Rio Tinto has launched its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and three northern B.C. organizations have partnered in the project with the metals and mining corporate giant.
Rio Tinto, for the third consecutive year, is supporting organizations across Canada that provide shelters, counselling, education, training, workshops and activities that help rebuild the lives of women, children and member of the LGBTQ+ community affected by domestic violence.
The company is providing $450,000 to 17 organizations across Canada.
Statistics Canada estimates that four out of 10 women in this country will experience some form of violence from an intimate partner in their lifetimes and members of the LGTBQ community are more likely to experience partner violence than heterosexuals.
“At Rio Tinto, we believe that everyone has the right to feel safe,” said Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Ivan Vella.
“We want to contribute to both helping prevent domestic violence and protect the people who experience it. For our employees, this represents access to extra paid leave, emergency accommodation, and financial support if they are ever confronted with family violence themselves.”
Omineca Safe Home Society in Vanderhoof, Ksan House in Terrace, and Tamitik Status of Women in Kitimat are being sponsored by Rio Tinto’s campaign.
“Omineca Safe Home Society would like to recognize and give thanks to Rio Tinto for their generous contribution to our organisation,” said Omineca Safe Home Society counsellor Winnona O’Meara.
“This donation has allowed us to hire another full-time women’s counsellor, which is incredibly impactful for us, the women in our community and surrounding areas. This contribution has alleviated our significant waitlist, meaning that upwards of five hundred much needed counselling appointments per year can be offered to support women living with or leaving violence.”
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