BC gov’t supporting campaign to end violence against women

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The BC government is investing $160,000 in a province-wide campaign to educate people about violence against women.

The Be More Than a Bystander program has reached nearly 30,000 teens at 40 high schools across the province.

The program employs some of the BC Lions to go to schools and talk to kids about abusive behaviour.

Tracy Porteuous with the Ending Violence Association says they’ve been doing this for three years and she feels attitudes towards women are changing.

“We’ve achieved a lot policy changes, a lot of legislative changes, we have a number of programs, but in terms reaching the masses to stop being silent and speak up, we think that is going a huge other level of change,” she says.

Centre Angus Reid says they’re upfront with the kids they talk to, letting them know they struggle as well.  “We didn’t understand the realities to the extent that they are.  And I’m going to be honest I was quite naive to it, I think.  Part of the reason for my naivety was the reason why I had to get involved.”

The money will go towards helping to cover the travel costs for the players.

The Vancouver Canucks and Whitecaps have not been approached about joining the program.

Organizers feel the message is getting through — but admit it takes a while to see change.  They’re hoping to get every CFL team on board with this program.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today