Sask. announces funding for organizations addressing interpersonal violence

This is some of the most important investment that that governments can make is partnering with our community based organizations. Nearly $43,000,000 will be spent over the next three years in Saskatchewan. It’s going to organizations that support and provide services to victims of abuse and interpersonal violence. According to Stats Canada, Saskatchewan has the highest rate of police reported family violence of any province. The government says that’s why this funding is good news. So I think very important to look at the, the, the number and then focus on the specific work. That these amazing community based organizations do for for women, children and families across the province. The funding is welcomed by those organizations, but they say there is still more to be done. Interpretive violence is on the radar of this government and I think that anytime that that you’re on the radar of the government, it is a good thing. I asked Premier Scott Moe why he trusts organizations enough to provide them with millions of dollars, but not enough to let them into schools and talk about sex education. MO says those are two separate conversations because parents have had questions about some of the some of the material not necessarily from the YWCA, that’s being made available to their children in our schools without actually involving the parents. MO is referring to an incident in Lumsden last year. A high school student picked up graphic sex and material after a presentation from Planned Parenthood. There was backlash. The government then banned all third parties from presenting on sex education at schools. Despite most saying there were no concerns about the YWCA’s material, they are one of the groups banned. The YWCA has a program meant to teach kids about healthy relationships with themselves and others, one it can’t currently deliver. It is important and and I would say critical and particularly critical in working with young boys in understanding. Emotional literacy, but the door is not yet shut on the YWCA. They’ve met with the education minister and are part of developing A framework that could allow some third party organizations back into schools. Alexander Kwan, CBC News, Regina.