Shining a light on family violence

According to the Alberta Government, Alberta has the country’s third-highest rate of self-reported
spousal violence. Family Violence Prevention Month, which runs through November, raises awareness of
the issue of family violence and increases understanding of how friends, family and coworkers can play a
role in helping turn the tide.
“The prevention of family violence is everyone’s responsibility due to how dangerous it is. It happens
behind closed doors when people normally won’t or can’t intervene, so it’s important to have these
conversations so that people know that it isn’t ok and that it isn’t something we should turn a blind eye
to,” explained Lynden Schwindt, Family Violence Liaison with the Town of Whitecourt.
“If you see it, intervene, whether calling out somebody engaging in harmful behaviour or supporting
someone being impacted by dangerous behaviour or intervening in any other way.” Schwindt said
victims of family violence tend to reach out to informal supports rather than reach out to a social
support person. “People reach out to their informal supports first, whether that’s family, friends or
coworkers or colleagues, so that’s why it’s important that everybody is educated,” she said.
Having a whole month dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources means that a
community-wide or province-wide message is flashing brightly, stating that family violence, which is
wrong, harmful, inappropriate, and dangerous, is not a behaviour being accepted or condoned. “If
someone is experiencing it and we have this community message going on that we are going to make a
conscious effort to call it out when we see it, it tells people experiencing it that they have an ally,” said
Schwindt. “If I feel that I’m in an unsafe situation, then I know I’m going to be supported if I bring it up,”
she said hypothetically.
This year’s events kicked off a little earlier than usual, with the 2nd Annual Pub Foods with the Dudes
taking place on October 17. Schwindt said attendance increased significantly this year, which she was
happy to see. “We had about 19 attendees last year, and this year we had 33. “That’s about a 30-35
percent increase,” she said.
Conversations around the table during the event showed the topic’s impact being out of the shadows.
“We were all impacted by it one way or another. I think it made many people turn on their heels and
assess the relationships in their lives. How am I behaving as a male role model in my family, and how am
I talking to my children, to my boys? It actually did do a lot of self-reflection for participants and them
wanting to see this done more often and on a larger scale. It was great.”
The high school presentations also took place, bringing the conversation of healthy relationships,
consent, and rejection resiliency to students. On November 1, when Family Violence Prevention Month
officially kickstarts province-wide, several things will be happening. The first is the Shine A Light
Campaign. “We will be giving away illuminated bracelets at the AJMC for free. People can pick those up
and wear them for the month as they are long-lasting bracelets.” Residents are asked to turn on their
porch lights or holiday lights for the night of November 1 starting at 6 p.m.
They will also be present at the Wolverines home game that evening. Schwindt said the announcer
would talk a bit about the month, its meaning, and why it’s important. She said they would be doing a

ceremonial puck drop and holding a moment of silence for victims of family violence. “We are not
expecting this to change overnight, but if we can all be one percent better and stand up when we see
things going on that aren’t conducive to being an ally to the opposite sex, that’s a big start.”
Schwindt said the Family Violence Initiative would also be putting up their massive, forty-four-foot
banners on the CN pedestrian footbridge and handing out kits. “It’s a basked filled with all the resources
and phone numbers and information for those seeking support themselves or for having informal
supports educated on what they can do to help someone if someone in their life is experiencing family
violence.”
The social media campaign #wheretoturn will be another resource with people sharing stories and
available supports through the hashtag. Those seeking resources locally can visit www.whitecourtfvi.ca
or call Schwindt at 780-268-0545. “If you want to learn more on this topic, just become curious and
withhold judgment. Many people will ask, why doesn’t she just leave, or why doesn’t he just leave?
Replace your judgement with curiosity.”
The Family Violence Initiative offers support through two free programs. The New Hope Program is a
mixed group for men and women and runs in a two-day condensed format. “It’s free, and some topics
include communication skills, destress techniques, emotional regulation, relationship red flags and
relationship green flags. A registered psychologist leads it,” explained Schwindt.
The second program is called Roots and is for children. “It’s a targeted intervention program for children
who have witnessed family violence or anger-related issues and is again free. There are no barriers to
attend. We discuss developing a safety plan, addressing our emotions, better channels for unwanted
emotions when they pop and then confidence building and resiliency.”
Schwindt said feedback on the Roots Program has been very encouraging. “Parents see changes in their
children mid-program. We get great feedback. We would love more referrals so we can run the program
more consistently. We are always accepting referrals for both of those programs.” Call Community
Services at 780-778-6300 for intake into either program.