News Release Archive
JUSTICE/COMMUNITY SERVICES--FUNDING-VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES
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Justice Minister Bill Gillis and Community Services Minister
Jim Smith today announced the projects which will be funded
through the Framework for Action Against Family Violence.
The projects will provide enhanced services to victims in
all areas of the province, and have been submitted by
interagency committees on family violence throughout Nova
Scotia. The funding of these projects is part of a
comprehensive strategy for improving the response of the
justice system to family violence.
A significant component of the framework is the funding
program to support communities in enhancing victims
services. Community organizations submitted proposals based
on their assessment of existing services and community
requirements, after consultation with the Departments of
Justice and Community Services, and the Family Violence
Prevention Initiative.
"We recognized that communities know best what services are
required," said Dr. Gillis. "The calibre of the submissions
we received certainly underscores that fact."
"Our goal is to better support victims of family violence
within their communities," said Dr. Smith. "The input we
have received from the interagency groups will help to
achieve that objective."
The projects that will receive funding represent a number of
different models of victim support. They include Chrysalis
House Association, which will receive a total of $78,750 for
a transition house-based advocacy service. The Cape Breton
Interagency will receive $105,000 for a police-based crisis
intervention service. Tearmann House, on behalf of the
Antigonish, Guysborough and Pictou County Interagency
Centres, will receive $78,750 for transition house-based
advocacy service. The Cumberland Interagency Committee will
receive $40,000 for a transition house-based crisis
intervention. A police-based crisis intervention
co-ordinator has also been approved for the Truro area
working through the RCMP. The Halifax region will receive
$40,000 for a community outreach advocacy worker. This will
compliment the proposed police-based crisis intervention
that will be provided by the new Regional Police Force in
Metro. In Lunenburg/Queens, $52,500 will be provided for
police-based crisis intervention. Finally, there will be a
police-based crisis intervention position to serve the
counties of Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby working through
the RCMP. Funding for the service, to be co-ordinated
through the RCMP, totals $105,000.
Interagency committees are composed of representatives of
various government and non-government organizations
dedicated to addressing family violence issues in their
communities.
The criteria used to evaluate the proposals included:
community needs and how critical service gaps were
addressed; partnerships between agencies and organizations;
use of existing resources (while avoiding duplication of
services) and the ability to serve the greatest number of
victims with available resources.
The members of the evaluation committee included
representatives of the Departments of Justice and Community
Services, the Public Prosecution Service and the Family
Violence Prevention Initiative. The funding is for an
18-month period and totals $500,000 for all projects.
Response to the request for proposals was very positive,
with several interagency groups asking for additional time
to prepare proposals for submission.
Another vital component of the framework is the training
program for all justice workers. Program Co-ordinator
Raymond Cusson expects to begin training in March. The
course outline includes discussions on such topics as the
dynamics of abuse, laws relating to family violence and
procedures for responding to family violence incidents. The
course will also involve participation from the community.
In this way, front-line workers will help to provide insight
and information on the reality of dealing with family
violence in the community.
The Framework for Action calls for a pro-arrest,
pro-prosecution policy with interagency co-ordination and
accountability measures. These initiatives are designed to
ensure the justice system improves its response to family
violence incidents, and enhances services to victims. "We
have a lot of work to do, but we are moving forward," said
Dr. Gillis.
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EDITORS NOTE: For further information on the specific
projects, and the agencies involved, you may contact the
following:
Chrysalis House Association--Mary DeWolfe 902-679-6544
Cape Breton Interagency Committee--Bea LeBlanc 902-562-4666
Tearmann House--Karen O'Hara 902-752-1633
Cumberland Interagency Committee-Sandra Mackey 902-667-3336
Halifax Region--Irene Smith 902-422-4240
Lunenburg/Queens--Chief Brent Crowhurst 902-527-8771
R.C.M.P.--Sgt. Gary Humphreys 902-426-7075
Contact: Michele McKinnon 902-424-6811
Department of Justice
Judy Jackson 902-424-4283
Department of Community Services
trp Feb. 16, 1996 - 11:14 p.m.
