Committee formed to identify ways to end violence against females

Justice and Public Safety Minister Andrew Parsons and Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women president Linda Ross will co-chair a committee aimed at finding ways to make Newfoundland and Labrador a safer place for women and girls.

The committee will be made up of government members and community groups to identify possible solutions to end violence against females.

“It takes a community to end violence against women and girls,” Parsons said Wednesday. “There’s been a huge public discussion on this lately. I mean, I actually attended the In Her Name vigil (at Bannerman Park) recently, and these things resonate. They speak to you,” Parson said.

The Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls represents a group of government and community representatives who have experience and knowledge of issues surrounding violence against women and girls. The goal is to share information, exchange ideas and come up with action plans to end gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Bringing key stakeholders together to respectfully discuss and collaborate on solutions to end violence against women and girls is critical,” Ross said. Invitations are to go out to prospective committee members this week.