May 30, 2013

JACKSON KATZ JOINS PROVINCE TO PROMOTE BREAK THE SILENCE CAMPAIGN

Jackson Katz, a well-respected educator, author and co-founder of a violence prevention program used by the American military and several professional sports leagues, is in Winnipeg to help the province promote its multi-year domestic violence prevention strategy, Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today.
Katz will help reinforce the province’s campaign message that men need to join the stand against violence inflicted on women, she said.
“Our multi-year strategy encouraging male role models has been widely embraced by many
high-profile men including members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and our guest speaker Jackson Katz,” said Howard.  “We appreciate their support in promoting the Break the Silence message.”
Katz presented a lecture on An Evening with Men:  Solutions to End Violence in Winnipeg yesterday.
Today, Katz appeared at a Sport Manitoba workshop for Sport Manitoba executive and staff.  This will be followed by the Break the Silence luncheon at the Legislative Dining Room where he will meet with MLAs, city councillors, business leaders and Winnipeg Blue Bomber board members among other guests.
Howard noted the province launched an Aboriginal component to the campaign earlier this year with the message ‘End violence against Aboriginal women and girls’ being promoted through a public awareness campaign.  The promotion, supported in partnership with a variety of First Nations groups, encourages Aboriginal men to speak out against domestic violence.
The province has also developed a significant inventory of Blue Bomber video clips in both French and English, encouraging men of all ages to understand the message that violence against women under any circumstance is not acceptable.  Information about the campaign and new videos by Blue Bombers are available at www.manitoba.ca/stoptheviolence.

Speak out to stamp out violence

Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross (right) joined members of Manitoba’s Aboriginal community to launch a new public awareness campaign encouraging Aboriginal men to speak out against domestic violence. Five new posters were unveiled depicting Aboriginal men who are role models for their respective generations speaking against violence against Aboriginal women and girls

April 11, 2013

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT HOSTS SYMPOSIUM ON PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT

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Collective Action Needed to Prevent Sexual Violence: Howard

Members of the UN Women’s Global Safe Cities Initiative will participate in the Manitoba government’s upcoming symposium on preventing sexual violence, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today.
The symposium is being held as part of a variety of initiatives to raise awareness about sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.
“Sexual assault in all its forms is one the most devastating experiences that happens in too many people’s lives and it has long-term impacts for families and communities as well,” said Howard.  “These impacts are becoming even more apparent as technology and social media expand the reach of perpetrators.  This forum will focus on taking collective action to prevent sexual violence.”
Taking Action:  A Symposium on Ending Sexual Violence in Manitobawill take place April 18 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre and input will be used to develop a consultation plan for a sexual assault prevention strategy in Manitoba, the minister said.  The participation of the UN Women’s Global Safe Cities Initiative will be in addition to a variety of local organizations dedicated to ending sexual violence in Manitoba.
“The UN initiative has proven the value of taking action at the local level by improving conditions in more than 15 cities around the world,” said Howard.  “It focuses on sexual assault and harassment, and seeks to improve safety for women and girls through public awareness, encouraging community mobilization and promoting gender equality to end violence against women.”
The Manitoba Status of Women Division is also hosting a series of events throughout the month including sexual assault prevention and awareness programs delivered by Klinic Community Health Centre’s Sexual Assault Crisis Program in Thompson and Portage la Prairie, and an event in The Pas on healthy dating in partnership at the Oscar Lathlin School.
A panel discussion was held this week at the University of Manitoba to discuss Working Together with Men and Boys as Allies to End Sexual Violence.  Panel members included Chris Cvetkovic of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as well as other local men who spoke about the issue of sexual violence against women.
For more information about events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, visit www.gov.mb.ca/msw.  For more information about the UN Women Global Safe Cities Initiative, visit: http://saynotoviolence.org/join-say-no/safe-cities-women-and-girls.

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January 9, 2013

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEATH REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT COMPLETE

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Government Accepts Recommendations: Swan

The Manitoba Domestic Violence Death Review Committee has completed its first report and the provincial government has accepted all of its recommendations, Justice Minister Andrew Swan announced today.
“Significant work has gone into reviewing the circumstances of a domestic violence tragedy.  We are committed to identifying factors and making changes that could save lives in the future,” said Swan.  “This was not an easy process for the committee and I thank them for their ongoing efforts.”
Work to address the committee’s recommendations has begun and is in co-ordination with the province’s Domestic Violence Strategy released in November.  As more reviews are completed, trends and patterns will be identified and additional recommendations made, Swan said.
Recommendations from the first report include:

