Anti-sexual and cyberviolence projects to receive federal funding

OTTAWA – The federal government is inviting proposals from community organizations to prevent online harassment and other sexual violence against girls and women.

One category of eligible projects involves preventing and eliminating cyberviolence, such as Internet bullying, luring and cyberstalking of young women and girls.

The second stream is aimed at helping sexual assault centres or community service providers prevent and respond to sexual violence.

Projects at the local level could be given up to $175,000 over two years, while national initiatives are eligible for up to $300,000 over three years.

Organizations have until Dec. 1 to seek funding from Status of Women Canada through links at women.gc.ca.

At a news conference, Status of Women Minister Kellie Leitch reiterated the government’s rejection of a national commission of inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, saying a parliamentary committee was looking into the matter.