PORT HARDY – A campaign in recognition of Prevention of Violence Against Women week is being run by the North Island Crisis and Counseling Centre Society (NICCCS).
In an average year, 20,000 women in our province will experience violence according to Statistics Canada. Almost half of these women have children who will be exposed to the violence as well. Peter Jaffe, a well-recognized researcher in Childhood Education at University of Western Ontario, estimates that 3-5 children in every classroom have been exposed to violence against women, said NICCCS in a press release.
Women may experience extensive physical abuse, sexual assault, psychological trauma, financial hardship, and even death. In fact, a study by noted Sociologist Jillian Riddington revealed that more women are injured or killed by physical abuse than by automobile accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. Yet many people underestimate the seriousness and impact of the crime, said NICCCS.
During Apr 19 - 23 communities across B.C. will observe Prevention of Violence Against Women. It is time to focus on a crime that Statistics Canada reports one out of four women in Canada experience every year, said NICCCS. The best prevention is education. The NICCCS Women’s Outreach program will hold info sessions to promote awareness and public education on the issue during the annual observance.
For additional resources to help promote Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, please visit
www.bcsth.ca or www.nicccs.org.