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Clark unveils anti-violence campaign

Premier commits $3 million toward several initiatives, many targeting violence against women
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While in Surrey

Premier Christy Clark was in Surrey Friday to announce an initiative that she hopes will greatly reduce violence in the province.

Clark stopped in at the main Surrey RCMP detachment Friday morning, announcing a "long-term vision" called the Violence Free BC strategy.

She announced $3 million in civil forfeiture funds will go toward programs aimed at ending violence against women.

Civil forfeiture is collected through seized assets from the proceeds of crime. It has generated about $16 million since its creation in 2006.

The funds announced Friday will be used for local anti-violence support services, the opening of a newly integrated domestic violence unit, and an upcoming campaign to raise awareness of the dangers women face.

"Violence against women is not a women's issue – it's an issue for all of us in British Columbia," Clark said in a release. "The Violence Free BC strategy is our roadmap to creating a province where each of us does our part, working together, to keep women safe from harm."

The government will also launch a public-awareness campaign in the near future.