The Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women is coordinating its 9th Annual PEI Purple Ribbon Campaign Against Violence. The Campaign commemorates the 14 women who died in the Montreal Massacre on December 6th, 1989 and raises awareness about the violence against women and children on PEI.
Honourable Pat Mella, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women endorses the annual campaign: "Every incident of violence against women is a reminder of energy robbed from our community well-being. Until women are safe in our schools, homes, communities and workplaces, we each have an obligation to raise awareness on prevention of violence and to work on safety for all."
It has become a tradition within the community to come together in support of this event each year by pinning ribbons in readiness for the campaign. This year, Island youths also assisted with the pinning and distribution of ribbons, as well as holding school events in recognition of the campaign. Through the support of the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention, the Advisory Council has once again been able to expand the campaign by distributing over 9,000 purple ribbons to Islanders, including 3,000 to Island civil servants.
Islanders are urged to wear a purple ribbon during the week up to December 6th to help raise the level of awareness of violent acts, perpetrated against women and children, not only on PEI but throughout the world. As well, the Council suggests making a donation to an organization in the community that is working to end such violence.
"On the 11th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, we remember not only the tragedy of losing 14 young lives to violence against women" says Patricia Roy-Ballem, Chairperson of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, but we also need to recognize that every day there are acts of violence against women in our own communities that must stop.
In PEI, between April 1999 and March 2000, a total of 1,647 women and children used support services through Transition House Association (THA) - 203 accessed THA support services in East Prince; 536 in West Prince; 96 in Eastern PEI; 140 at Anderson House in Charlottetown; and, 621 for Queen's County Outreach.
"I ask you to join with me in supporting the Advisory Council's Purple Ribbon Campaign," says Roy-Ballem, "by raising awareness of the issue of violence in your community and workplace and help seek solutions to end the suffering of women and children."
Purple ribbons are available at the Advisory Council office, the UPEI Women's Centre, L'Association des femmes acadiennes et francophones de l'Ile-du-Prince Edouard, East Prince Women's Information Centre in Summerside and at ACCESS PEI Centres across the Island.
Contact: Heidi Rankin - 368-4510