government and community groups are working together to fight this cycle of

violence.



"We are all responsible to take action on violence," Minister responsible for

the Status of Women Joanne Crofford said. "The provincial government has many

programs in place to deal with violence, programs like funding for transition

houses and sexual assault centres; education in schools and money for

Alternatives to Violence programs."



One community initiative is a website set up by the Provincial Association of

Transition Houses of Saskatchewan (PATHS). Www.hotpeachpages.org allows abused

women easy access to phone numbers of agencies that will help them.



The last day of Battered Women's Awareness Week falls on a very sombre

anniversary.



"It's been ten years since 14 young women were murdered at L'Ecole

Polytechnique in Montreal." PATHS Co-ordinator Virginia Fisher said.

"Communities across Canada take action every December 6th to commemorate and

remember women who have been victims of violence.



"This day has also come to symbolize hope - a time when people can work

together to take action towards safer communities."



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For more information, contact:



Neena Saxena Virginia Fisher

Women's Secretariat PATHS

Regina Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 787-7012 Phone: (306) 978-6654