BATTERED WOMEN'S AWARENESS WEEK – NOVEMBER 30TH - DECEMBER 6TH

Released on November 30, 2000

Statistics show that violence against women is a serious societal problem.



Joanne Crofford, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, said the

provincial government has ongoing government programs to address domestic

violence, including ten women's shelters to provide emergency safe housing and

support. Other initiatives include treatment programs for batterers; funding

for sexual assault counsellors; and, focusing on prevention of violence through

education in schools.



"During Battered Women's Awareness Week, it's time to think of the women who

face violence as a daily reality and to consider what we can do personally, as

well as a community, to end domestic violence," Crofford said.



"On December 6th let's take time to remember the 14 young women who died 11

years ago at L'Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. I encourage Saskatchewan

people to attend vigils and memorials being held in Saskatoon, Regina and

Prince Albert."



"This year SaskTel, together with the Provincial Association of Transition

Houses of Saskatchewan (PATHS), has launched the Abuse Help Lines page in the

Saskatchewan telephone directories which provides information on abuse and

where to access help. That means information is now easily accessible in

everyone's home, in all doctor's offices and phone booths everywhere," said

Virginia Fisher, Co-ordinator of PATHS.



The project fits in with SaskTel's social cause of prevention of child abuse,

as selected last year by SaskTel employees.



For a listing of December 6th memorials and vigils in Saskatchewan, access the

Events Calendar posted on the Women's Secretariat Web site on the Internet at

www.womensec.gov.sk.ca/heard8.html.



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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