Rio Tinto: Rio Tinto supports efforts to prevent domestic and family violence

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence , Rio Tinto supports organizations working to prevent domestic violence and support those who are victims of it in Canada.

Caring is one of Rio Tinto’s core values, which is reflected in the priority given to the safety and physical and emotional well-being of employees, contractors, their families and members of the community. Spousal violence exists in all segments of society and affects hundreds of thousands of Canadians each year. According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, “over 6,000 women and children sleep in shelters every night because they are not safe at home. “

Rio Tinto is working by donating a total of C $ 355,000 to 14 organizations that provide shelters, counseling, education and training services, workshops and activities for women, children and the LGBTQ + community.

Rio Tinto will also organize activities for its employees to make them aware of the different facets of domestic and family violence. They will thus be able to attend testimonials from survivors, interact with stakeholders from organizations and learn to recognize the signs of violence in order to be better equipped to help those around them.

Last year, Rio Tinto donated C $ 360,000 to a dozen organizations to hire more frontline workers to expand services to meet increased needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The General Manager of the Tipinuaikan Accommodation Center, Émilie Martineau Legault declared: “We are very happy to be able to count on the support of Rio Tinto for the second consecutive year. Last year their contribution made a real difference for some women in precarious situations who were unable to come to our shelter due to health measures in the community. Rio Tinto’s donation enabled us to purchase a vehicle to transport these women to a safe place and give them access to our services. “

Rio Tinto Aluminum CEO Ivan Vella said: “As employers, we have an important role to play in raising awareness about domestic and family violence by supporting the extraordinary work of community organizations and acting ourselves. Rio Tinto has developed its own training program and has also put in place several measures to support employees who are victims of violence and their family members, including paid leave, 24-hour support services, financial assistance. short-term and emergency accommodation. “

The organizations supported by Rio Tinto are:

Ekuanitshit Health Center, Ekuanitshit, Quebec
Tipinuaikan Accommodation Center, Uashat mak Mani-utenam, Quebec
Saguenay Women’s Center, Saguenay, Quebec
Center le Volet des Femmes, Aguanish, Quebec
Diversity 02, Saguenay, Quebec
Ksan House Society, Terrace, British Columbia
Labrador West Status of Women Center, Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador
La Passerelle, Alma, Quebec
Maison des femmes de Sept-Îles, Sept-Îles, Quebec
Maison La Source, Sorel-Tracy, Quebec
Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
Omineca Safe Home Society, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
SOS violence conjugale, Montreal, Quebec
Yellowknife Women’s Society, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Rio Tinto has also made a donation of 10,000 Canadian dollars White Ribbon Canada as part of a campaign to mark the 30 th anniversary of this organization. White Ribbon Canada supports boys and men through education, awareness, information, technical assistance, capacity building and partnerships. Its programs challenge negative and outdated conceptions of manhood and inspire men to be part of positive change.