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Violence prevention needs community-wide effort

Community-wide effort needed
MVT stock Dan Singleton mug
Dan Singleton is the editor of the Mountain View Gazette. File photo

With the province recognizing Family Violence Prevention month in November, stakeholders at all levels are reminded of the need for an ongoing community-wide effort to ensure residents living in the district are safe in their homes, schools and workplaces.

Held every year at this time, the month is an initiative aimed at raising awareness of not only the cost of family violence, but also of ways to confront and prevent it, and resources available to victims.

Whether this year’s effort will lead to a marked decline in family violence going forward remains to be seen. What is known is that reducing family violence is an ongoing challenge that must be met for the benefit of the community at large.

For her part, Rajan Sawhney, minister of community and social services, says anything that can be done to reduce family violence is effort well spent.

“It takes a community to work together to prevent and put an end to abuse,” said Sawhney. “This month we want to remind people of what supports are available to end family violence and build healthier relationships. There are always places to turn when you’re in need.”

The Kenney government has taken an important step in preventing family and domestic violence in the province through recently approved new legislation.

The Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare’s Law) received royal assent last week. It is designed to ensure that Albertans at risk of domestic violence have both a right to ask and a right to know about an intimate partner’s history of domestic violence or related acts.

“We are thrilled to see bills (such as Clare’s Law) aimed at protecting our most vulnerable citizens,” said area MLA and government house leader Jason Nixon.

Alberta has the third highest rate of self-reported spousal violence among Canadian provinces.

That fact is a black mark on Alberta and something that all stakeholders are encouraged to fight against, not only this month but throughout the year.

Dan Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
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