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9 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 14,2019 theifp.ca Like many people, on Feb. 14 I celebrated what is known as "love day" or "Valentine's Day" with my husband and my two sons; we took the boys to their first concert, and tucked them into bed later than usual for a school night. As we crawled into our bed, exhausted, we heard what thousands heard that night - a loud, interrupting alarm ringing through the house. Jumping out of bed, my husband ran through the house trying to figure out whose alarm was going off. He came back to our room and told me it was an Amber Alert. I had read about an 11 year old who was allegedly abducted by her father earlier that eve- ning, so I assumed it was for her. We hoped for the best and fell asleep. Early the next morning I read on Twitter that the Amber Alert was over and the child had been located - again, I assumed she was found safe and all was well. Much to my horror and to many others, the alert was over, she was located, but she was not found alive. My heart sank: she was in the age range of both my kids. She was celebrating her birthday, she was with her father. This should never have happened. Many don't realize that this criminal act is related to violence against women; one way that men try to ex- ert power and control is to threaten harm to them- selves and to their chil- dren. Sometimes that is why abused women stay in their relationships - the fear of their children being hurt, or even killed. Days after her murder, a vigil was held in her ho- nour. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie made this statement: "Let this trage- dy serve as a stark remind- er that as a society, we can and we must do better to protect our women and our young girls from violence because this is simply un- acceptable." On Saturday night at our 24th Annual Gala Fundraiser, Executive Di- rector Diane Beaulieu ded- icated the evening to Riya. Violence against wom- en and girls is still preva- lent in all our communi- ties. As well, there are may ways violence against women and girls is perpe- trated - abuse can be phys- ical, emotional, psycholog- ical, sexual or financial, just to name a few. If you are in an abusive relationship, please reach out to Halton Women's Place. Each call or visit is completely confidential. If you think someone you know is being abused, you can also call our crisis lines for help. And although I never want to hear another Am- ber Alert again, I will al- ways remember the one that rang out for Riya - as a mother who tucked her children into bed and who knew her kids were safe, while another mother was frantic to have her child safely in her arms again. That ringing alarm was a call of desperation, hope and it can wake me up any time. Carm Bozzo is the de- velopment manager at Halton Women's Place. OPINION A TRAGIC REMINDER OF THE PREVALENCE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WOMEN OFTEN FRIGHTENED INTO STAYING IN RELATIONSHIPS, WRITES CARM BOZZO CARM BOZZO Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA Employment Opportunities haltonhills.ca The Town of Halton Hills is Hiring! Part Time Facility Operators − up to 24 hours per week (Posting No. 201911) Come join our team! We are looking for candidates that share our corporate values of Honesty, Excellence, Team, Fun, Creativity and Respect. These values are second nature for the successful candidates and are demonstrated in their work and interactions with colleagues and the community. We are currently seeking part - time Facility Operators to provide the highest standard of care for the cleaning and maintenance of Town Facilities. 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