That is why Canadian Women's Foundation, Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc) and Rogers are asking Canadians not to wait another minute. These three organizations have joined forces in a national partnership of unprecedented scope to launch the Start to Stop Violence Against Women campaign, supporting the violence prevention work of the Canadian Women's Foundation and 274 shelters for abused women across Canada. Through Hbc's almost 500 retail locations and 70,000 associates across the nation and Rogers' radio stations and magazines that reach approximately 5 million people, the partners hope to send out a clear message -- it's time for Canadians to join together to put an end to the violence against women.

From April 11 to May 8 Canadians can donate $1 at any of the Hbc family of stores -- the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and Designer Depot -- across the country. And on May 4, this team is holding a radiothon involving 14 Rogers Radio Stations encouraging listeners to donate to the campaign through a toll-free telephone number (to be made available closer to the date). BMO Financial Group will match the first $50,000 donated through the radiothon. Please see "About the Partners" (below) for participating radio stations and Rogers publications.

"Canadian Women's Foundation is delighted to build on our partnerships with Hbc, Canada's oldest company, and Rogers, one of Canada's most significant media companies, to launch the Start to Stop Violence movement," says Beverley Wybrow, Executive Director, Canadian Women's Foundation. "We've been raising funds and making violence prevention grants across Canada since 1991. We know the need is urgent. Many people are touched by this issue, but aren't sure how to contribute to change. The sheer size of this national partnership presents a great opportunity for Canadians to pool donations and make a difference. We thank Hbc and Rogers for their leadership in creating this opportunity."

"Violence against women affects everyone -- women, men, children, family members and more," says George Heller, President and CEO, Hbc. "At Hbc, we recognize that preventing violence against women is essential to building healthy families and creating strong communities. Violence against women has far-reaching consequences that diminish all of us. We all need to take responsibility for stopping it, and we're pleased to work with Canadian Women's Foundation and Rogers to provide an easy way for Canadians to get involved."

Half of all women in Canada have experienced violence.(i) Violence against women is one of the world's most serious human rights violations. We've made some progress -- courageous women and men have raised awareness and developed services like shelters for abused women. But now people think that because shelters exist, the issue is solved. Nothing could be further from the truth. Shelters are critical, but they and other services urgently need support to help women rebuild their lives after violence. And we have to prevent the violence in the first place. There is a desperate need for money for this work.

With participation from Canadians, the partners are aiming to raise more than $1 million over 2 years. Of every dollar raised, 50 cents will stay in the community where it was raised and go directly to local women's shelters. The other 50 cents will go to Canadian Women's Foundation to make violence prevention grants in communities across the country. The Start to Stop Violence website at www.starttostopviolence.ca offers information about violence against women in Canada and more details about how Canadians can get involved and help stop it.

"Chances are that someone you know and love is living with the effects of violence," says Ildiko Marshall, Publisher Today's Parent Group, Vice President Consumer Publishing, Rogers Media. "In Canada, almost 90 women are murdered by their partner each year. Every life matters. But these tragic deaths are just the tip of the iceberg. For each woman who dies, over 1,100 women and children seek refuge in a shelter.(ii) And more than one million children have witnessed violence against their mother.(iii) It's time we bring attention again to the urgent need to stop violence against women. Rogers is pleased have been a part of the campaign from the outset and to join Canadian Women's Foundation and Hbc to launch the Start to Stop Violence movement. But it will take you to make a difference!"

About the Partners

Canadian Women's Foundation is Canada's first and only national public foundation for women and girls. The Foundation raises money and makes grants to help stop violence against women, to help low-income women out of poverty, and to build self-esteem for girls. More information about the Foundation is available at http://www.canadianwomen.org

Hbc, established in 1670, is Canada's largest department store retailer and oldest corporation. With almost 500 stores led by the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and Designer Depot banners, Hbc is one of Canada's largest employers with operations in every province in Canada.

Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RG) is a diversified Canadian
communications and media company engaged in three primary lines of business.

Rogers Wireless is Canada's largest wireless voice and data communications services provider and the country's only carrier operating on the world standard GSM/GPRS technology platform;

Rogers Cable is Canada's largest cable television provider offering cable television, high-speed Internet access and video retailing; and Rogers Media is Canada's premier collection of category leading media assets with businesses in radio, television broadcasting, televised shopping, publishing and sport entertainment.

For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.

Radio stations participating in the Start to Stop Violence radiothon include:

• Banff: 106.5 Mountain FM
• Calgary: LITE 96 CHFM
• Fraser Valley: Star FM
• Kitchener: 96.7 Chyme FM
• Lethbridge: 107.7 The River
• North Bay: 100.5 FM EZ Rock
• Ottawa: 105.3 Kiss FM
• Sault Ste. Marie: EZ Rock
• Sudbury: 105.3 EZ ROCK
• Timmins: CKGB-FM
• Toronto: 98.1 CHFI
• Vancouver: 104.9 CLEAR FM
• Vernon: 107.5 KISS FM
• Winnipeg: 102 Clear FM
  

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