Sexualized violence strategy for Nova Scotia to cost $6M
The Nova Scotia government says it will dedicate $6 million in funding to deal with the issue of sexualized violence.
The funding will help to better coordinate supports for victims, help fund public education and awareness, as well as "continued community engagement on prevention," according to today's response released by the province.
Up to $500,000 of the total funding will support youth-run programs to educate kids from early elementary to high school about the importance of consent and other issues surrounding sexual violence.
Premier Stephen McNeil and Joanne Bernard, Nova Scotia's community services minister, launched Breaking the Silence: A Coordinated Response to Sexual Violence in Nova Scotia today in Kentville.
"Sexual violence is a traumatic and pervasive problem in all of society and our province is no exception," said McNeil.
"This strategy calls on Nova Scotians to work together to better understand and prevent sexual violence in our communities."
According to today's announcement, over the next two years the province plans to implement the following actions:
- Help people get urgent support faster through existing crisis lines, online and other new technologies
- Expand the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in Sydney and western Nova Scotia
- Create nine community support networks to coordinate counselling and support, visibility of services and help with navigation
- Establish a "prevention innovation fund to support best practices, research and evaluation"
Rehtaeh Parsons's father pleased
Glen Canning, father of Rehtaeh Parsons, says he's pleased the province listened and is taking steps to target the age group most affected by sexualized violence.
Parsons's family alleged she was sexually assaulted in November 2011 and bullied for months after a digital photo of the alleged assault was passed around her school.
Police said they looked into the allegations of sexual assault and an inappropriate photo, but concluded there weren't enough grounds to lay charges after consulting with the prosecution service.
A 20-year-old man pleaded guilty last November to distributing a sexually graphic image of Parsons, who was 15 years old at the time of the offence.
Another 20-year-old man pleaded guilty to making child pornography by taking a photo of the accused having sex with Parsons, who was taken off life-support after attempting suicide in 2013.
The child pornography charges were laid after Parsons died.
