Friday, November 06, 2009
November Marks Ontario’s Women Abuse Prevention Month
Ottawa, November 6, 2009- November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario.
In 2005, the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee analyzed cases of domestic violence ending in homicide. In all the cases they reviewed, a neighbour, friend, or family member knew of the abusive behaviour but felt unable to react due to apprehension and/or a basic lack of knowledge.
In May 2009, the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) analyzed woman abuse in their “Hidden From Sight: A look at the Prevalence of Violence Against Women in Ottawa” report. It found that 89% of domestic violence offenders were men. It also revealed that in 2007, local shelters had to turn away 3,281 women due to lack of space.
Often, after a tragedy, those of us in the Woman and Violence community are asked what women can do to protect themselves. We think the best thing to do is to come together to prevent violence against women. For example, our community has just come together by participating in a forum entitled “Man Talk,” where we learnt positive steps to actively engage men and boys to end violence against women. November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month, and is the perfect time to start thinking about what you as a community member can do the end violence against women.
Here are some places to start:
- Join a committee like OCTEVAW or volunteer at a local shelter.
- Have a Neighbours, Friends, and Families presentation in your community or workplace.
- Donate money to a local shelter or organization.
- Write to your local MP about the importance of the Gun Registry and its role in preventing violence against women.
- Speak to the men in your life about the importance of healthy relationships and respect.
For more information, visit the OCTEVAW website Events Calendar http://octevaw-cocvff.ca/event for a listing of all the different events being held in the Ottawa area to commemorate this month.
For more information please contact:
Erin Williams - Executive Director, OCTEVAW
Tel: (613) 725-3601 x105
ed@octevaw-cocvff.ca
Bailey Reid - Program Coordinator, Neighbours, Friends, and Families Campaign
Tel: (613) 853-1033
bailey.reid@eorc-gloucester.ca
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