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Brockville General Hospital |
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News Release |
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NEWS
RELEASE Violence against women: Public invited to vigil at BGH on Dec. 3 BROCKVILLE − A special vigil being held at Brockville General Hospital aims to promote hope and healing in the community. The Assault Response and Care Centre (ARCC), a BGH community program, has partnered with Interval House to hold an open community commemorative service on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the BGH Charles Street Site Auditorium. “We have had losses in our community, including a nurse at BGH,” notes ARCC Coordinator Laurie Bourne-Mackeigan. “Our goal is to support each other and instill hope that things will change. Men and women are working together for that change.” Kimberley Wright, Interval House’s Community Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator, expects the BGH auditorium “will be packed” because this service presents the community with an opportunity to pay respect to women who have been harmed or killed by their partners. “It’s important that we give the community a space to come together and reflect,” commented Ms. Wright. “It’s important for victims or their families to know that the community cares, that people are trying to create change, and that the women’s lives were not lost in vain.” The service will include community speakers, lighting of candles, a minute of silence and information displays from both organizations. This year marks the 20th anniversary since 14 young women were killed at l’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. The Brockville event marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. “By creating awareness, we are trying to break the silence of domestic violence,” Ms. Bourne-Mackeigan said. “Abuse can be emotional and psychological, which can be much more damaging than physical violence. When women are in an abusive relationship, they sometimes tell neighbours, friends or family instead of professionals, so we need to educate the neighbours, friends and families so they feel confident to intervene.” Both women say that it’s important to educate children about bullying, respect and what makes a healthy relationship in order to break the cycle of violence for future generations. “Kids need to learn violence in the family isn’t their fault, and they need to learn alternatives to violence,” said Ms. Wright. Everyone is welcome to the Community Commemorative Service and Vigil at Brockville General Hospital, 75 Charles St., in the auditorium on the ground floor on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information about violence against women or about the service and vigil, please call ARCC at 613-345-3881 or Interval House at 613-342-4724.
Kimberley Wright, left, Community Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator of Interval House, and Laurie Bourne-Mackeigan, Coordinator of the Assault Response and Care Centre at BGH, light a candle to remember women lost to violence. The public is invited to a community commemorative service at BGH on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Photo: Christine Endicott/BGH Media: For more information, please contact Christine
Endicott
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