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May 11, 2011
New Calgary prevention projects benefit victims of domestic and elder abuse
Calgary... The Alberta government is helping the Kerby Centre and the Young Women’s Christian Association of Calgary (YWCA) implement new projects for victims of elder abuse and domestic violence.
“Family violence and elder abuse aren’t just social problems, they are crimes made worse by where they occur, the sanctuary of the home and family,” said Verlyn Olson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “This funding will help these two worthy organizations continue their leadership role in the community of helping victims heal and restore their lives.”
The Calgary projects receiving a total of $2.1 million in provincial government funding through the Safe Communities Innovation Fund are:
- Calgary Elder Abuse Response Team: $1.4 million to the Kerby Centre for a multidisciplinary response team of police investigators, social workers and health care professionals who assess the needs of elder abuse victims and then provide the necessary follow-up services; and
- Reducing the Risk of Family Violence and its Effects in High Conflict Parenting/Custody: $750,000 to the YWCA of Calgary to address the risk of domestic violence after marital separation and the risk of criminal involvement by children exposed to domestic violence. This project provides counseling interventions for parents and children as well as trauma therapy for children exposed to domestic violence. It also provides legal representation to advocate on behalf of the children’s best interests.
“Kerby Centre is very excited about this generous grant,” said Hank Heerema, President of the Kerby Centre Board of Directors. “It is of crucial importance in developing the new response model for elder abuse in Calgary. With our partners the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Family Services, we will be able to ensure seniors involved in family violence have someone to turn to and a safe place to come to.”
“We are very eager to launch this intervention program,” said to Sue Tomney, CEO of the YWCA of Calgary. “The program aims to prevent the risk of continued domestic violence after marital separation in high conflict custody cases, and prevent children exposed to domestic violence from becoming involved in the criminal justice system. This grant will allow us to work with families to provide counselling and prevent future victims of domestic abuse.”
The Kerby Centre project is a partnership among Calgary Family Services, Calgary Police Service, CONNECT Family and Sexual Abuse Network. The YWCA of Calgary project is a partnership among Region 3 Child and Family Services Authority, Children’s Legal and Educational Resource Centre.
The Safe Communities Innovation Fund builds on the work of the Safe Communities Initiative to address crime on an immediate basis, as well as over the long term. For more information please visit: http://www.safecommunities.alberta.ca/scif.
Building on the work of the Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force, the Government of Alberta’s Crime Prevention Framework is our province’s strategic roadmap for crime prevention. In addition, the framework emphasizes that crime prevention is a shared responsibility by individual citizens, families, neighbourhoods, municipalities, community-based service delivery agencies, the private sector and all levels of government.
The Alberta government is working to build a better Alberta by fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Julie Siddons
Public Affairs Officer
Justice Communications
780-427-8530
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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