The Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women would like to remind the public about the weekly vigils against violence held each Tuesday. The next vigil will be held Tuesday, August 7th at the Charlottetown and Summerside Courthouses, from 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm.
The August 7th vigil coincides with the release of the final report from the Justice Options for Women who are Victims of Violence project. This study asked women who are victims of violence about their perspectives, needs and issues in relation to justice. The report recommends a more consistent approach to accessing justice and other services for victims of violence; community education and mandating an authority for the whole system including developing a process to ensure accountability. Copies of this report will be available at the vigil on August 7th.
The weekly silent vigils began on July 24th as a response to public outrage with a system that fails to protect vulnerable women and children from violence. The vigils offer the public the opportunity to gather and a make a public statement with their presence.
The women’s organizations who have been responsible for organizing the weekly vigils have been invited to meet with the Provincial Attorney General, Jeff Lantz to discuss perspectives for change.
From more information about the Charlottetown vigils, contact the Advisory Council at 368-4510. For the Summerside vigils, contact the East Prince Women’s Information Centre at 436-9856.
Contact: Heidi Rankin Director PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women PO Box 2000 (3 Queen Street) Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7N8 tel: 902 368-4510 fax: 902 368-4516 email peiacsw@isn.net www.gov.pe.ca/acsw/