Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the 38th meeting of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
I would like to let you know that the meeting will be televised by Global Network. The procedure stays the same, with the exception of Global Network being here.
We are continuing our study of promising practices to prevent violence against women. Our study proposes solutions. We are therefore in “solutions” mode or “possible solutions” mode in order to combat the scourge of violence against women, whether in Canada or abroad. I would like to remind the witnesses and the members of the committee that we are looking at promising practices.
Each witness or group of witnesses will have 10 minutes for their presentation. A period of questions will then follow.
I would like to welcome Dr. Jocelynn Cook, scientific director at the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, and Ann Decter, director, Advocacy and Public Policy at YWCA Canada. We are also pleased to welcome, by videoconference from Vancouver, Lisa Steacy, representing the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, as well as Kasari Govender, executive director of West Coast Women's Legal Education and Action Fund.
I will now give the floor to Ms. Cook, who has 10 minutes for her presentation.