Treaty Three Police are hoping to crack down on human trafficking and violence against aboriginal women and girls across the region.
Jody Smith has been hired as the co-ordinator of the ‘Spirit of Hope’ program.
“Indigenous women and girls do experience violence at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous girls. There is community-based research which has found levels of violence against aboriginal women to be even higher than those recorded through government surveys.”
Smith notes the program is more than just shining a light on the problem.
She says in addition to increased awareness and education, police are going to be stepping up their investigations.
Smith adds “The program also recognizes the need to educate men and boys as we know they play an important role in protecting our women and girls.”
Funding for the initiative was announced last August.
Smith just started the job last week and will be meeting with various community groups to find out what the needs are in individual first nations.
