The theme of this year’s International Woman Abuse Prevention Month is “Create the Awareness” and for Darlene Smith, president of the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre, it’s a job that’s far from done.
“We’ve made tremendous strides during the past few years but there is so much more to do,” she said. “Abuse has been ingrained as a part of our culture, it was accepted and if not accepted, it was hidden.”
Chatham Mazda from Chatham Voice on Vimeo.
Smith said the centre provided help last year to more than 200 who stayed in shelter, almost 500 in transitional housing and more than 600 in community services programs.
“Our first goal is to provide a safe shelter for someone suffering abuse,” she said. “The next goal is to begin to help women rebuild their lives. Each woman is different so we provide counseling, we help find them resources and whatever it takes.”
One of the centre’s goals is to put an end to myths surrounding abuse. “People think that abuse happens more during football season, that it’s largely the product of income or social status or that only weak women are abused,” she said.
“We have women from all aspects of society. Often these are strong women who function well but have been conditioned to believe that abuse is part of a normal relationship. We have to end the myths. Abuse can happen to any woman.”
She said all clients are treated in a non-judgmental manner. “We accept any woman at any time for any reason.”
She said educating youth is a priority. “We’ve seen that children who witness abuse are more likely to in turn, abuse. We need to reach them and show that this behaviour is not acceptable.”
The month long campaign began Sunday with a walk from the women’s centre on Lacroix Street to St. Andrews’ Church on William Street.
St. Clair College Capitol Theatre will be the scene of a free movie night Nov. 13 for a showing of Let’s Talk About It, an award winning film that puts a voice and a face to abuse around the world.
Attendees are asked to support the centre by bringing a towel or a self-care item for centre clients.
During this year’s Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 20, the centre will provide free hot chocolate and information at the centre from 4-8 p.m.
The month will conclude Nov. 30 with a candlelight vigil at the centre beginning at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the centre’s remembrance stone that honours all those women who have lost their lives to domestic violence.
Throughout November, the centre will be selling purple scarves for awareness. The $15 scarves can be purchased at the women’s centre, the Little Change Room in Blenheim and Radiance Spa in Chatham. They will also be sold at a Chatham Maroons home game at a date yet to be confirmed.
.
