Alberta furthers commitment to victims of domestic violence                                                                         

June 10, 2010

Safe Communities projects support families at-risk through prevention

Calgary... Three new pilot projects will focus on supporting Albertans affected by domestic violence and breaking the cycle of violence in high-risk families.

“Domestic violence has a devastating impact on not only the victims, but on families and communities as well. We need to work together to prevent it,” said Minister of Justice and Attorney General Alison Redford, who made the funding announcement at the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Conference in Calgary. “This goes far beyond the closed doors of a private home. It is a serious crime that affects far too many Albertans.”

The community-based projects are receiving funding through the province’s Safe Communities Innovation Fund.

• High Risk Management Initiative: $1.2 million to HomeFront to enhance safety for victims and work towards long-term reduction of domestic violence rates. The project will direct offenders to domestic violence counseling, addiction and mental health treatment, anger management and parenting classes to prevent future offending.

• Maskwacis Family Violence Unit: $489,000 to the Ermineskin Women’s Shelter Society to create a specialized team to support at-risk families on the reserves of Hobbema and break the cycle of domestic violence. The unit will link families to appropriate services and support victims from the initial call for service through the criminal court process.

• Strengthening Families Project: Couples Treatment for Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse: $750,000 to the Calgary Counselling Centre to intervene and provide treatment to couples experiencing domestic violence where one partner has a substance abuse problem. The project brings both partners into treatment to encourage safe and healthy relationships.

“Assisting parents to make positive changes in their lives helps create safer home environments for couples and their children,” said Yvonne Fritz, Minister of Children and Youth Services, who announced the Strengthening Families project at the HomeFront 10th Anniversary Celebration. “This project will encourage families to develop stronger relationships and address issues related to addiction to help end the cycle of violence.”

The three projects are led by five Safe Communities partner ministries: Justice and Attorney General, Solicitor General and Public Security, Children and Youth Services, Health and Wellness, and Aboriginal Relations.

The Safe Communities Innovation Fund builds on the work of the Safe Communities initiative to address crime on an immediate basis, as well as over the long term. For more information please visit: http://www.safecommunities.gov.ab.ca/scif.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Kim Misik
Alberta Justice Communications
780 644 8472
Cell: 780 886 9396

Trevor Coulombe
Children and Youth Services Communications
780 427 4801

To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.