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