Alberta sets strategies for family violence and bullying

Community Action, Oct 25, 2004

EDMONTON -- The Government of Alberta has released a report outlining key areas for action arising from the Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying.

The roundtable report, Finding Solutions Together, was developed by government based on what was heard during the roundtable process.

Highlights from the report include:

* establishing a community incentive program to support the development of a co-ordinated response to family violence and bullying at the local level;

* establishing a single, cross-sector entity for province-wide leadership on family violence and bullying in the longer term;

* implementing a cross-ministry education and awareness bullying prevention strategy; and expanding and enhancing cross-sector training.

The report outlines government's long-term objectives and highlights activities that are currently underway or in development with community partners. There are five key areas for action in the report: social change; provincial leadership; a collaborative, co-ordinated community response; services and supports; and accountability.

Some of the strategies in the report are already underway. The Alberta government, for example, plans to spend $2 million from its current budget to help communities across the province prevent family violence. Longer term strategies will be reviewed by each ministry as part of their business planning process.

The Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying was held in May in Calgary after seven months of public consultation with 3,500 Albertans.

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