Dalton & Dave help women and kids

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $112,303 to support prevention of domestic violence

McGuinty government increases support for Sault Ste. Marie women and children

SAULT STE. MARIE - Women and children in Sault Ste. Marie will have more options to escape violence in their homes as the McGuinty government invests an additional $112,303 in local organizations David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“Today's announcement is part of our continuing commitment to strengthen shelters and more permanent housing to give women and children the independence they need to escape domestic violence,” said Orazietti. “The local organizations that we are supporting play a vital role in ending violence against women and assisting Sault Ste. Marie’s most vulnerable citizens.”

In Sault Ste. Marie the $112,303 investment includes:

- $97,931 for Women in Crisis Algoma

- $14,372 for Algoma Family Services.

Across Ontario, an $18.8 million investment will:

- Add 83 beds to existing shelters

- Raise the minimum per bed funding to $30,000 from $25,000

- Provide an across-the-board five percent increase to shelters

- Provide $1.5 million to second stage housing providers

- Support a new Francophone shelter in Timmins.

“The sad reality is that no group of women - young, old, immigrants or Canadian-born - is free from acts of domestic violence,” said Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur. “In challenging economic times, it is more important than ever to meet our commitment to help women and children who aren’t safe in their own homes.”

“Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc. is very pleased with the recent funding announcement by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. We applaud the government’s commitment in restoring funding levels for shelters to pre-1995 levels. This announcement is very timely for our shelter as we are currently experiencing a much higher demand for our residential services than ever before,” said Dale Kenney, Women in Crisis (Algoma), director of community relations and Finance.

Quick facts

- Statistics Canada estimates that only 28 percent of victims of spousal violence report it to the police

- The Neighbours, Friends and Families public education campaign provides information to help people recognize the signs of abuse and know what to do

- The Ministry of Community and Social Services provides $136 million annually to programs that help reduce domestic violence, a 42 per cent increase since 2004.

Learn more

Learn more about the government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan at this website.

To locate a shelter, visit here, or contact the Assaulted Women’s Help Line at (416) 863-0511 in the Greater Toronto Area, or toll-free anywhere in Ontario at 1-866-863-0511.

TTY service is available at 1-866-863-7868.

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