Violence against women is still a problem in our society that affects everyone.
In 2014 intimate partner violence was the most common form of police-reported violent crime committed against females, according to Statistics Canada.
April 18-25 is Prevention of Violence Against Women Week and on Tuesday, April 19, to bring awareness about violence against women, the Campbell River Transition Society, the Campbell River Women’s Centre, Laichwiltach and Family Services will be hosting the Clothesline Project at Spirit Square from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to view this powerful display and enjoy some refreshments and food, and decorate your own T-shirt.
The Clothesline Project (CLP) is a program started on Cape Cod, MA, in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women. It is a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions and heal by decorating a shirt. It is airing out society’s “dirty laundry.” The message may be a statement against any kind of violence or a statement of hope for the future. Blue and red T-shirts represent sexual abuse, yellow or beige T-shirts represent abuse by a partner, a white T-shirt represents murder, purple represents assault because of sexual orientation and a green T-shirt represents children who have been affected by violence.
Campbell River also displays the white sheet with “These Hands Don’t Hurt” on it for non-abusive males to trace their hands on in support of this cause, which will also be displayed.
During Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, keep your eye out for T-shirts hanging around the Rose Harbour building, the Museum at Campbell River and the Campbell River and District Art Gallery.
Prevention of Violence Against Women Week provides people the opportunity to do their part to help build a violence-free future for all people of Campbell River affected by violence. It’s an opportunity to make the statement that women living in Campbell River deserve to live a life free from violence.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing violence in Campbell River there are resources out there to get help. Below is list of resources you can contact for help:
Ann Elmore Transition House-250-286-3666
- Community Based Victim Services-250-287-2421.
- Campbell River Women’s Centre- (250) 287-3044.
- Stopping the Violence Outreach Program- (250) 286-3430.