(Central Alberta Sexual Assault Centre website)

By Alessia Proietti

#WhereToTurn

Family Violence Prevention Month brings to light various resources available in central Alberta

Nov 6, 2023 | 11:32 AM

November is dedicated to Family Violence Prevention Month in the province and various organizations in central Alberta will be participating in bringing the issue to light.

The goal of the month is to spread awareness and education on how to prevent family violence, with this year’s theme as #WhereToTurn, highlighting the various local resources available for those suffering.

Family violence includes many different forms of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect by a family member or intimate partner on another family member, whether it be parent, child, grandparent, or other.

According to the provincial government, Alberta has the third highest rate of self-reported spousal violence among Canadian provinces.

In Red Deer, the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) will be offering several virtual presentations in November and December on a variety of topics relating to sexual violence including supporting disclosures and speaking with a clinical expert.

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

7m ago

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

38m ago

Prevention, Access, Recovery, and Coordination

Safe Harbour officially hands over shelter keys, establishes accessible navigation hub

18h ago

On November 24, the organization will be encouraging central Albertans to wear purple while conducting a social media blitz, with their education team taking over their accounts to answer questions and share their programs.

The Soroptimist International of Central Alberta Club will also be participating in the Purple Light Night campaign, selling lights, wreaths, and t-shirts for the cause so people can shine their front doors in purple.

“It’s a conversation that people should be having during this month but then they should also be having it all year long,” said Sherri Smith, President of the Club. “Domestic violence happens all the time, everywhere, to all different kinds of people.”

She encouraged residents to volunteer at the various related local agencies.

“It’s a problem that we should not have in our community and there have been so many people throughout the years who have been trying so hard to eradicate it and it’s hard to eradicate it but we need to be talking about it all the time,” she said.

All funds raised will go towards their Purple Angel Fund, which helps support educational needs for child victims of family violence.

Those interested in purchasing the items can message them on Facebook or call at 403-391-7912.

READ: Let there be light: Family Violence Prevention Month

Along with other communities in the region, the City of Red Deer will be shining City Hall in purple on November 18 in support of their proclamation for the month.

Other provincial events can be found on the Government of Alberta website.

For more information on local resources, visit the Outreach Centre, the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, and the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter.

Download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.