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By rdnewsNOW staff

Alberta

Provincial government hoping to prevent gender-based violence in Alberta

May 16, 2024 | 2:28 PM

Alberta’s government says it is supporting organizations across the province to target the roots of gender-based violence and prevent it before it begins.

Government officials say all Albertans should be able to live their lives free from fear or violence. In Alberta, two in three females and one in three males have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, say provincial officials. Alberta’s government says it continues to work to reduce those numbers and improve safety.

The government says education and social changes are needed to put an end to gender-based violence. To further this education, Alberta’s government says it is providing $2 million in prevention-focused grants to support programs that target the causes of gender-based violence and encourage collaboration among non-profit organizations. The funding is expected to support 11 organizations in their work to prevent gender-based violence across the province. This is said to be the first time Alberta’s government has provided funding specifically for gender-based violence prevention.

“As we develop our 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence, we have heard loud and clear, we must invest in prevention programming so we can stop the violence before it begins. Thank you to the survivors, Indigenous women, experts and those on the ground who are supporting survivors and making their voices heard,” says Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

Engagement to support the development of Alberta’s 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence and support survivors is currently underway. Provincial officials say more than 60 engagement sessions have taken place in 11 communities across the province with stakeholders and the public, including Indigenous communities and organizations, gender-based violence organizations, subject matter experts and survivors. This strategy, officials point out, aims to build upon other actions already underway such as the Premier’s Council on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Plus People and the implementation of the Human Trafficking Action Plan.

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While the engagement on the 10-year strategy continues, Alberta’s government says it is not waiting to take action. In the last year, Alberta’s government says it has announced several projects focused on supporting survivors and families, including $10 million in additional funding to women’s shelters, $4 million in annual grants to Indigenous-led prevention projects, almost $4 million to support sexual assault services and $1 million to support sexual assault survivors in rural areas.

“Women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and organizations that support survivors are at the forefront of gender-based violence prevention,” adds Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services. “Our government is proud to further enhance their efforts to bring an end to both gender-based violence and the trauma that comes with it.”

“This investment from Alberta’s government demonstrates a strong commitment to working together to end gender-based violence,” shares Roxane Tiessen, executive director, Saffron Centre. “We are honoured to be part of this initiative, expanding upon our work in the communities we serve by focusing on prevention strategies with youth and continuing to bring hope and healing for those impacted by sexual violence.”

“As a leader of an organization that supports those that experience intimate partner violence and witnesses the constant need for our services, it is impactful that the Alberta government is prioritizing gender-based violence prevention. These funds will help agencies like Riseup do the work needed to see meaningful change,” states Ryley Miller, executive director, Riseup Society Alberta.

Alberta government quick facts

• The grant recipients for the $2 million prevention grant include:
• Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
• Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills
• Camrose Women’s Shelter Society
• Centre for Sexuality Society
• Fear is Not Love Society
• Radiance Family
• Riseup Society Alberta
• Safe Horizon
• Saffron Centre
• The Jessica Martel Foundation
• YWCA Banff