Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a vision of a strong, prosperous North. We know that creating this North starts with healthy, safe communities where people can prosper, free from the fear of violence.
October 5 to 11, 2014, was the 14th Annual Family
Violence Awareness Week. There were several events held across the Northwest Territories to bring attention to the serious ongoing problem we have with family violence among our residents. These events included a radio phone-in show in Fort Good Hope, school presentations with elders and youth in Tuktoyaktuk, workshops on the Hay River Reserve, four events in Fort Liard, including a community potluck, Fort Simpson high school students decorated and displayed anti-violence T-shirts and Inuvik held a scavenger hunt and barbeque. I want to congratulate all the communities who participated in these and other activities.
Northwest Territories Family Violence Awareness Week draws attention to the issue of domestic violence and encourages residents to stand together to stop the violence. This year's focus was on the bystander in family violence: co-workers, friends, family members and neighbours.
This is challenging, Mr. Speaker. How do individuals and government respond to what is
often viewed as a private family matter or a matter for the police? I believe the role of government is to provide programs and supports to help prevent family violence and treat its impacts and to also demonstrate leadership.
The Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Justice provide many of the programs and services our residents need to prevent and to deal with family violence. Their work is often guided by the advice and input from the Coalition Against Family Violence. Members will recall that the coalition is a multi-agency group working collectively to reduce the incidence of and to more effectively respond to family violence in the Northwest Territories.
It has been through the work of the coalition that many of the more innovative approaches to addressing family violence have been developed, including emergency protection orders and the men’s healing program. I want to thank all members of the coalition for their ongoing commitment and dedication, in particular the Status of Women Council, which chairs and provides administration for the coalition.
Government leaders also have a role in stopping family violence. Earlier this month I met with the Northwest Territories Metis Nation and with the Tlicho Government. We discussed the impact family violence has on our communities and how we need to demonstrate leadership and take a stand against family violence as governments.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to stopping family violence. It is a serious problem that impacts all Northerners, and I will continue to raise this issue with all of our Aboriginal government partners in the weeks and months ahead.
We are all affected by family violence, which means we all have an interest in stopping it. By working together with the Coalition Against Family Violence, with our Aboriginal government partners and with communities, the Government of the Northwest Territories is dedicated to improving the safety, security and well-being of all of our residents.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.