By MorinvilleNews.com Staff
Morinville – The Sturgeon County Family Violence Prevention Program will host two 90-minute Family Violence Prevention events this month: the first in Redwater, the second in Morinville. Both events seek to discuss the issue of family violence in the area, and provide participants with information on where they can go and what they can do to stop the violence.
One of the Morinville RCMP’s highest priorities regarding public safety is the reduction of domestic violence, which can include mental, physical, sexual and emotional abuse by one partner towards his or her partner, their children as well as the elderly and disabled. Police say the abuser may destroy or withdraw family access to personal property to intimidate.
Statistics Canada figures show there were 738 spousal homicides between 2000 and 2009. This figure represents 16 per cent of all solved homicides and nearly half of all family-related homicides. Ten per cent of women in Alberta experience domestic violence, the highest rates of domestic violence in Canada.
Speakers at the two sessions include Alberta Health Services Mental Health, Rise Up Ministries, Redwater RCMP and Victim Services, and Sturgeon Family Violence Prevention Program.
The Morinville session will take place Nov. 22 at the Morinville Provincial Building from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Sturgeon County Family Violence Prevention Program was formed in 2008 to provide education to families that are experiencing family violence. The group is made of representatives from local agencies that have contact with affected families and expertise in the area of family violence.
