Ontario Government Announces Plan To Aid Abused Women

The Ontario government will spend up to $30 million, up from present $7.6 million, to link shelters for abused women and rape crisis centers with police departments. The plan includes installation of panic alarms, telephone and computer systems allowing victims to find the release status of their attackers and a program to educate victims on court procedures. The plan will also expand the crisis-assistance programs in Ontario, which help pay trained volunteers who offer emergency 24-hours-a-day-assistance. Also, the number of free cellular telephones distributed to protect survivors of violence will increase from 300 to 3,000. The move to initiate the increased expenditures and develop better programs emerges just one week after a 35 year old woman was shot to death by her estranged husband, despite court orders that he stay away from her.

Media Resources: The Toronto Star, 27 June 2000

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