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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 14, 2007 - 7 Crowd urged to demand government action Continued from page 1 director of Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS). The provincially funded non-profit organization provides free, 24-hour support to all survivors of sexual violence as well as advocates and educates measures of prevention across the community. Statistically, in 2006, SAVIS responded to 481 crisis calls and provided counseling for 1,321 survivors. The timing toward making these goals a reality is on the side of Ontario voters with the provincial election ahead (Oct. 10), said Benn-John. She urged everyone present to press local candidates at public debates for better and faster government action to end violence against women in Ontario. To this end, SAVIS is part of a province-wide coalition of women's shelter and rape crisis advocates, labour groups, women's centres and antipoverty organizations involved in The Step It Up! Campaign (www.stepti- tupontario.ca). The campaign's platform has 10 specific demands that urge the next government to: · Give the experts in the field the money and tools they need to help women escape violence and the opportunity to guide elected officials and bureaucrats in creating more budgets, policies, services and laws to achieve this. · Develop anti-racist and anti-oppressive training in public and community realms. · Provide greater funding supports for women with disabilities. · Increase minimum wage to $10 per hour · Freeze post-secondary education tuition · Increase funding for English as a Second Language classes for women. · Build low-income housing now by adding $830 million to create more social housing and another $260 million to maintain existing properties. · Give $300 million for non-profit, quality child- care spaces. · Make it easier to get legal aid. "Individual efforts contribute to a violence free community. Don't wait for the next survivor to be your friend, sister, mother or child," said Benn-John. After the song, music and dance ­ and despite rain and lightning ­ an army of women and children marched along the neighbourhoods along Rebecca Street, fearlessly, without worry or the need to keep their eyes peeled and ears alert for potential danger. They chanted in step with each other, demanding the right to Take Back the Night. Allegro central vacuu centralvacuum Allegrosystems systems POWER PACKAGE $ 299.99 Easy to install MU3300 7 year warranty, Up to 2,500 sq. ft. Buy Factory Direct with Substantial Savings Proudly Made In Oakville For Over 10 Years. 1338 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE 905.825.3995 www.allegrovacuums.com www.justaddheat.ca w w w w w ww ww ww www.justaddheat.ca www.justaddheat.ca a a a a DON'T BE AFRAID OF DINNER Visit us online at www.justadheat.ca where you can learn more about preparing your own home cooked meals in record time. We offer 16 new recipes each month with choices like: Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles Curried Pumpkin Soup Black & White Chili with Homemade Cornbread Turkey Bolognese with Whole Wheat Pasta Baked Tilapia Gratin Tangy Thai Beef with Jasmine Rice SAVE 25% on first time orders. a Voted Best New Business 2007 610 Ford Drive (at Cornwall) 905-338-9816 a www.justaddheat.ca www.justaddheat.ca www.justaddheat.ca www.justaddheat.ca www.justaddheat.ca www.justaddheat.ca