In a significant step towards addressing gender-based violence in Alberta, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women Tanya Fir, alongside Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton, announced a series of supports and initiatives aimed at preventing gender-based violence across the province. The announcement, made during Sexual Violence Awareness Month, underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a safer future for all residents.
Minister Fir emphasized the critical nature of the issue, noting the ongoing trauma that gender-based violence inflicts on individuals and communities. “All Albertans deserve to live a life free from the fear and experience of violence,” Fir stated, underscoring the province’s commitment to a coordinated response to this pervasive issue.
Fir introduced the Gender-Based Violence Prevention Grant, a new $2 million initiative targeting the root causes of gender-based violence. This funding supports 11 frontline organizations across Alberta, focusing on primary prevention projects. These projects aim to change environmental factors and social norms that contribute to violence, promote healthy relationships, consent, and foster safer communities.
Highlighting specific initiatives, Fir mentioned the Calgary Centre for Sexuality Society’s “Culture Wise” program, which addresses gender-based violence within Black, immigrant, refugee, and newcomer communities. This community-driven initiative is set to impact nearly 1,000 Albertans, altering perceptions and preventing violence within ethnocultural communities.
In rural Alberta, the Camrose Women’s Shelter Society will implement a gender-based violence prevention program targeting schools, local sports teams, businesses, and police services. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 600 residents in the East Central Alberta area, emphasizing the province’s commitment to reaching underserved and at-risk populations.
Fir reiterated the Alberta government’s substantial investments in combating gender-based violence. Over the past year, $4 million has been directed towards indigenous-led projects aimed at increasing the safety and economic security of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals. Additionally, $9.7 million over three years will support elder abuse prevention, with specific attention to survivors of elder abuse.
Moreover, $625,000 has been allocated to post-secondary institutions to advance gender-based violence prevention efforts, and $1 million has been invested in the Rural Sexual Assault Support Program. These funds aim to enhance the skills of rural healthcare providers in administering sexual assault evidence kit exams, ensuring survivors receive the necessary support regardless of their location.
Minister Searle Turton, emphasizing the collaborative nature of these efforts, highlighted the alarming statistics that underscore the necessity of immediate action. “Nearly half of Albertans, 1.8 million people, have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime,” Turton noted, pointing out that women are twice as likely to experience sexual abuse compared to men.
Turton announced an additional $10 million over three years for sexual assault centers and women’s shelters. This funding aims to stabilize capacity and support innovative programs and services. Furthermore, the Prevention of Family Violence campaign, supported by the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, seeks to raise awareness and provide crucial resources for survivors and those seeking to change abusive behaviors.
Roxane Tiessen, Executive Director of the Saffron Centre, praised the government’s commitment to ending gender-based violence. She highlighted the comprehensive programs offered by her organization, including counseling, police and court support, and prevention-based education. “We believe strongly in the importance of prevention through education, awareness, and advocacy,” Tiessen stated, emphasizing the transformative impact of the new funding on their work.
Riley Miller, Executive Director of Riseup Society Alberta, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and its far-reaching effects. Miller emphasized the importance of accessible and affordable services for those impacted by violence and praised the government’s investment in prevention and support initiatives.
With a comprehensive and collaborative approach, the province is taking decisive steps to address the root causes of violence, support survivors, and foster safer communities. As Minister Fir concluded, “It will take every one of us working together in every corner of our province to end gender-based violence.”