November 5, 2012

PROVINCE LAUNCHES NEW PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRATEGY AS PART OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers Support Campaign to Break Silence on Violence Against Women

‘Be more than a bystander -break the silence on violence against women’ is the message of the new public awareness campaign encouraging men to speak out against domestic violence, which isbeing launched in partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Our Blue Bombers are recognized as role models and we appreciate their support in promoting the message that men can’t condone or participate in violence against women,” said Selinger.  “As highly visible celebrities in our communities, they help set an example and send the message that violence against women is wrong.”
“The Winnipeg Football Club is proud to help support and be role models in this new provincial campaign aimed at domestic violence.  Our players have stepped up and volunteered to help relay the message that this type of behaviour is unacceptable under any circumstance and to be more than a just a bystander,” said Blue Bomber president and CEO Garth Buchko.
The advertising campaign includes videos featuring Blue Bomber players Glenn January, Chris Cvetkovic, Andre Douglas, Cory Watson and Jason Vega.  The messages remind Manitobans to be more than a bystander and help break the silence on domestic violence that affects women, children and families.
A new multi-year domestic violence prevention strategy was also released by the province.
“November is Domestic Violence Prevention Month and this strategy focuses attention on the importance of taking an active role in identifying and dealing with abusive relationships,” said Selinger.  “This strategy was developed with input from provincewide public consultations, research and a strategy review committee.”
Manitoba Housing has visited every provincially funded shelter and completed a targeted maintenance program for the safety and security of clients and staff, the premier said. 

The new strategy has three themes:  supports for victims and families, interventions for people with abusive behaviour, and prevention, awareness and training.  Multi-year strategy items include:

• investing over $1 million in capital improvements to shelters and other family violence facilities owned by the province;
• developing supports for agencies and individuals to address the needs of women who use multiple provincially funded shelters frequently and for extended periods of time;
• working with Aboriginal communities on specific strategies to address domestic violence;
• providing ongoing, stable funding for A Woman’s Place to employ a lawyer to assist women affected by domestic violence with their legal matters;
• offering supports to victims dealing with abuse by an immediate or extended family member;
• working with provincially funded organizations to ensure recruitment and retention of qualified staff;
• providing interpreters to assist those applying for protection orders;
• piloting a family court support worker program through Victim Services that will offer support for victims of domestic violence who are also involved in a family court proceeding;
• exploring legislative options to protect victims from harassment by in-custody offenders;
• appointing Marlene Bertrand to lead the implementation of the strategy with a team of community and government representatives;
• continuing to engage men and boys as allies in preventing violence against women; and
• continuing to spend over $15 million annually on programs to help support victims of domestic violence and their children.

“This strategy is a blueprint for moving forward,” said Kim Storeshaw, director of A Woman’s Place.  “We want Manitobans to know that services are available to help families, women and anyone who witnesses domestic violence.”
Information and the videos supporting the Break the Silence campaign are available at www.manitoba.ca/stoptheviolence and on Twitter @MBGov and help #StopTheViolence.
Confidential help is available any time at 1-877-977-0007 (toll-free).

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