November 19, 2013
Men's Resource Centre Continues Supporting Male Victims of Family Violence with Financial Help from Province
– – –International Men's Day Recognizes Important Role of Men, Boys to Community, Family, Child Care: Ministers Bjornson, Irvin-Ross
The Government of Manitoba is supporting the work of the Men’s Resource Centre in Winnipeg as it helps men escape from abusive and unhealthy relationships, Housing and Community Development Minister Peter Bjornson and Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said today.
“All Manitobans need positive relationships in their lives and we all need to promote gender equality and positive role models,” Minister Bjornson said, in acknowledgment of International Men’s Day. “It is also important to celebrate the contributions men and boys make to community, family, marriage and child care.”
The province is supplying new financial support of $100,000 to the resource centre for its family violence prevention services, which help men involved in unhealthy relationships. Additional new funding of more than $75,000 will enable the centre to continue offering the Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse program. In addition, $25,000 was provided under the province’s Community Places Program toward the purchase and renovation of the resource centre site.
“It’s important to acknowledge International Men’s Day and the good work done by the Men’s Resource Centre,” said Minister Irvin-Ross. “We also support other counselling services and information resources for men affected by family violence across Manitoba.”
The Men’s Resource Centre, established in June 2001, is the first men’s resource centre funded in the province and is now administered by the Laurel Centre.
The centre will also continue to offer emergency shelter as an alternative to hotel placements for men who need accommodation for reasons of family violence. This part of the program is receiving more than $33,000 in new annual funding, which was announced earlier this month.
“We recognize it takes a great deal of courage for individuals to share their stories of survival and we want to make sure that all individuals – women, children and men – have access to services and supports that address their unique needs,” said Minister Bjornson.
“Family violence is wrong, regardless of the gender of the victim, and we must support all victims of violence,” said Minister Irvin-Ross.
The Men’s Resource Centre has been instrumental in breaking men’s silence about abuse, challenging stereotypes of men’s vulnerability and victimization and providing a supportive environment where men are free to discuss their experiences without fear of judgment.
More information on Manitoba’s multi-year domestic violence prevention strategy is available at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fvpp/index.html. Confidential help is available at any time at 1-877-977-0007 (toll‑free).
- 30 -