News Release
November 24, 2006
MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT HELPING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Interpreter Services To Help Victims In the Language They Best Understand
QUEEN'S PARK — The Ontario government is investing $2.1 million in interpreter services so that victims of domestic violence get the help they need in the language they know best, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, Sandra Pupatello announced today.
“Newcomers sometimes face language barriers that make it difficult for them to get help in times of need and distress,” Colle said from Toronto’s Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. “We want to ensure that we can provide appropriate support to those in need.”
“Our government is helping women with limited English-language skills access the healthcare, legal and social services they need to escape abusive relationships,” said Pupatello who was at the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, which is receiving a $95,000 grant.
The Language Interpreter Services program provides grants to 10 agencies across the province to deliver interpretation services that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in over 60 languages. The program is part of the government’s comprehensive, four-year $68 million Domestic Violence Action Plan, which includes enhanced counselling and housing supports for victims, more training for frontline workers, and improvements to the justice system.
“We are pleased that this government recognizes the need to invest in services that enable many non-English speaking women who are abused to access help to break the cycle of violence,” said Nora Angeles, Interpreter Services Director at the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, which is receiving $488,000 in funding.
Investment in the Language Interpreter Services program is the latest way the McGuinty government has supported vulnerable women. Other initiatives include:
- Investing $4 million over two years in the Employment Training Pilot Program to help vulnerable women develop new skills, find employment, and achieve economic independence
- Investing over $58 million over four years to boost community supports such as shelters, crisis lines and counselling
- $2.7 million for Information Technology Training for Women (ITTW), a program that enables women to secure employment, further training and certification in the IT sector
- $4.9 million for EqualityRules.ca, a public education campaign targeting children and youth and the adults who influence them, to change attitudes and mobilize communities to stop violence before it happens, and
- $5.9 million to train front-line workers, professionals, neighbours, friends and families across Ontario to recognize the signs of abuse, and help women and children get the supports they need.
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Contacts:
Rick Byun, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-3460
Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010
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