It's Violence Awareness Week in the City of Yorkton and the hope is, awareness will help put a stop to violence in the community.
Representatives from both Shelwin House and the Yorkton Partnership against violence were on hand Monday evening at Yorkton's City Council meeting to have the week proclaimed and to share details of what is happening locally.
"This week encompasses December 6, which in 1991 was designated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women," said Laverne Dumka, executive director of Shelwin to council. "It is held in conjunction with the Montreal Massacre; on the day of December 6, 1989 a gunman walked into a Montreal University and killed 14 female engineering students.
"While we commemorate December 6, we must face the fact that bullying in our society is so prevalent. Bullying may be the saddest experience of any child or adult and may result in suicide or homicide. We believe that education, awareness and a community stance that bullying is never acceptable, we will help to reduce and hopefully prevent bullying in our community."
To help boost the effort, a special Candlelight Vigil event has been planned for Yorkton. The event takes place at St. Mary's Cultural Centre beginning at 7 p.m. (today) Thursday, December 6. The theme for the vigil will be focused on the voices of community youth shining light on abuse and bullying through the sharing of personal experiences, education and commitments to community mobilization.
The vigil is open to the public and free of charge. "By attending, you will be showing your support that there is never a reason to hurt and bully another human being."
