Calgary Domestic Violence Collective and community partners launch Family Violence Prevention month
Calgary, AB – Let’s break the silence. On November 1, 2013, community partners of the Calgary Domestic Violence Collective (CDVC) will be joined at Bankers Hall 315 8th Ave S.W at 11:00 a.m. by Alberta Human Services to launch Family Violence Prevention month.
“Family Violence Prevention month celebrates individuals who are working to end the abuse they are experiencing, and the family members, friends neighbours and colleagues who get involved and support individuals they know who are living with or impacted by abuse,” said Andrea Silverstone, co-chair of CDVC. “It also recognizes the Calgarians who support the organizations that are working hard to end violence and abuse by volunteering or making a financial donation.”
The community partners will be joined at the kick-off event by Sandra Jansen, associate minister of family and community safety; Rick Hanson, chief of Calgary Police Service; Reid Fiest, anchor at Global Calgary; and Louise Gallagher, a survivor and self-identified victor over domestic violence. Reid Fiest will be emcee at the event and, like all the others who are attending, will be there to take a stand against family violence and abuse, and encourage Calgarians to do the same.
“On average, the Calgary Police Service responds to approximately 16,500 domestic conflict calls per year,” says Chief Hanson. “This is a community issue that affects us all. Whether it’s our family, friends or co-workers, educating ourselves is the first step to ending family violence in our communities.”
Crimes of family violence take many forms, and may include physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial or psychological actions or threats against another person. Sixty-two per cent of Calgarians have either experienced family violence or abuse or know someone who has. “Committing violence against another person involves making a clear choice to hurt someone, and there is never an excuse for making that choice” adds Silverstone “as a community we need to educate ourselves on this crime, re-evaluate who we see as responsible for prevention of this crime and stop blaming victims for someone else’s choices and behaviours. Only then will we be able to break the silence and break down barriers for people to access services.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, there is help available. Dial 911, call Connect Family & Sexual Abuse Network at 403 -237-5888 (Toll Free: 1-877-237-5888) or reach out to the 24-hour Family Violence Helpline at 403-234-SAFE (7233). Please, speak up and help us to break the silence: the change starts with you.
Media Contacts:
Candice Fulgencio, HomeFront, 403-700-3655
Michael Nunn, Calgary Police Service, 403-428-7979
Cathy Alfonso, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, 403-213-5166
The Calgary Domestic Violence Collective (CDVC) works with community partners to provide a coordinated response to domestic violence prevention and intervention in Calgary. It works to help prevent domestic violence through increased public awareness, education, and improved legislation.