The Impact of Family Violence: A South Asian Perspective
May 5, 2011

Good morning.

Thank you for your kind introduction.

And thank you to the Social Services Network and to Toronto and York Regional Police for hosting this important forum.

I would like to recognize my colleagues Sophia Aggelonitis and Bas Balkissoon who are with us today. As well as Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission Barbara Hall.

I would also like to recognize the work and commitment of everyone gathered here today – community service providers, police, educators, the media – to raising awareness about domestic violence.

In particular, I want to thank the Social Services Network and all of the agencies present, who day after day provide service to newcomers, women and their children.

You are front line responders, and you come face to face with the physical and emotional trauma of abuse and its impact on our communities far too frequently.

But, most importantly, you bring comfort and security to women at a most vulnerable time.
When I read the invitation for today's event, it said:

"Together we can make a difference."

And I want to tell you how true this statement is.

With so many experts here in this room, I know you all understand that each of us has a role to play in preventing domestic violence.  And we each must play that role.

One role we all share however, is to talk about it.

The topics you have been discussing today shed light on challenging issues, like the impact of violence on the entire family, appropriate community response and the need for cultural understanding of these complex issues. 

And these realities are not always discussed in a public forum like this one.

I have a great interest in the issues to be discussed today -- not only because I am the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, but because helping women who have faced the difficult challenge and consequences of domestic violence has been a significant part of my professional life.

Before entering politics, I worked as a lawyer and an advocate with abused women.

And now, as Minister, I continue to focus on preventing domestic violence and ending violence against women.

It is an important priority shared by the McGuinty government.

And although your focus today is on family violence within the South Asian community, the reality is that domestic violence is not specific to any one community.

Woman abuse is a global, societal issue: pervasive across all socio-economic levels, and encompassing all races, ethnicities, ages, abilities and sexual orientation.

Which is why, to address this problem, we must start from a basic principle: all women have the right to feel and be safe in their homes, communities and workplaces.

Since 2003, our government has worked to keep this principle at the forefront of our minds by investing in initiatives that protect women and children from violence.

In fact, we invest $208 million each year, including $87 million for our Domestic Violence Action Plan.

Part of that plan includes support for an important service for women whose first language is not French or English – the Language Interpreters Service.

It means that in times of crisis, a woman can talk about her situation and get help in the language in which she is most comfortable.

And in March, as part of our government's Sexual Violence Action plan, I announced $1 million to expand services to victims of sexual violence, in addition to domestic violence.

While these are important and effective steps to support women, we also know that early intervention is key to preventing violence.

That is where the Neighbours, Friends and Families public education campaign comes in.

NFF teaches people to recognize domestic violence, and learn what to do to help.

The program has been adapted for the workplace, and for Aboriginal and francophone populations.

And just last week, I was proud to announce the expansion of the campaign into immigrant and refugee communities so that more women in abusive relationships or who are at risk of abuse can get help.

It is clear, by working together, progress has been made to move the topic of domestic violence into the public eye. It is clear, by working together, we have supported the many courageous women who have left abusive partners.

But, more work still needs to be done, and I know we are all committed to doing that work.

That commitment is evident in today's event – we are taking another step forward to ensure women and their children can be safe in their homes, community and workplace.

My thanks to each and every one of you for helping to improve the lives of women and children in Ontario.

Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you.