Government of Canada highlights an initiative with Lakehead University to prevent youth dating violence
News release
November 1, 2024 | Thunder Bay, ON
Youth dating violence can have long-lasting health and social consequences, including physical injury, mental health impacts, higher-risk of substance use and difficulties in future relationships. The Government of Canada is committed to providing the support to help youth develop and maintain healthy relationships throughout their lives.
Today, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, on behalf of Minister Saks, highlighted $980,595, over the next four years, to Lakehead University for programing that focuses on youth dating violence prevention. This project is one of 11 announced on October 17, 2024, providing almost $14.5 million over the next five years, that will promote healthy relationships through the delivery and testing of innovative, evidence-based interventions, as well as training for service providers and educators. These initiatives will help foster safe environments where young people can form positive, healthy relationships free from abuse. By supporting these efforts, we can help reduce the prevalence of dating violence and help provide a safer future for youth living in Canada.
Quotes
"Young people deserve to grow up in safe, nurturing environments, free from the fear of violence and abuse, especially in their romantic relationships. By supporting these 11 initiatives, we are giving young people across Canada more tools and resources to foster healthy relationships and build a better, safer future for themselves and their communities."
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
“University is a big change for young people. And ensuring that they have the supports they need is the first step to set them up for success. When our young people are experiencing a crisis, they need a safe place and safe people to turn to. This funding will help support the students at Lakehead University to make sure they have just that.”
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services Canada and Minister Responsible for FedNor
Quick facts
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Nearly half of Canadian teens (45%) report experiencing dating violence since age 15.
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The 11 projects announced on October 17, 2024 were the result of a call for proposals.
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The nearly $14.5 million investment supports projects that scale up, deliver, and further test youth dating violence prevention interventions that have been shown to be effective, as well as those that meet the needs of key populations, such as youth with a disability, Black and racialized youth, and those who are part of immigrant, refugee and newcomer communities.
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The Public Health Agency of Canada is investing up to $21 million per year until 2026, and more than $14 million ongoing to support projects that promote safe relationships, prevent youth dating violence, family violence and child maltreatment, and equip health professionals and service providers to recognize and respond safely to gender-based violence.
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As part of the federal Gender-based Violence Strategy, the Government of Canada has invested more than $800 million since 2017, with $44 million per year ongoing in preventing gender-based violence (including family violence), supporting victims, survivors, and their families and promoting a responsive justice system.
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In addition, the Government of Canada invested $539.3 million over five years (2022 to 2027), to support provinces and territories in their efforts to implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.
Associated links
Contacts
Jennifer Kozelj
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
jennifer.kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca
Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709