Alberta furthers commitment to victims of domestic violence
News Release
June 10, 2010
Safe Communities projects support families at-risk through prevention
Calgary… Three new pilot projects will strengthen government’s commitment to preventing domestic violence in Alberta. The projects will focus on supporting victims and breaking the cycle of violence in high-risk families.
“Domestic violence has a devastating impact on not only the victims, but on families and communities as well. We need to work together to prevent it.” said Minister of Justice and Attorney General Alison Redford, who made the funding announcement at the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Conference in Calgary. “This goes far beyond the closed doors of a private home. It is a serious crime that affects far too many Albertans.”The community-based projects receiving funding through the Safe Communities Innovation Fund include:
• High Risk Management Initiative: $1.2 million to HomeFront to enhance safety for victims and work towards long term reduction of domestic violence rates. The project will mandate offenders to attend domestic violence counseling, addiction and mental health treatment, anger management and parenting classes to prevent future offending.
• Maskwacis Family Violence Unit: $489,000 to the Ermineskin Women’s Shelter Society to create a specialized team to support at-risk families on the reserves of Hobbema and break the cycle of domestic violence. The unit will link families to appropriate services and support victims from the initial call for service through the criminal court process.
• Strengthening Families Project: Couples Treatment for Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse: $750,000 to the Calgary Counselling Centre to intervene and provide treatment to couples experiencing domestic violence where one partner has a substance abuse problem. The project brings both partners into treatment to encourage safe and healthy relationships.
“Family violence is a serious concern for our communities which requires all of us working together to assist those in need” said Minister of Children and Youth Services Yvonne Fritz, who announced funding for the Strengthening Families initiative at the HomeFront 10th Anniversary Celebration on June 9.
“In Calgary, over 75 per cent of the 13,000 domestic violence calls that police received in the last year involved children,” said Fritz. “I commend the Calgary Counselling Centre for responding with an intervention program that offers treatment to couples with substance abuse and addictions. By overcoming these challenges families at risk will develop stronger and healthier relationships.”
The three projects are led by five Safe Communities partner ministries: Justice and Attorney General, Solicitor General and Public Security, Children and Youth Services, Health and Wellness, and Aboriginal Relations.
The Safe Communities Innovation Fund builds on the work of the Safe Communities initiative to address crime on an immediate basis, as well as over the long term. For more information please visit:http://www.safecommunities.gov.ab.ca/scif.
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Kim Misik
Alberta Justice Communications
780 644 8472
Cell: 780 886 9396
kim.misik@gov.ab.ca
Trevor Coulombe
Children and Youth Services Communications
780 427 4801
trevor.coulombe@gov.ab.ca
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
