Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question 465-12(3), asked by Mr. Charles Dent on March 11, 1993, regarding family violence prevention workshops.
The Department of Social Services has been offering training sessions to community workers in the areas of family violence and child sexual abuse. Most of the training initiatives are directed at shelter workers, community social workers, RCMP, mental health specialists and other agencies working in the area of domestic violence. The training session in Rankin Inlet is an example of the department's commitment for training initiatives for community workers in the areas of child sexual abuse and/or family violence.
A counselling level I course will be held in Yellowknife on March 16 to 25, 1993. Nine participants from various communities in the Northwest Territories will attend this session which is part of an ongoing four year training initiative for shelter workers. In the fiscal year 1993-94, eight to ten training sessions will be held in various regions for shelter workers. These sessions are specifically designed for community family violence workers and include sessions on healing, counselling techniques and an overview of family violence.
On March 21 to 26, 1993, there will be a conference on family violence and child sexual abuse entitled "Strengthening Our Communities." This conference will be held in Fort Simpson and will provide community workers with an understanding of child sexual abuse from an aboriginal perspective. These workshops are ongoing and held in most communities throughout the Northwest Territories. A conference will be held in Hay River on April 3 to 6, 1993, entitled "The Spirit of Northern Healing." Family violence and child sexual abuse will be addressed at this conference. The Department of Social Services is contributing to this conference which is a cooperative effort between many departments and agencies. An inter-agency workshop for the Baffin region is being planned for some time in the coming year.
As you can see, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Social Services is committed to providing community workers with the necessary skills and training to address family violence and child sexual abuse at the community level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have more returns to make, if I may.