Const. Kinzi Steiger ties a purple ribbon around a tree in front of the Medicine Hat Police Service headquarters on Thursday morning as part of an awareness campaign ahead of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in November.--News Photo Collin Gallant
kking@medicinehatnews.com
November marks National Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta.
“It’s an issue that impacts everyone in our community,” Natasha Carvalho, executive director of Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society, said in a statement Wednesday. “One in four women and one in seven men will experience family violence in their lifetime in Canada.”
As a way to commemorate those who have been affected by family violence, MHWSS will be hosting its annual Memorial Walk on Nov. 1. The walk will kick-start a month-long campaign which aims to raise awareness about family violence and advocate for change.
“Sometimes (family violence) is so hidden and people aren’t always aware,” Carvalho told the News. “We really want to remind people to have those conversations if you are concerned … especially now more than ever. People are hurting and people are more isolated so we don’t see our friends as often.
“If you feel like somebody needs help, reach out … We always say, ‘Call me if you need help,’ but it’s really about reaching in and trying to help them.”
The walk will begin at 1:30 p.m. at city hall and will progress through the downtown. Participants will be invited to tie purple ribbons as part of MHWSS’s visual campaign.