• ensuring all police officers have direct access to cameras when responding to domestic violence calls so that injuries to victims can be photographed immediately;
• requiring ongoing domestic violence training for medical professionals and police agencies;
• developing a public awareness campaign that specifically targets youth and promotes healthy relationships, as well as domestic violence support services for family members including advertising the domestic violence toll-free number as a resource for families who have loved ones involved in these relationships;
• reviewing and exploring the use of risk-factor checklists and the implications for police, victim services, prosecutions and corrections, and reporting to the advisory committee on the findings;
• reviewing and exploring services available to family members impacted by domestic homicide that offer practical assistance, and recommending where and how families can receive this support; and
• reviewing and exploring the creation of an information-sharing protocol with animal welfare services in recognition that domestic violence is often linked to cases involving animal cruelty.

The Domestic Violence Death Review Committee can review selected criminal justice cases, identifying trends, risk factors and patterns.  The committee explores the history, circumstances and conduct of the perpetrators, victims and their families.  It can interview people close to the situation who may have insight, such as friends, family or even the perpetrator.  Community and systemic responses are examined to identify possible gaps and points of intervention that might avoid similar tragedies.
Extensive work has gone into ensuring the committee and its working group respects the privacy rights of victims and conducts its work in a sensitive manner, the minister said.
Now that the review committee’s work on the first report is complete, Manitoba Justice will be working with stakeholders across the province to implement the recommendations, Swan said, adding the committee will also undertake further reviews, and recommendations from those cases will be provided to the justice minister as they become available.
The Manitoba Domestic Violence Death Review Committee includes representatives from Manitoba Justice Victims’ Services, Prosecution Services and Adult Probation Services along with the Family Violence Prevention Program, Manitoba Status of Women, Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP and RESOLVE, which is a regional family violence research network.
Information and the videos supporting the Break the Silence campaign are available at www.manitoba.ca/stoptheviolence.

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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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Violence against Women

We have been fighting this battle for some time now. Millions of dollars have been poured into counsellors, shelters, women's Centres and programming for women and many women have benefited with jobs, education and so on. Unfortunately, whatever we are doing is not working. More women are killed than before and I think it is time for a different plan.

Osborne House is using a death of another woman as justification for more funds to expand the shelter. Winnipeg do not need any more shelters. These women live in homes and they should not be leaving their homes to go to shelters. The men should be asked to leave and to continue to support their wives and they should be under strict surveillance by the police either with a tractable device or something that would tell the police where they are at any time.

We know that if a man is intent on killing his wife, the only thing that would protect the woman is if she is put under police protection for some time  e.g. if she lives in the City, then move to the country with her children and carry on. The police nor shelters cannot adequately protect women and their children. There is something missing in this game plan.

Women need to be able to protect themselves. Instead of putting women in shelters, women should be taught self defense as a serious strategy to protecting them and their children. A person who is confident and who can protect themselves against bullies have less chances of being bullied. If when a man raises his hand to hit a woman and she could land him on his behind with a karate or judo punch. He will think twice about doing so next time.  It is the reason why men do not fight other men - they are scared they would be whupped.

It's madness to do the same thing and expect different results.  If a woman is being abused and she chooses to return to that situation, she knows what she is going back to and she should have the right to do so. Hopefully she would choose not to.

I think the entire family violence machinery needs an overhaul and fast because more women will die with what we have.

I will return so keep checking

It's Domestic Violence Month

November 1, 2011

PROVINCE, ORGANIZATIONS UNVEIL 'MOVING ON - INDEPENDENCE AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE' INCLUDING SAFE PET, FINANCIAL SURVIVAL INITIATIVES

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Development of Multi-year Domestic Violence Strategy, Launch of Awareness Campaign: Mackintosh, Howard

More help for survivors of domestic violence to get on with their lives with an initiative called Moving On – Independence After Domestic Violence was announced today by Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for the status of women.  The ministers were joined by representatives of the Winnipeg Humane Society, Manitoba Veterinarian Medical Association, City of Winnipeg Animal Services, police and other service organizations.
“It often takes more than just making up your mind to leave an abusive relationship,” said Mackintosh.  “Today, the province and several community organizations are enhancing services so victims don’t feel trapped in a violent relationship and can start a new life.”
He said Moving On – Independence After Domestic Violence comprises:

• Safe Pet – a leading-edge shelter program for family pets while survivors transition from abusive situations, based on findings that people don’t feel comfortable leaving a relationship if a pet is left behind and that children experience further trauma when a pet is left at risk in the home;
• Moving On and Managing Your Money – Canada’s first comprehensive guide and website to help survivors avoid common money problems and help achieve independence;
• evening and weekend counselling security upgrades – the installation of closed circuit TV monitoring and digital video recording at women’s resource centres for safer off-hours counselling programs ($26,500);
• one victim, one support worker – for continuity of supports, a counsellor will be designated to help victims before or after charges are laid by co-ordinating the work of the Domestic Violence Intervention Unit and the Domestic Violence Support Service in Manitoba Justice; and
• early lease termination – will now be available to victims of domestic violence or stalking so they can get out of an abusive home or an at-risk location with just one month’s or one rental period’s notice, rather than at the end of the lease, recognizing that victims might otherwise postpone leaving their home because of lease obligations.

