Mr. Speaker, as we remember the many women who have suffered violence in their lives we must also recognize our duty toward them.
Through my community work I have been directly involved with victims of domestic violence. I have seen firsthand the devastation caused by violence.
Fifty-one per cent of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. The serious economic, health and social consequences of this violence to individuals, families and society are unacceptable.
The estimated annual cost of $4.2 billion does not even begin to measure the psychological and human costs of violence against women.
Aggressive action is needed now. The justice system must be strengthened and preventive measures such as raising public awareness and funding community based projects must be imple-
mented to stop the scourge of violence that is sweeping across Canada.