Funding Programs Outlined For Missing & Murdered Women Cases

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. -  At the end of October, the federal government announced it would invest $10-million dollars into seven concrete steps aimed at addressing the hundreds of cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women across the country.

Today, Ottawa is out with details of those steps.  The first three deal with improvements to law enforcement and the justice system, including: the development of a National Police Support Centre for Missing Persons, improvements to the Canadian Police Information Centre, proposed Criminal Code amendments and improved information-sharing methods for law enforcement and the justice system.

The remaining four involving funding programs available to Aboriginal and community groups and provinces and territories:

1. Victim Fund - Victim Services:  provinces and territories can apply for funding to develop culturally appropriate victim services for Aboriginal people
2. Justice Partnership and Innovation Program - Access to Justice for Aboriginal Women:  Aboriginal and other community organizations can apply for funding to support the development of school-based and community programs
3. Justice Partnership and Innovation Program - Awareness Materials for Aboriginal Communities:  Aboriginal and Public Legal Education organizations can apply for funding to support the development, revision, translation or distribution of awareness materials and activities that contribute to breaking intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse in Aboriginal communities that lead Aboriginal women and children to face higher risks of violence.
   
   
4. Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program:  Aboriginal communities can apply for funding and assistance to develop community safety plans to enhance the safety of women living in Aboriginal communities. 

Inquiries regarding the first three programs are being directed to the Federal Department of Justice, Programs Branch, while questions and applications regarding the fourth program should go to Public Safety Canada.

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