November is Family Violence Prevention Month

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 colour purple has been used for many years, all over the world, in support of family violence prevention. It’s also the colour of our campaign here in Alberta.

To recognize Family Violence Prevention Month, we have partnered with Sturgeon Victim Services and Redwater – Smoky Lake Victim Services on a social media campaign.  The education campaign will focus on four key areas:

1. Awareness
2. Understanding
3. Resources & Treatment
4. Prevention

The three take away messages of the campaign are

1. know the signs
2. listen
3. make the call

Let’s work together together to achieve our vision for a society that does not tolerate domestic violence and communities bringing safety and hope to vulnerable individuals and families.