PEI’s first Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy

Press Release

Feb 28, 2023

Prince Edward Island is taking important steps to make the province a safer and more supportive place for everyone.

The provincial government is launching A Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Adult Sexual Violence in Prince Edward Island: Creating A Culture of Care, to prevent sexual violence and improve supports for people impacted by sexual violence. This is the first of its kind strategy for the province and includes three priority areas: preventing sexual violence; responding to sexual violence; and coordinating responses.

This 5-year strategy was created using input from province-wide engagement with survivors, service providers, and experts. The strategy outlines a set of actions that focus on preventive measures and improve a shared response by:

• empowering frontline services with knowledge and skills;
• strengthening trauma-informed processes;
• increasing options for survivors and interventions for perpetrators; and
• coordinating overall efforts to address sexual violence.

These actions will help to create a culture of care in which every member of our society can understand their role in preventing sexual violence.  It will also ensure that people who are impacted by sexual violence and communities have access to a coordinated and trauma-informed system of supports and services that acknowledges their individual needs.

“Sexual violence is never okay and it is heartbreaking that so many Islanders are impacted by abuse and violence in all forms. For the first time in history, PEI now has a strategy and government’s commitment to help people be safer in their homes, communities and workplaces. We all have a shared responsibility to help end sexual violence in all its forms, and we are committed to leading this important work.”

– Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Natalie Jameson

“Islanders have a strong history of coming together to help each other in times of need. People who experience sexual violence are our family members, our friends and our colleagues. We are pleased that survivors’ voices and those with lived experiences were included in the engagement process for the development of Creating A Culture of Care strategy. Their perspective is key to understanding the issue of sexual violence in an effort to change social norms and make the lives of everyone safer in the future.”
Minister of Health and Wellness, Ernie Hudson

“Improving the safety and wellbeing of our Island means we need to work collaboratively with public safety and justice partners to break the cycle of violence. Taking a more trauma informed approach, we are taking progressive steps to reduce sexual violence while providing the right supports to all those impacted.”
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, Darlene Compton

Media contact:
Autumn Tremere
Education and Lifelong Learning
[email protected]

General Inquiries

PEI Interministerial Women’s Secretariat
3rd Floor Sullivan Building,
16 Fitzroy Street,
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Phone: 902-368-6494
[email protected]

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