Reach Out, Speak Out: Family violence has far-reaching consequences

 

By Susan Hofforth

 

November is the month of the year set aside to raise awareness of family violence and it long-lasting and long-reaching effects on the lives of individuals and society. It is not something that affects only the abuse victim. “It is so much more than that,” said Family Violence Initiative Liaison Lesley Lawton. “Family violence is bigger than the bruises.”

 

She goes on to say that the activities this past month have been about getting the conversations started. The theme, ‘Reach out. Speak out’ gets people talking about what is happening. “Silence is what keeps people in abusive situations,” Lawton said.

 

November’s activities included a candlelight vigil in the beginning of the month, so that people could remember some victims and to share stories and ways to help. The group gave purple light bulbs to put into the porchlights and show just how far support can go. There have been purple lightbulbs placed in the town hall and the RCMP station. You may have also seen red silhouettes in the community with information for people to call if someone they, or someone they know, needs help.

 

One of the ways the conversation was started was with the poetry contest that led into the month so that people could tell their stories, and share the inspiration to talk. The stories and poems were fictional or true and the top three were read at the vigil. There was strong emphasis on how everyone in the family is affected. Family violence isn’t only physical; it’s more than that. It is emotional, psychological and financial.

 

A group that the Initiative tries to engage is men. Support and education groups reach out to men and boys, sometimes the perpetrators and sometimes, victims and sometimes they are unseen, or unrecognized as victims. Children who witness violence, or arguments in their family are also victims, even if they are not physically abused. They are the hidden victims and this month was also about encouraging people to think about what children are witnessing, what it may be teaching them, and how much they are affected by what they see.

 

If you need help or someone to talk to, visit the Facebook page, or the website for the Family Violence Initiative in Whitecourt at www.whitecourtfvi.ca. Get involved in the conversation.