February 12, 2021
More than 100 cards are in circulation and will be delivered to the offices of the two ministers.Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, February 12, 2021 - In the week leading up to Valentine's Day, the ministers responsible for the sector of services for victims of violence will receive a variety of cards from across the province. The Honourable Bruce Fitch (Minister of Social Development) is responsible for funding shelters in the province and the Honourable Tammy Scott-Wallace (Minister Responsible for Women’s Equality) is responsible for funding for 2nd stage housing in the province.
These cards, signed by workers in shelters and second stage housing, contain messages inviting the ministers to: "demonstrate their love for the sector" by taking a stand on a variety of issues affecting their services and the women they serve. The “Valentines” send messages about chronic underfunding, pay equity, safe and affordable housing and sustainable wages for staff.
This innovative campaign was initiated by the Réseau des services pour victimes de violence du Nouveau-Brunswick with participation by the NB South Central Transition House & Second Stage Coalition who represent the transition houses and second stage housing programs across the province.
Cards with similar messages were also sent to many MLAs across the province. It is estimated that hundreds of cards, in total, are in circulation at this time.
These organizations remind that services for abused women and children, in NB, have always been underfunded. The services must then fill this gap through donations and fundraising in their communities. In addition, on holidays such as Valentine's Day, many services in NB see their calls increase, coming from women victims of various forms of violence. With the advent of the pandemic, the operations of some services have also been affected.
The goal of the project was to remind the politicians get to the “heart” of the matter; a spokesperson adds.
Réseau des services pour victimes de violence du Nouveau-Brunswick, inc. is a provincial organization representing shelters, second stage housing, violence prevention centers and sexual assault services serving francophone women and children victims of violence.
New Brunswick South Central Transition House & Second Stage Coalition, Inc. is a provincial organization representing shelters, second stage housing and sexual assault services serving anglophone women and children victims of violence.
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For more information
Catherine Roy Comeau
Coordinator
Réseau Victimes Violence NB
(506) 743-5449
Debrah Westerburg
Coordinator
NB Women’s Shelters
(506) 328-9605
