Working to End Violence Against Women

Nova Scotians are working to end the violence women face at home, at work, and in the community, and a panel of speakers talked about those efforts today, Dec. 6, in Halifax.

A new initiative to raise awareness of family violence, the Silent Witness Project, was one of the topics. The project helps members of a community to learn the story of a woman who has died due to intimate partner violence. Community volunteer groups build a silhouette of the woman and hold a launch to share her story more widely.

"Nova Scotians are working very hard on this issue, and we must continue to focus on it," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister for the Status of Women. "Together -- communities, employers, government and individuals -- we can eliminate violence against women."

The Advisory Council on the Status of Women's discussion forum, held at Province House, highlighted three aspects of violence against women: intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and workplace violence. Speakers included Susan Ivany, chair, Silent Witness Nova Scotia; Jackie Stevens, Avalon Sexual Assault Centre; Janet Hazelton, president, Nova Scotia Nurses' Union; and Doug Keefe, Department of Justice.

"Too many women in this province face violence -- it can occur at home, at work or in the community," said Sonja Power, chair of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

The discussion opened with a moment of silence to commemorate the murder of 14 women at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989. The advisory council also released statistics on sexual assault in the province.

The Advisory Council on the Status of Women is hosting a public event in Amherst, Cumberland Co., to further commemorate the day. Individuals and agency representatives will place purple ribbons on a Christmas tree in remembrance of all women who have been victims of violence. The event takes place at Heartz Hall, 1 Ratchford St. at 2 p.m.

Ms. Bolivar-Getson will also attend a vigil at the Nova Scotia Community College, Bridgewater campus, at 2:30 p.m.

Commemorative events are taking place in locations around the province. The Advisory Council on the Status of Women lists several of these on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/staw/vigils_events2005.htm .