Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic praised the government last week for “meaningful action” to combat sexual violence in Alberta.
Rising in the legislature to mark Sexual Violence Awareness Month, Petrovic also commended survivors and frontline workers who deal with the issue.
“Each May we are reminded not only of the devastating prevalence of sexual violence in our communities but also of the courage of survivors and the tireless work of frontline advocates, counsellors and support staff across Alberta,” Petrovic told the legislature Thursday.
“Our government remains steadfast in its commitment to prevention, intervention and recovery through increased development of trauma-informed services, initiatives to educate young people about consent, and improvements to the justice system to better support survivors,” said Petrovic, the parliamentary secretary for health workforce engagement.
Through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, the government will soon release Alberta’s 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence.
“This long-term, cross-ministry plan outlines a path forward for preventing violence, strengthening services, and building safer communities for all Albertans,” said Petrovic, who worked as licensed practical nurse before entering provincial politics as a UCP candidate.
“But we know that the work is far from over. Ending sexual violence requires all of us. It requires each of us to speak up when we see harm and to listen when someone says: that happened to me.”
More than 11 million people in Canada have experienced intimate partner violence at least once, the Alberta government’s website says. The Canadian government says one in three women and one in six men from all walks of life will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes.
Disproportionately affected are Indigenous women, members of the LGBTQ and intersex communities, individuals with disabilities and other marginalized groups.
Petrovic said the Alberta government “will continue to work towards building an Alberta where no one is made to feel unsafe, unheard or unworthy. Let this month be a call of action as our government remains committed to ensuring Alberta is the safest place to live, work and raise a family.”
George Lee,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Macleod Gazette
