An organization which provides supports and works to reduce violence against women and girls is withdrawing its participation in a provincial committee which deals with that very issue.

First Light is upset that the Chief of Police was a signatory to the letter which may have ultimately led to Jenny Wright to resign from the executive director’s position with the council.

First Light acting executive director Stacey Howse is calling on cabinet ministers Andrew Parsons and Carol Anne Haley to hold accountable anyone who stifles critical voices on women’s issues.

Howse says First Light, at least for now, is pulling out of the Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls. She’s also concerned that the RNC would not allow her to sit in on yesterday’s news conference by the chief.

Wright’s Resignation Not My Intention, says RNC Chief

RNC Chief Joe Boland says if he had his time back he would have stayed out of the letter written to the St. John’s Status of Women’s Council Board of Directors, but, he still would have wanted to discuss what was said in the tweet from Jenny Wright.

Boland says it was never his intention to have Jenny Wright resign or be removed from her position with the St. John’s Status of Women Council, and it doesn’t state that they did anywhere in the letter.

The Chief of Police doesn’t believe there is any reason for him to resign from his position either.

Boland says he has spent 37 years working in the community, and the people in the community mean everything to him. He says he is involved in many committees and organizations, and police officers understand how committed he is to building relationships in the community.

Boland says there is a commitment to meet with the St. John’s Status of Women Council, but there is no date set.

He says he hasn’t spoken with any other community groups who feel their relationship and trust with the RNC has been damaged.