News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

April 8, 2019

Province Announces New Funding to Support Family Violence Prevention




The Manitoba government is providing $176,000 in new funding through the Family Violence Prevention Program to support women’s resource centres in Winnipeg and Brandon, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today while at the West Central Women’s Resource Centre.

“Our government values and recognizes the critical work and resources these centres provide to women, their children and the community as a whole,” said Squires.  “When women experience relationship or sexual violence, it is crucial that services are accessible and available in their local community.  Today’s announcement will ensure these centres can continue to develop positive relationships with the community, and be a safe place of healing and growth for women and their families.”

The minister noted the West Central Women’s Resource Centre (WCWRC) is receiving annual funding for the first time, officially bringing it under the umbrella of the Family Violence Prevention Program.

The centre offers a range of services to support safer, healthier lifestyles for women and their families including counselling, training and skill building, Indigenous programming, housing and income programs, newcomer settlement services, drop-in access to phones, computers and showers, and child-minding services.

The WCWRC serves an average of 100 women per day, many of whom are Indigenous or newcomers.  The centre will receive $118,000 in annual funding starting in 2019-20.

“This partnership with the province and the Family Violence Prevention Program will change lives,” said Lorie English, executive director, West Central Women’s Resource Centre.  “Manitoba has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the country and with this generous funding, we can work to address its root causes and halt the cycle of violence by using a holistic approach involving women, men and youth.”

The minister also announced $58,000 in new funding for the Women’s Resource Centre in Brandon, which offers crisis intervention, advocacy, information and referral, protection planning, individual counselling in both English and Spanish, support groups, outreach and children’s support services.

“This is a valuable investment in a variety of programs and resources for Manitoba women and families to help end the cycle of violence,” said Families Minister Heather Stefanson.  “These community-led centres support women so they can build safer lives for themselves and their children, with a focus on safety, healing and wellness.”

The Family Violence Prevention Program funds programs that support families experiencing family violence.  The program provides funding to community-based organizations that offer special services for abused women and their children, and for men living with family violence including:
•    10 women’s shelters;
•    nine women’s resource centres;
•    four second-stage housing programs; and
•    14 specialized programs that provide counselling, support and training for service providers.

More information on the Family Violence Prevention Program is available on the Manitoba Status of Women website at www.gov.mb.ca/msw/fvpp/index.html.

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