Government declares gender based violence is an epidemic, invests $8M towards ending it

    Thursday, 28 May 2026 06:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Paula Sheppard of Corner Brook’s Status of Women and the Women’s Centre was in St. John’s for yesterday’s announcement and says a task force is being created but a lot of consultation is needed.   

    Gender based violence is now an epidemic in this province and government is investing $8M towards ending it. Paula Sheppard of Corner Brook’s Status of Women and the Women’s Centre was in St. John’s for yesterday’s announcement. She says government is creating a task force that will include survivors, advocates, and others, but a lot of consultation is needed.   

    Sheppard says government seems to understand the severity of what is happening in our province with rates going up and more people reporting. She says unfortunately, things are not getting better with addressing gender based violence and more resources and funding is needed. 

    Sheppard says she hears from a lot of people living with violence and struggles with the justice system, as well as lack of support and housing. She says ending gender based violence needs to include many government departments.

     

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