Women’s Shelter turns Medicine Hat purple for Family Violence Prevention Month

“I think there’s so much of it that is secret and it’s sort of behind closed doors so people think it’s not their business. And I think the more you can bring it up into the forefront and have those conversations, I think the more likely people are able to reach out and say ‘actually I need some help’” said the society’s executive director, Natasha Carvalho.

Inspector Brent Secondiak agrees that there needs to be more discussion regarding family violence in Medicine Hat.

“We see the effects of family violence multiple times a day. And you can see how the long term effects really affect the children, growing up in those environments. It’s just really unstable,” he said.

While the main walk was downtown, Carvalho says that they will be all around town.

“A bunch of the schools are doing it, different neighbourhoods stepped up to do it. And I think that will start conversations,” she explained.

Last year, 267 adults and 140 children were admitted to the shelter in Medicine Hat.

They also received more than 1,300 crisis calls.

“I’m here to tell you we respond to over 1,300 domestic violence-related calls a year. We’re talking three or four a day. And they are some of the most dynamic and risky to our officers because there’s so much emotion attached to these situations,” said Secondiak.

Carvalho says that it meant a lot to have Secondiak and other members join in on tying ribbons with them.

“It’s huge for us because our work overlaps so much in what we do. And we want people to realize that the police are good guys and supportive,” she continued. “And we can work together and we can work to get the services that they need. And it isn’t scary to call them if you’re in danger because they will come out and help you. And will help you with that. It’s wonderful.”

She’s also hopeful that the ribbons and the more than a dozen events they are hosting this month will help bring awareness to not just those personally experiencing family violence.

“The more people know where we are located, what our resources are, and what programs we offer the more likely they will be like ‘hey I know somebody, I know where you can go.’ So it’s sort of two steps is what we’re trying to do with it,” she smiled.

The shelter has scheduled more than a dozen events including movie nights, exhibits, family activities, and fundraisers.

by Hayley Ferguson

Women’s Shelter turns Medicine Hat purple for Family Violence Prevention Month

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