Honour-Based Violence - Training to Eradicate this Global Issue

RELEASED ON BEHALF OF THE ALBERTA COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION ASSOCIATION

Next Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 12 and 13, 2013), members of the Calgary Police Service will join other Alberta law enforcement officers, lawyers, teachers, counselors, health care providers, judges, prosecutors and members of the general public to learn more about "honour-based violence" at a conference here in Calgary, sponsored by the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (AACPA).

Honour-based violence stems from a matrix of cultural values premised on women's inferiority. Ultimately, dealing with this complex issue begins with education, prevention and training like at next week's conference.

At least 5,000 "honour killings" are reported world-wide annually, but the actual number is far higher as thousands more of these vicious crimes are misreported as suicides or accidents, or simply ignored.

Canada is not isolated from "honour killings" - as evidenced by the recent tragic cases of the Shafia women, Asqvez and scores of other victims across our country. With increasing numbers of new Canadians coming from honour-and-shame cultures, honour killings are merely the tip of an honour-violence iceberg.

ACCPA has invited internationally recognized presenter and author Aruna Papp to speak on this global issue. Ms. Papp, understands honour-based violence first-hand. She is the author of a dramatic autobiography, Unworthy Creature: A Punjabi Daughter's Memoir of Honour, Shame and Love. Aruna is also the founder of three organizations which assist immigrant women who are victims of abuse. She is also the recipient of eleven awards and recognitions for her work with families dealing with violence.

ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Aruna Papp will be available for one-on-one interviews from 8:30 - 09:00 a.m. on November 12, in the Coast Plaza conference room prior to her opening address. Media is invited to stay for the conference if they wish.

WHERE:

Coast Plaza Hotel

316 33rd Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Tel: (403) 248-8888

For more information please call: Kathy Macdonald 587-896-2801

For more information on ACCPA, visit www.albertacrimeprevention.com or follow them on Twitter - @ABcrimeprevent