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November 14, 2003

GRANT TO HELP COMMITTEE ADDRESS HOW COURT HANDLES ISSUES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

OTTAWA -- The Justice Options Steering Committee will receive $71,620 for an 18-month initiative to change the way courts addresses issues of domestic violence. Shawn Murphy M.P. (Hillsborough) announced the grant today on behalf of the Honourable Jean Augustine, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women).

"The Justice Options Steering Committee is working to ensure women are treated fairly and respectfully by the courts," said Mr. Murphy. "With the help of this new initiative, women who are caught in a cycle of domestic violence or spousal abuse need not feel they are without recourse to justice."

"The justice system has not always been a welcoming place for women who live with the violence of spousal abuse," said Secretary of State Augustine, "Through this initiative we are working to make positive changes to ensure that women are not re-victimized when they take legal action against their aggressor."

The funding announced today will support "Designing Domestic Violence Treatment Options for the Prince Edward Island Criminal Justice System," the fourth phase in the committee's "Justice Options for Women Who Are Victims of Violence" initiative. This phase will introduce Domestic Violence Court process in Prince Edward Island that will correct shortcomings of the present criminal justice system, this will lessen the incidence of systemic violence against women. A working group consisting of representatives from all areas of the criminal justice system will be formed in order to advance this action.

The Justice Options Steering Committee is a network of community and government organizations committed to ensuring that women are not re-victimized by justice processes and that women's voices are included in the development of policies and programs.

Status of Women Canada is the federal government department working to promote gender equality and the full participation of all women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.