Everyone can pitch in when it comes to changing the culture around domestic violence. That’s the hope of a program leader with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS).
Devona Gibson, member support – programs & services at ACWS was in Lloydminster for two sessions as the Spark Foundation led events for Family Violence Prevention Month.
Speaking at the luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 20, Gibson shared how people can work in shifting domestic violence perceptions.
“Everyone can be a leader in changing culture around attitudes and beliefs about domestic violence.”
Statistics
Gibson shared some sobering statistics about the challenge:
- About every four days, a woman is killed in Canada by her intimate partner
- Women make up 73 per cent of intimate partner homicide victims
- Women are four times more likely than men to experience intimate partner violence
- 61 per cent of Indigenous women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence
The stats come from Stats Canada and Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability.
“In 2023-24, 20,114 survivors were unable to be admitted to shelter because the shelter had run out of physical space or did not have space to accommodate their family size,” said Gibson.
Language to understand abuse
It was not until 1983 in Canada that marital rape was included in the Criminal Code, making it a crime for a man to sexually assault his wife.
“There’s been a pervasive belief that sometimes he just has to force you. So, working to change those beliefs around what’s acceptable in a healthy relationship, and what toxic and unhealthy relationships look like so people can start making those comparisons,” said Gibson.
For people who grew up in a home where violence was perceived as normal behaviour, Gibson said, “Starting to have the language to turn that around about what healthy relationships look like and making it part of your common conversation”
Building hope and trust
The Spark Foundation has been working with victims of domestic violence since the 80s and offers a men’s program to encourage change. Gibson said to check in with the Spark Foundation to find the stories of survivors who have had the courage to build resilience and move forward.
“Hearing from somebody, like six months after they had been in a shelter, and able to hear that they’ve secured employment and their kids are doing well.”
She said those are the things that give the hope to “keep going.” Or sometimes you have to adjust your expectations and celebrate little things like when someone in a shelter gets approved for income support.
“Getting that financial funding gives them freedom to move forward and make the changes they need.”
Next steps
MyLloydmisnterNow will do a follow up story with the support worker who leads the men’s program.
The Spark Foundation is celebrating all the community support and the numerous homeowners and businesses that put on purple lights and took part in “Paint the town purple” in solidarity with Family Violence Prevention Month.
