Province’s Status of Women Ministry lauds success of Safer Spaces certificates program
LETHBRIDGE – In the last year-and-a-half, 379 certificates have been handed out by the provincial government, allowing victims of family violence to end their leases early, without financial penalty.
Status of Women Minister Stephanie McLean says they originally anticipated 100 to be issued, but the need was much greater than they thought it would be, which is concerning.
“We know that the numbers of violence against women is higher in this province than it is for women in any other province, and so unfortunately I’m not terribly surprised. It shows that there is more work to be done.
“But we’re also proud of the fact that this legislation is helping people leave a violent situation whereas they may have felt financially trapped staying in it before.”