Candlelight walk is back as part of next month’s family violence prevention campaign

By Serena Lapointe

November is Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta, and nationally, November is
recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Though it is a hard topic, the rates of
violence happening within homes across the country beg for attention to be continually placed
on it, in hopes that it helps those who need it most.
As per Stats Canada (www.statcan.gc.ca), the provincial rates for police-reported family
violence remain high across much of the country. The highest province for this category is
Saskatchewan with 741 per 100,000 population, followed by Manitoba (588). Alberta ranked 6th
with 366.
Among self-reported spousal violence in the provinces, Alberta steadily ranks third, with more
than four in ten, and six in ten Indigenous women, experiencing intimate partner violence at
some point in their lives. At the workplace, 25 percent of Albertans reported experiencing the
effects of domestic violence, and six in ten Canadians reported experiencing child maltreatment
before they were fifteen.
Outside of the provinces, the highest numbers are found in Canada’s northern territories.
Nunavut is the highest, by a landslide. In 2023, the stat jumped up by over 360 incidents to a
staggering 5,574 per 100,000 people. Since 2018, family violence rates have steadily climbed
by hundreds more each year. The Northwest Territories have thankfully seen a decrease, but it
remains high with 3,631 reports in 2023.
 In 2023, the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES) reported that from the year
prior, domestic abuse had grown nineteen percent province-wide, affecting 8,483 women &
seniors, 3,561 children and 53 men, and that 74 percent of Albertans had reported that they
“personally know at least one woman who has been sexually or physically assaulted,” read their
site, www.cawes.com/statistics. Looking nationwide, 44 percent of women, or 6.2 million women
aged fifteen and up, have experienced some form of abuse, and approximately one in five
(19%) victims of self-reported spousal violence reported their abuse to the police, as per
Statistics Canada.
Here in Whitecourt, there were 264 domestic-related calls to the RCMP last year, as residents

facing crisis sought help from the red and blue. To help spread awareness and encourage
change, the Family Violence Initiative (FVI) hosts events and informative initiatives every
November to grow understanding of the very real dangers right here at home.
The month kicks off with the Shine a Light Event on November 1, where the FVI asks residents
to leave their outside porch lights on or get a free purple, light-up bracelet at the Allan &
Jean
Millar Centre’s front desk. The idea is to “shine a light” on family violence and help recognize the
month.
On November 7, resources will be distributed throughout the community’s waiting rooms,
cashier checkout areas, business reception areas, and coffee rooms to help share information

on what a healthy relationship looks like, as well as local support and guidance on how to help
and support someone facing family violence.
Mid-month, on November 14, the FVI will host a Candlelight Vigil. Following a speech on
statistics around intimate partner violence and why it’s important to recognize survivors,
attendees will grab a candle, light it, and walk through downtown Whitecourt in honour of those
injured or killed. The walk event used to happen but has been on hiatus for the last several
years.
On Friday, November 21, FVI volunteers will be handing out light-up bracelets and purple
ribbons at JDA Place during the Whitecourt Wolverines game against the Calgary Canucks.
Following the ceremonial puck drop, fans will turn on their purple bracelets and stand for a
moment of silence.
Two other initiatives happening in November are the beverage coasters that the FVI will hand
out to local establishments, which feature family violence supports, including the provincial line
and a QR code to the FVI’s website. A large banner will also be hung on the side of the Allan
&
Jean Millar Centre, to help draw attention.
One of the biggest pieces to understand about family violence is that it takes on many different
forms, from sexual violence to spousal or partner abuse to sibling abuse, pet cruelty, parent or
guardian abuse, child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence. Those
who witness abuse done to another also experience harm. Abuse can be financially motivated,

verbal, physical or even online.
The Family Violence Info Line is available 24/7, seven days a week at 310-1818 (toll-free)
anywhere in the province and in over 170 languages. It can also be texted. The Family Violence
Info Line Chat is also available 24/7 (English). Other helplines include 2-1-1 Alberta
(information/referral system), the Abuse Helpline 1-855-443-5722, the Child Abuse Hotline 1-
800-387-5437, the Men's Helpline 1-833-327-6367, the Emergency Income Support
Contact
Centre 1-866-644-5135 and HealthLink 8-1-1.