Ceremony Marks Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

NOTE: A social media version of this release with hi-res, downloadable photos, audio and video clips will be available later today, Dec. 6, at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2011-12-06-Day-of-Remembrance/ .

Today is a time to remember women who suffer from domestic violence, and those who have died because of it.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, held Dec. 6, was established to honour 14 young women who died at École Polytechnique in Montreal. It raises awareness of the plight of women across the country.

"All Nova Scotians should live free from domestic violence and abuse – in their homes, in their families and in their communities," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Government is committed to help ensure the right programs and services are in place and that people know how to access them. Our Domestic Violence Action Plan is a key component in fulfilling that commitment to making our communities safer."

Announced last December, it is the province's first formal plan to address domestic violence. The cross-government commitment includes recommendations from community organizations that are on the front lines, dealing with the issues every day. It identifies actions to make it easier for victims to access services.

"We've finished the first year of a three-year plan and I'm proud of the progress we have made so far," said the premier. "But we recognize that we still need to do more."

Since the release of the plan, some of the actions underway include:

• a new online information centre and a dedicated court program in Sydney to help women and girls escape abuse
• developing a Domestic Violence Court Program in Sydney to improve how cases are processed and managed, and provides more support for victims
• developing a family violence and workplace program to help employers and co-workers understand family violence
• the Neighbour's Friends and Families campaign to engage those closest to the situation to provide support and not be silent
• connecting with the Tripartite Forum Justice Working Committee to reach out to Mi'kmaq women who may be facing violence

"We all share a responsibility to make sure people are safe from domestic violence," said Marilyn More, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council of the Status of Women. "It is essential that government and community groups work collaboratively to help ensure that all women, children and men are free from domestic violence."

"There is a long history of community and government working together on violence against women," Bea LeBlanc, chair of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Between 2000 and 2009, there were 25 family-related homicides in Nova Scotia, one-quarter of solved homicides in the province.

Statistics show that almost all victims were women, almost half of the cases were not the first incident between the partners, children were present about one-third of the time, and alcohol or drugs had been used in about 40 per cent of the cases.

For more information, visit www.women.gov.ns.ca.