NEWS RELEASE
WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S SHELTER OF BARRIE
*************************
November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month, and communities across Ontario will be joining with the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie to raise the flag to end gender-based violence!
Every year, the Wrapped in Courage campaign is mobilizing Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters across Ontario to remind everyone that now more than ever, violence continues to be the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women and girls.
Throughout the month of November, we are asking our community to purchase and wear a Purple Scarf or Purple Ties to show support for survivors who have had to endure gender-based violence in their homes, communities, and workplaces.
The purple scarf is a symbol of the courage it takes to seek support and safety from violence.
On Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a Wrapped in Courage flag will be raised in our community at Barrie City Hall and a proclamation will be declared by our mayor.
This proclamation and flag-raising signals a commitment to ending gender-based violence in our community and to ensure survivors know they are not alone. The Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie provides vital safety and support services to survivors of gender-based violence and their children.
Gender-based violence is an often-invisible issue, and many women and gender-diverse individuals may not be aware of the services that are available in their community. Every Ontarian has a key role to play when it comes to addressing gender-based violence and preventing femicide.
Take action to address gender-based violence in a meaningful way today by:
1. Talking with those close to you about how shelters in your community play an essential role for survivor safety through their programs and services and continue to have services available throughout the pandemic
2. Purchase and wear your Wrapped in Courage purple scarf or purple tie throughout the month of November. Please visit our SHOP SHELTER website at www.barrieshelter.com/shop or email [email protected] to purchase.
3. Contacting our municipal, provincial and federal politicians to let them know you want them to take action to end gender-based violence through commitments and planning at all levels of government. MPP Doug Downey, [email protected], (705) 726-5538 or Barrie/Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, Phone: 705-722-0575, [email protected]
4. Connecting with Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie about how you can support our services
5. Follow on social media for flag-raising information. Post and share photos and videos of Wrapped in Courage flags across Ontario! Instagram: @wcs_barrie Twitter: @barrieshelter Facebook: @WCSBarrie
6. On Nov. 25, be sure to wear or display a purple scarf in support of survivors of gender-based violence and post with the hashtag #WrappedinCourage to your social media accounts!
Thank you for your continued support of gender-based violence survivors across Ontario.
*************************
