With far too many West Central Alberta families continuing to face the scourge of domestic violence, the province has announced an innovative new program aimed at raising awareness and promoting violence-free communities.
The 鈥楾aking a Stand鈥� program was launched last week as part of Family Violence Prevention Month. The program鈥檚 overall aim is to increase knowledge of gender-based discrimination and violence, and break down the attitudes that contribute to violence against women, the province says.
鈥淔amily violence is more than a social problem,鈥� said Verlyn Olson, minister of justice and attorney general. 鈥淚t is a crime that violates what should be the safest place anyone knows - their own home.鈥�
Jan Reimer, provincial coordinator with Alberta Council of Women鈥檚 Shelters, adds: 鈥淲e are pleased to be working with the province on this initiative as they have recognized that true prevention requires changes in attitudes towards violence against women and children.鈥�
November is Family Violence Prevention Month, a time set aside to promote safe and secure families year-round.
If the 鈥楾ake A Stand鈥� program does what it is designed to do, it is welcome news for every Alberta community.
And while the program itself is another helpful step in the fight to address the complex problem of domestic violence, one of the best things about 鈥楾ake A Stand鈥� is that criminals are actually funding it.
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the initiative is coming from Alberta鈥檚 Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO), which collects and distributes money and property seized from Alberta criminals.
Since it was formed, the CFO has seized more than $24.5 million in property and cash tied to criminal activity, including more than 200 vehicles formerly belonging to drug dealers, 51 drug houses, and millions of dollars in ill-gotten cash.
To date CFO funds have been used to pay for numerous pro-community initiatives, including anti-gang programs for at-risk youth, and projects that assist victims of crimes, including this new 鈥楾ake A Stand鈥� program.
鈥淭he Taking a Stand project is an excellent example of the community coming together to address this complex societal issue, and I am excited about our partnership and the work being done by the Alberta Council of Women鈥檚 Shelters,鈥� said Human Services Minister Dave Hancock.
鈥淓veryone in society - no matter what their gender, culture or background - has a role in preventing family violence.鈥�
Thanks to the CFO system, Alberta criminals, whether they like it or not, are now playing a meaningful 鈥榬ole preventing family violence鈥�.
As communities mark Family Violence Prevention Month, it鈥檚 good to see the Alberta government taking a stand to improve the safety and security of its most vulnerable citizens.
