The first in a series of six community forums on family violence will be held tonight in Montague.
Premier Pat Binns advised that the forums are being conducted by the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention to respond to community concerns about family violence.
"People will have the opportunity at the forums to express their concerns and suggest ways to prevent and reduce family violence at the community and provincial levels," advised Premier Binns.
Information will be presented at the community forums by Honourable Marion Reid, Chair of the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention; Rona Brown, Provincial Family Violence Consultant; and a resource panel, including Corporal Richard Thibault of the RCMP; Joanne Ings, Transition House Association and the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention; and Patsy MacLean of the Attorney General's Office. Small group discussions and a question and answer period will follow.
Honourable Reid advised that all Islanders are welcome and encouraged to attend.
"Input received through the forums will be used by the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention to develop priorities for the next five-year period. This is an important opportunity for Islanders to become more aware of the issue, and how they can help stop the violence that is happening right now in every Island community," she said.
Community forums will be held in Montague, Monday, November 5 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Souris, Wednesday, November 7 at Souris High School; Charlottetown, Wednesday, November 14 at Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean; Summerside, Monday, November 19 at Athena Consolidated School; Abram-Village, Wednesday, November 21 at École Evangéline, (en français); and in Elmsdale, Wednesday, November 28 at Westisle Composite High School.
A background information paper on family violence in Prince Edward Island is now available at all Access PEI Centres or on the Prince Edward Island government web site at www.gov.pe.ca/hss/familyviolence.php3.
Members of the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention are available to meet privately with people who don't feel safe coming to the forums.
Islanders can provide written input anonymously through postage-paid addressed envelopes now available at Access PEI centres. Comments can also be provided online.
For more information on the forums or for other assistance, please contact a community outreach worker in your area or Cindy Ferguson at 902 368 5967, cferguson@gov.pe.ca