Most of us will never know the horrors that victims of violence and abuse have endured, and in some cases continue to endure. For that, we should extremely thankful.
But for those among us who have suffered the long-lasting effects of violence, abuse and bullying, they may have to live with the consequences for the rest of their lives. While the physical wounds that result from this kind of violence — the black eyes, the bruises, and even the broken bones — heal within a short period of time, the psychological wounds associated with that violence may be something victims must live with for the rest of their lives.
Those who have experienced violence perpetrated against them, or against loved ones, often report that the internal effects of that experience persist for years after the violence itself has ended.
We would do well to honour the memory of those who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence, and to recognize the ongoing struggle survivors face. We’re fortunate in Westlock to have that opportunity each year as the Hope Resource Centre holds its annual candlelight vigil.
And attendance numbers in past years belie the magnitude of this problem within our community. While just a couple dozen participants have taken part in years past, 10 times that number have sought help from the Hope Resource Centre since it opened its doors five years ago.
And while we can pat ourselves on the back and say how wonderful it is that we have this organization helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community — those most in need of help — it’s not enough to just take part in the occasional fundraiser and candlelight vigil.
The problem of violence and abuse, particularly against women, is one that’s endemic in a society that still tends to emphasize the importance of so-called men’s work over the importance of so-called women’s work.
Despite some significant cultural advances over the past 100 years or so since women were recognized as legal people in this country, women will still be paid less than men for their work while still performing the lion’s share of domestic duties in a typically household.
We’ve come a long way, it’s true, but there’s obviously a lot more work to be done if true equality is the end goal.
