Violence awareness Week in city

Violence Awareness Week was unanimously passed by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.

The request came on behalf of the Yorkton Partnership Committee, Dr. Bass School and Shelwin House to declare the week of Nov 30 to Dec 6, Violence Awareness Week.

"This week encompasses the tragedy that occurred on Dec 6, 1989 when a lone gunman shot and killed 14 female engineering students at a University in Montreal. In 1991, Dec 6 was designated the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women," stated LaVern Dumka, Shelwin House Director in making the request.

While marked for more than two decades, violence against women remains an issue.

"It is with sadness that we report that the services of Shelwin House and other transition houses are required more each year. Violence knows no boundaries. It affects people of all walks of life," said Dumka.

The answer remains in teaching, offered Dumka.

"We believe that education, community action and awareness is key starting at a young age to learn that violence is never acceptable and that there are alternatives to violence," she said.

Dumka said people must also focus on non-violence for more than one designated week.

"While we ask for this particular week to be declared as "Violence Awareness Week"; we promote that violence is never acceptable 365 days a year," she said.

To mark the week, a special event is planned for the city.

"On Dec 5 at 10:45 am we will be hosting the Candlelight Vigil at Dr. Brass School. Our goal is to teach the younger generation that violence in its various form is never acceptable.

Our guest speaker is Rachel Ashley, a young adult that will speak on how she was bullied during her school years and how she refused to bow to defeat. The event is open to the public and free of charge," she said.