Chilliwack MLA helps introduce three-year plan to combat gender-based violence

CHILLIWACK — In a move to reduce gender-based violence in British Columbia, the provincial government unveiled a comprehensive three-year action plan Sunday (Dec. 10).

The initiative, titled “Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan,” outlines a series of measures aimed at providing safety and support for survivors, with a focus on addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The plan also includes initiatives to enhance prevention and awareness campaigns, developed in consultation with Indigenous partners and advice from community service providers.

The federal government is committing $61.9 million over four years to support the plan through a Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement, announced on December 8, 2023. The funding will address critical wait lists, enhance community-based services, and bridge gaps in underserved communities. More than half of the funding will be invested in Indigenous-led initiatives, with specific announcements expected in the coming months.

Chilliwack – Kent MLA Kelli Paddon, who also serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, said the program is a collaborative effort. “We are working together to end isolation, stigma and apathy when it comes to gender-based violence, and make sure survivors can access the care and supports they need.”