Montreal, 16 March 2012
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support to Shield of Athena Family Services for a project that will help address and prevent family violence and violence against women and girls committed in the name of “honour.” He was accompanied by Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.

“Our Government is committed to protecting women, girls and other vulnerable persons from all forms of violence, and to hold offenders accountable for their acts,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Honour crimes are intolerable and barbaric, and violate Canadian laws and values. The support announced today will serve to raise awareness and will contribute to preventing such heinous crimes.”

Shield of Athena Family Services is a non-profit organization for victims of family violence that offers culturally and linguistically adapted support, intervention and prevention services, as well as emergency shelter to women and their children.

The support announced today will be used towards the project Contributing to the Prevention of Honour Crimes and Violence against Women and Girls: Developing a Community Screening, Information and Training Strategy, which will train community liaison workers to promote awareness in their communities, identify at-risk situations and refer potential victims for assistance.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada, while strengthening families and communities.

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