At the recent Town Council meeting, Mayor Poole proclaimed November to be Family Violence Prevention Month in Blackfalds.
“It is important for citizens to Reach Out and Speak Out against family violence. Blackfalds is a young and progressive community and we are here to support each other. By promoting healthy relationships, we can strengthen the social fabric of our community,” said Mayor Richard Poole.
2017 was the first year that Blackfalds declared November as Family Violence Prevention Month. It continues its support in 2018 with the proclamation of support. Blackfalds is looking to create a culture of support for those affected by family violence and encourages citizens to work to make our community and our province violence free.
Blackfalds is part of a 16 community coalition, the Regional Vision for Non Violence, that that meets 3 times a year with a mission to take collective action to create awareness and educational opportunities to build strong, safe, healthy resilient communities. Blackfalds is committed to its families and, through this proclamation, hopes to increase awareness of the importance of everyone living in a safe place, both in and out of their homes.
“Blackfalds continues to raise awareness and advocate to reduce family violence in our community,” shared Sue Bornn, Family & Community Support Services Manager. “Working with our regional partners, we are the local connector for programs that share ideas like Family Violence Prevention Month in November, and Pink shirt day in February to raise awareness in our community.
Since 2015, the Regional Vision for Non Violence Coalition has received funding through the Alberta Family and Community Safety Program Grant to continue the network of connecting communities to prevent family and or sexual violence, develop and maintain healthy relationships, prevent bullying and support our vulnerable communities.
Opportunities planned in the community to raise awareness of Family Violence Prevention Month include:
- Trees lit up purple in the municipal offices accompanied by Red Silhouettes. The Red Silhouettes
- are a symbol of domestic abuse and family violence,
- Encourage residents to wear purple in support,
- Information available with banners and brochures at the Abbey Centre,
- All Municipal Staff and Council are invited to participate in Worlds Child Day on Tuesday,
November 20th and the theme is ‘Every Child Has Rights’. To participate everyone is asked to wear blue – to acknowledge all of our children and that all children have rights.
Show your support this November by wearing purple.
For more information contact our FCSS office, visit our website , the Regional Vision for Non Violence
website or learn more on the province’s site.
Background
Family Violence Prevention Month started in 1986 as a local initiative in the Town of Hinton, where four remarkable Albertans, Katherine Kennedy, Sonja Bennett, Faye Wheeler and Glenda Carter formed The Hinton Society for the Prevention of Family Violence and launched Alberta’s very first family violence education and prevention campaign.
The Society’s goals were to draw public attention to the issue and to evoke positive change in their community. This led to expanding local supports and services for individuals and families in the areas of prevention, protection and rehabilitation. At a time when family violence was never talked about publicly, these courageous women inspired the Alberta Legislature to recognize every November as Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta.
Today their legacy continues.
Hundreds of Alberta communities and thousands of individuals are actively involved in preventing family violence by providing public education and services.
The color purple has been used for many years, all over the world, in support of family violence prevention. It’s also the color of our campaign here in Alberta.
The 16 communities in the Coalition are:
- Blackfalds,
- Benalto,
- Delburne,
- Bentley,
- Bowden,
- Caroline,
- Clive,
- Eckville,
- Elnora,
- Innisfail,
- Lacombe,
- Penhold,
- Rimbey,
- Rocky Mountain House,
- Stettler,
- Sylvan Lake.
-Submitted by the Town of Blackfalds