Radio Broadcast Script 1

Women and children victims of violence in their homes will have more safe places to turn to as the Ontario government makes good on its promise to restore funding cut by the previous government.

An $18.8 million dollar investment will add 83 beds in high needs areas and give a boost to agencies that provide temporary transitional housing to women who leave shelters and have no safe place to go.

Women's Minister Deb Matthews says supportive, next-step housing is crucial to an abused woman's future:

Voice-over (19 seconds)

"She really needs to have a supportive environment where she starts to think about her future and the future of her children. Start to think about going back to work, going back to school. Where does she want to live? She has to start to repair some of the supports around her."

Extro

There are 27 agencies across Ontario that provide transitional housing to abused women and their children.

Radio Broadcast Script 2

Agencies that provide services and emergency shelters for women and kids fleeing domestic violence are getting more help from the Ontario government.

Making good on a promise to restore funding cut by the previous government, the province is spending $18.8 million to give all Ontario women's agencies a 5% increase, adding beds to existing shelters and providing help for safe, supportive temporary housing for women who leave shelters and have no safe home to go to.

Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur says that no community is immune to domestic violence.

Voice-over (10 seconds)

"Domestic violence does not know any specific social group. It could be the middle class, a rich person or a poor person."

Extro

The Minister says that Ontario's shelters provide a safe harbour to about 14,000 women each year.

Radio Broadcast Script 3

More help is on the way for Ontario agencies that support women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The McGuinty government has pledged $18.9 million to restore funding cut by the previous government.

All agencies will receive a 5% increase, the minimum per bed increase for shelter beds will rise by $5,000, 83 more beds will be added to existing shelters in high-needs areas and 27 agencies that provide safe, supportive transitional housing will share in a $1.5 million investment.

Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur says that in challenging economic times it's even more important to protect families in peril.

Voice-over (7 seconds)

"In difficult economic times we often see more situations of violence."

Minister responsible for women's Issues and for combating poverty says this help is key to keeping vulnerable women and children from falling into poverty.

Voice-over (13 seconds)

"We know that women who have suffered abuse are at much higher risk of poverty than other women. Way too many women stay in abusive relationships because they can't afford to leave."

Extro

Ontario's shelter system serves about 14,000 women a year.