Preventing gender-based violence in Alberta

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by ahnationtalk on May 14, 202498 Views

May 14, 2024

All Albertans should be able to live their lives free from fear or violence. In Alberta, two in three females and one in three males have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Alberta’s government continues to work to reduce those numbers and improve safety.

Education and social changes are needed to put an end to gender-based violence. To further this education, Alberta’s government is providing $2 million in prevention-focused grants to support programs that target the causes of gender-based violence and encourage collaboration among non-profit organizations. The funding will support 11 organizations in their work to prevent gender-based violence across the province. This is the first time Alberta’s government has provided funding specifically for gender-based violence prevention.

“As we develop our 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence, we have heard loud and clear, we must invest in prevention programming so we can stop the violence before it begins. Thank you to the survivors, Indigenous women, experts and those on the ground who are supporting survivors and making their voices heard.”

Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

Engagement to support the development of Alberta’s 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence and support survivors is currently underway. More than 60 engagement sessions have taken place in 11 communities across the province with stakeholders and the public, including Indigenous communities and organizations, gender-based violence organizations, subject matter experts and survivors. This strategy will build upon other actions already underway such as the Premier’s Council on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Plus People and the implementation of the Human Trafficking Action Plan.

While the engagement on the 10-year strategy continues, Alberta’s government is not waiting to take action. In the last year, Alberta’s government has announced several projects focused on supporting survivors and families, including $10 million in additional funding to women’s shelters, $4 million in annual grants to Indigenous-led prevention projects, almost $4 million to support sexual assault services and $1 million to support sexual assault survivors in rural areas.

“Women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and organizations that support survivors are at the forefront of gender-based violence prevention. Our government is proud to further enhance their efforts to bring an end to both gender-based violence and the trauma that comes with it.”

Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services

“This investment from Alberta’s government demonstrates a strong commitment to working together to end gender-based violence. We are honoured to be part of this initiative, expanding upon our work in the communities we serve by focusing on prevention strategies with youth and continuing to bring hope and healing for those impacted by sexual violence.”

Roxane Tiessen, executive director, Saffron Centre

“As a leader of an organization that supports those that experience intimate partner violence and witnesses the constant need for our services, it is impactful that the Alberta government is prioritizing gender-based violence prevention. These funds will help agencies like Riseup do the work needed to see meaningful change.”

Ryley Miller, executive director, Riseup Society Alberta

Quick facts

The grant recipients for the $2 million prevention grant include:
- Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
- Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills
- Camrose Women’s Shelter Society
- Centre for Sexuality Society
- Fear is Not Love Society
- Radiance Family
- Riseup Society Alberta
- Safe Horizon
- Saffron Centre
- The Jessica Martel Foundation
- YWCA Banff

Related information

Preventing gender-based violence in Alberta

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