Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

HARPER GOVERNMENT PROTECTING WOMEN AND GIRLS FROM CYBER AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

RICHMOND, BC – On behalf of the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, the Hon. Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond today called on the local community to take action to prevent cyber and sexual violence against women and girls.

“Recent high-profile cases have made cyberviolence and sexual violence against women and girls top-of-mind concerns for Canadians,” said Minister Leitch. “Our Government is taking action by supporting projects at the local level to help prevent these forms of violence against women and girls.”

“Violence against women and girls has devastating and far-reaching effects on the community,” said MP Wong. “The projects supported by this call for proposals will reduce violence against women in Richmond and reach out to those who have been affected by such violence. I am proud of the Harper Government’s support for grassroots initiatives like these, which improve safety for women where they live and work.”

The Harper Government will be funding these new projects through a Status of Women Canada call for proposals entitled Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond.

Applications by organizations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time on December 1st, 2013. For more information on the call for proposals and eligibility requirements, please visit women.gc.ca.

In addition to this new call for proposals, the Harper Government recently announced in the Speech from the Throne its intention to introduce legislation that will give police and prosecutors new tools to address cyberbullying. This legislation will also create a new criminal offence prohibiting the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

Since 2007, the Harper Government has funded more than $62 million for projects to end violence against women and girls through the Women’s Program at Status of Women Canada. Government of Canada support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 600 projects across the country.

Later this month, the Harper Government will recognize 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, and will mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, 2013, as well as Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6, 2013.

For media inquiries only:
Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O. Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
Tel: 819-953-5646
Fax: 819-994-5168

For all other inquiries, contact:
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
Tel: 613-995-7839

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