FRANCAIS

November 06, 2001

The Manitoba government is investing an additional $1.1 million in a multi-faceted effort to prevent domestic violence and help people affected by family violence to rebuild their lives.

The new funding was announced today by Tim Sale, minister of family services and housing, and Diane McGifford, minister of advanced education and minister responsible for the status of women.

Today's $1.1 million announcement featured:

• $961,000 in new funding for 33 agencies dealing with domestic violence;
• $142,600 in annual operating support for the new men’s resource centre at Elizabeth Hill Counselling Centre; and,
• $30,000 for Domestic Violence Prevention Month, which runs from Nov. 6 to Dec. 6, in urban, rural and Northern Manitoba with the theme "promises aren't the only things that get broken."

"Domestic violence is a complex problem that must be addressed on several fronts. Greater public education and more support for services for families caught in the cycle of domestic violence are two important parts of the equation," Sale said.

"Domestic Violence Prevention Month is important because it raises public awareness of this issue," McGifford added. "I urge Manitobans to learn how they can respond to and help women and their families deal with domestic violence by accessing services and programs through our many community partners."

The campaign, "promises aren’t the only things that get broken," is intended to reinforce steps people can take to halt domestic violence in their communities. The effort includes transit shelter posters, radio advertisements, brochures, lapel buttons and direct mail materials, which will be sent to various groups including women’s organizations, school divisions and communities of faith.

The ministers made today’s announcement at the official opening of Manitoba’s first resource centre for men involved in family violence.

"It is important that we have programs that are specifically tailored to help those caught up in the cycle of family violence, whether they are men, women, children or others who are part of their lives," Sale noted. "The province’s increased support for new and existing programs is another step forward."

The new men’s resource centre is affiliated with the faculty of social work at the University of Manitoba. The centre provides a variety of counselling, support and outreach services for men. It’s focus is to encourage the positive involvement of men in relationships and promote their responsibility toward their children, families and communities.

"We are extremely pleased that our new centre, one of only three in Canada, is officially open and we gratefully acknowledge the support of the Family Violence Prevention Program of the Government of Manitoba," said Don Fuchs, dean of social work at the University of Manitoba.

The new centre is located at the Elizabeth Hill Counselling Centre, a service, training and research facility that offers a range of programs for families, parents, children and couples. Services specifically designed to reduce the incidence of family violence include a counselling program for couples with a history of abuse.

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Throughout Manitoba, 33 agencies receive annual funding for community-based, domestic violence prevention services, women’s shelters, a men’s resource centre and other supports, as part of a comprehensive range of services for families affected by domestic violence. Funding details announced November 6, 2001, include the following operating grant support.

Eastman Crisis Centre in Steinbach

Ikwe-Wiiddjiitiwin Inc. in Winnipeg

Parkland Crisis Centre in Dauphin

Portage Women's Shelter in Portage

Nova House Inc. in Selkirk

South Central Committee on Family Violence in Winkler

The Pas Committee for Women in Crisis Inc. in the Pas

Thompson Crisis Centre Inc. in Thompson

Osborne House Inc. in Winnipeg

Westman Women's Shelter (YWCA) in Brandon

Alpha House in Winnipeg

L'Entre-Temps des Franco-Manitobaines Inc. in Winnipeg

Women in Second Stage Housing in Winnipeg

Samaritan House Ministries Inc. in Brandon

Immigrant Women’s Counselling Services in Winnipeg

Klinic Inc. (Evolve) in Winnipeg

Ma Mawi-Wi-Chi-Itata-Centre Inc. in Winnipeg

The Laurel Centre in Winnipeg

Native Women's Transition Centre in Winnipeg

Nor' West Co-op in Winnipeg

Interlake Women's Resource Centre Inc. in Gimli

Lakeshore Women's Resource Centre Inc. in Ashern

Swan Valley Crisis Centre Inc. in Swan River

Fort Garry Women's Resource Centre Inc. in Winnipeg

North End Women's Resource Centre Inc. in Winnipeg

Women's Safe Haven/Resource Service Inc. in Flin Flon

Pluri-Elles (Manitoba) Inc. in Winnipeg

Snow Lake Family Resource Centre Inc. in Snow Lake

Westman Interfaith Counselling and Education Centre (Men's Program) in Brandon

Brandon Access Exchange Service in Brandon

Thompson Access Exchange Service in Thompson

Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency in Winnipeg

Elizabeth Hill Counselling Centre

- Couple’s Counselling

- Men's Resource Centre in Winnipeg

Klinic - Clinical Consultant in Winnipeg

Klinic - Drop-in-Counselling Program for Men in Winnipeg

You Can Stop Violence Program in Russell and Dauphin

YWCA of Brandon - Couple's Counselling Program