The Westlock community has once again shown itself adept at coming through when times are tough.
Two fundraisers to help women, men and children of all ages who have suffered abuse took place last week, raising thousands of dollars for the Hope Resource Centre and the Sparrow’s Hope Women’s Shelter in Barrhead.
On Friday, the HRC’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes managed to collect more than $3,600 (with more donations coming), as well as let men see what it’s like to literally walk in a woman’s shoes.
Out at Hazel Bluff Hall on Saturday, the Wild Rose Art Gala charity auction gala raised $975 in profits after auctioning off several paintings, with proceeds directed to Sparrow’s Hope.
Artists who participated were only asked to submit at least one painting for auction, as well as donate 50 per cent of the proceeds to the shelter.
But artisan Megan Pederson went above and beyond, donating 100 per cent of the money earned from her painting to Sparrow’s Hope.
All this work will have an immediate impact on services in Westlock and wider central Alberta community.
The money raised at both events in Westlock, as well as a select group of communities across central Alberta, will be spent locally on education and resources.
Alberta has the second highest rate of self-reported spousal violence in the country at 7.6 per cent, exceeding the national average of 6.2 per cent.
As the weeks of abuse turn into months, and the months turn into years, many women who suffer from domestic abuse wander further and further into a life filled with personal, and sometimes professional, turmoil.
Fortunately, much is being done to reduce that rate of abuse, which has been decreasing since 2004, when Alberta’s rate was 8.7 per cent.
In total, provincial police reports indicated roughly 13,010 victims of family violence in Alberta. One unfortunate note is that the abuse rate is nearly three times higher for Aboriginal women.
This means that while things are gradually improving, there is still much work that must be done.
Each and every person needs to stand up and make sure violence and abuse ends today.
