Family Transition Place Fall News 2019
November is
WOMAN ABUSE Prevention Month
Statistics tell us that half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since they turned 16. On average, 20-30 women a year are murdered in the province of Ontario alone. Domestic violence is the number two reason for calls to the emergency police services. Additionally, violence in the home overwhelmingly affects children. It has an impact on their ability to focus at school, on their relationships with peers and adults, it increases their risk of participating in high risk behaviours such as substance abuse, and it increases the risk of anxiety and depression. Further to this, domestic and sexual violence has a significant impact on the workplace and in the larger community. This is not just a “big city” problem. A study by the Canadian Women’s Foundation reports that 6,000+ women and children sleep in shelters on any
given night because it isn’t safe at home. We are not surprised. The beds at Family Transition Place (FTP) are full—all the time. There are women calling daily for space in the shelter, and asking to be put on the wait list for counselling to help them deal with the impact of the violence and abuse they have experienced.
Wrapped in Courage purple scarf campaign. The purple scarf symbolizes the courage it takes a woman to leave her abuser. However, the courage of a woman is not enough. It takes the strength of an entire community to end violence against women.
Read more about our Woman Abuse Prevention Month campaigns and how you can show your support!
By purchasing and wearing a purple scarf, tie, or a purple LOVE pet bandana, you can support the services at FTP and show your support for ending woman abuse. Wearing the scarf is also a silent message to those women walking among us (and there are many) who have experienced or may be currently experiencing violence and abuse. It shows them they are not alone.
We need our community to be aware and to recognize the part each individual needs to play to change this scenario. Therefore, in recognition of Woman Abuse Prevention Month, we are proud to announce the return of the annual
Woman abuse is not a women’s issue. It is a human rights issue, and it affects us all. Together we can work to eliminate woman abuse. Indeed we must. Every woman and child has the fundamental right to live in safety and security.