Howard also announced the province is launching a public consultation in January for a renewal of its comprehensive multi-year domestic violence strategy.

“The strategy will include new approaches dealing with safety and supports for victims and families, interventions for perpetrators, enhanced stakeholder collaboration and co-ordination, public awareness and prevention as well as service provider training,” Howard said.
Called Safer Today, Stronger Tomorrow, the strategy will also contain a women’s shelter and residential program modernization action plan, said Howard.  To advise on action plan priorities, the province is creating a task force comprised of shelter expertise from outside the province, representatives from Manitoba Housing, the Family Violence Prevention Program and the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council, which will review facility and program needs with agencies.
The place and time of public consultations on Safer Today, Stronger Tomorrow will be announced and the final strategy will be unveiled this spring, Howard said.
Two public awareness strategies were also launched today as part of Domestic Violence Prevention Month.  One is a multi-media message that “Without help, abuse only gets worse”.  The other is a new radio feature by Manitoba’s consortium of domestic violence service providers on the impact of domestic violence on family members.

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SUNRISE CEREMONY, MWAC

The Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council (Status of Women) invites you to a sunrise memorial to mark twenty years since 14 young women were killed in Montreal on December 6, 1989 and to commemorate Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Monday, December 7, 2009
8:00 a.m.
Manitoba Legislative Building
refreshments to follow
This year, we are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children. Contributions are welcome.

Please RSVP by Friday, December 4 to 945-6281.

November 2, 2009

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH LAUNCHED WITH NEW INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TECHNO-STALKING, PROTECT CHILDREN– – –Investments in Family Violence Prevention Increased by $560,000: Allan, Mackintosh

Manitoba will launch a new training and education strategy to help identify and prevent the growing challenge of stalking by use of technology and provide $248,000 for two initiatives designed to help children directly affected by family violence, Labour and Immigration Ministers Nancy Allan, minister responsible for the status of women, and Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.

“Advances in technology have made our lives easier, but unfortunately a stalker can turn that technology into a way to monitor, track or control the movement or communication of their victim,” said Allan. “We want to make sure the frontline service providers and individuals are aware of the risks so they can take steps to protect themselves and children.”

Manitoba’s techno-stalking prevention strategy will be developed in conjunction with experts and the community and is expected to be launched this winter, Allan said. It will focus on educating victims of family violence as well as service providers about the new threats that different kinds of technology can create.

The strategy will focus on training and education as well as public awareness. Manitoba’s current domestic violence anti-stalking legislation is among the strongest in the country and already has measures in place to deal with stalkers who use technology to prey on their victims, said Allan.

Manitoba is committed to assisting families when there is a history or a concern about domestic violence, Mackintosh said. The Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency (WCAA) is one of two supervised access programs funded by the Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP).

This year, the WCAA is receiving a $167,000 increase in annual funding to expand its ability to provide a non-confrontational environment for supervised visits with family including grandparents. This additional funding will allow the agency to double its capacity for family visits with children.

“The impacts of family violence on children can be devastating,” said Mackintosh. “We hope that by offering awareness and support to children affected by family violence we can not only protect individuals today but help stop the cycle of violence in future generations.”
At the Root is an initiative established in November 2006 to assist children in Manitoba who have been exposed to domestic violence. A total of $456,000, including a new commitment of $81,000 for At the Root, has been allocated under the Family Violence Prevention Program to community agencies to enhance services for children and youth. More than 800 children and youth have benefited from services under the At the Root initiative.

Stalking is a serious problem around the world, Allan said. A recent report from the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated that 14 of every 1,000 adults in the U.S. were victims of stalking. One out of every four stalking victims reported some form of cyber-stalking by methods such as email or instant messaging.

Part of Manitoba’s effort to combat stalking includes an ongoing public awareness campaign including outdoor ads and displays in community areas such as neighbourhood stores.

If you, or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or feels they are being stalked, contact the police or the toll-free provincial domestic violence crisis line at 1-877-977-0007.

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