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Government announcement
7 March 2018

Ministers David and Charlebois announce investments of almost $20 million to support women who are victims of violence


Annonce d’une grande importance ce matin : un investissement additionnel de 19 495 000 $ sera accordé afin d’accompagner…

Posted by Hélène David on Wednesday, March 7, 2018

 

Countering sexual assault and domestic violence

MONTRÉAL, March 7, 2018 – The Government of Quebec is allocating an additional investment of $19,495,000 in order to support women who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. The investment was announced today by Hélène David, Minister responsible for Higher Education and the Status of Women, and Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living. Announced the day after consultation began for the next action plan on domestic violence and the day before International Women’s Day, this substantial financial aid reaffirms the government’s promise to combat violence against women and offer victims the help they need.

Allocation of investments

  • $13.1 million over three years for preventing sexual assault and supporting victims, as follows:
    • $9 million to increase access to community organizations that support victims of sexual assault, such as the Quebec Coalition of Sexual Assault Centres (CALACS and other help centres);
    • $900,000 to improve access to emergency services for victims of sexual assault, particularly in hospital emergency rooms;
    • Almost $2 million to implement the Empreinte program, which will be offered to high school students, parents and school staff by 26 CALACS sexual assault centres, in order to raise awareness about sexual assault;
    • $1.2 million to improve access to evaluation and treatment services for sexual abusers, among other services.
  • $6.4 million this year to counter domestic violence, as follows:
    • $3.2 million to help second-stage shelters and the Alliance des Maisons d’Hébergement de 2e Étape consolidate their support interventions;
    • $3 million to help first-stage shelters adapt their services to the growing needs of the immigrant clientele;
    • Almost $200,000 to support organizations working with abusive spouses and help them adapt their services to the needs of immigrants.

Quotes:

The Government of Quebec has been combatting all forms of violence for many years, especially domestic violence and sexual assault. Today, in concert with stakeholders in the field, we are making additional efforts to improve the lives of women, so that they are supported during all healing stages, including acceptance, disclosure, denunciation and reconstruction. We want them to know that we stand beside them, and we will never give up on them. What’s more, we are continuing our consultation process to develop the next government action plan to counter and prevent domestic violence.

– Hélène David, Minister responsible for Higher Education and the Status of Women

This announcement is a testament to our government’s firm commitment to improving services for victims of sexual assault and our determination to help them at the right time and according to their needs. Every victim deserves to be treated with respect. We are proud to support the many organizations in Quebec that are doing the essential work of helping these vulnerable people.

– Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living

Key points:

  • While the new action plan is being developed, the Quebec government has prolonged the 2012-2017 Government Action Plan on Domestic Violence, which mobilized ten ministries and organizations responsible for 135 commitments, divided in two parts: general and Aboriginal. From its launch in December 2012 to March 31, 2017, almost $525 million was invested to prevent and counteract domestic violence. Public consultations on the development of a new action plan are underway.
  • The forum on sexual assault and harassment, held on December 14 of last year, made it possible for diverse organizations to voice their concerns and offer solutions to the problem of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in the workplace. This forum was part of the implementation of the 2016-2021 Government Strategy to Prevent and Counteract Sexual Violence. During the forum, the Quebec Premier announced that investments would be made to reinforce the prevention of sexual assault and harassment, and to support victims. Today’s investments are making his announcement a reality.

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