Family Violence Prevention Week Begins

You never hurt the one you love is the message many groups will be sending this Valentine's Day.

Premier John Hamm will sign a proclamation declaring Feb. 13-19 as Family Violence Prevention Week. The official launch ceremony will take place on Monday, Feb. 14., from noon to 1 p.m., at St. Paul's Anglican Church in the Grand Parade, Halifax.

Among the speakers will be Community Services Minister Peter Christie, Coun. Sheila Fougere of the Halifax Regional Municipality, and Ann Ryan. Ms. Ryan was moved by the tragic murder of her neighbour by an abusive husband, and she will issue a personal call to action.

Representatives of the many groups affected by family violence will light candles as part of the ceremony to honour the victims and survivors of family violence in Nova Scotia. The premier will light a candle of hope to symbolize every Nova Scotian's desire to end violence in the family.

"Each of us is likely to live with, work with, or know someone who has experienced or is experiencing the trauma of family violence," said Mr. Christie. "Please join us in supporting the efforts of the Family Violence Prevention Initiative and the many community-based organizations working to promote awareness and action to stop family violence."

With the support of corporate sponsor GlaxoWellcome, the prevention initiative also funds local inter-agency committees on family violence to engage in public awareness activities in communities around the province.

For more information on the various activities co-ordinated by the Family Violence Prevention Initiative throughout the province, please refer to the listing of events on the initiative's website at www.gov.ns.ca/coms/fvpi.htm.