HB NEWS ‘STAGGERING AND HEART WRENCHING’ PARK’S NEW PURPLE BENCH SHEDS LIGHT ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com Darian Henderson-Bell- man would often go to Do- inion Gardens Park and sit in the gazebo on a me- another memorial bench on the path leading to the The purple bench, the ‘arst of its kind in Hal- shot and killed in July 2020. Her ex-boyfriend faces a first-degree murder charge. The charge hasn’t been proven in court. The bench was installed by Halton Women's Place and inspired by the Barb's Benches Project in honour of Barb Baillie, a Nova Sco- tia woman who was choked to death by her husband in 1990. Itis alsoan expansion of the intimate partner lence memorial unveiled at Halton Regional Police headquarters last Novem- rWe want to create more Halton Hills resi ‘dents in Left: An emotional Paul Henderson and wife Flo Bellman speak at the unvei “If one person walking by this bench is able to find the help they need and it saves them, that's great.” problem and to let them know help is available. Place," he said. "There are safe places for our support. Halton Hills i isa communi- Graham Paine pl ig and dedication ceremony of a purple bench in their granddaughter's memory. Right: Roses for the 14 victims of the Ecole Polytechnique massacre in Montreal rest on the newly-installed purple bench. hopes of reaching m« women and girls who are experiencing Lacerta ae abuse," said La burn, executive director. of Halton Women's Place. The unveiling of the bench Monday coincided with the 32nd anniversary of the murder of 14 women at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. Fourteen roses were placed on the bench Temporary Road Closure due to Event - The Holiday Market 1 Halton Hi as the names of the victims were read. Halton Police Chief Ste- phen Tanner said officers in the region respond to an average of 10 intimate part- ner violence calls every day, which doesn't even tell the! full extent of the prob- eet is staggering and heart wrenching because we know this type of vio- The Holiday Market - Organized by the Georgetown BIA Saturday December 11, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main St. from Church St. to James St., Georgetown. ls Drive, Halton Hills, L7G 5G2 | 905-87: lence often goes unreport- ed to the police," he said. “Our officers witness the personal toll of violence on the family unit firsthand all too often” Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette said there have been 335 cases of domestic abuse in Halton year. He said the Seas of the bench is just one way to bring attention to the ty that isc tic violence has no place ere." Flo Bellman, who raised Darian after becoming her legal guardian, said her granddaughter always Wanted to help People. In iy, shi the beet isa fitting Scbate! in that it will raise awareness and encourage those in abusive relationships to seek help. “She would think this is wonderful. If there's some poor soul cowering under. table, and this helps them Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act, S.0. 2001, and Town of Halton Hills By-law 2008-0020 regarding the temporary road closure for the purpose of the following community events: If you require any additional information regarding this road closure, contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 905-873-2600, ext. 2269. ~ Flo Bellman DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES Halton Women’s Place: 905-878-8555 (crisis line) I Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS): savis@savisofhalton.org, 905-825-3622 (office) or 905-875-1555 (crisis line) Halton Violence Prevention Council: 905-845-3811 ext. 124 or hvpe.coord@hvpe.ca to come forward," Bellman said. "It just takes one per- son and you have to give them the courage. If one person walking by this bench is able to find the help they need and it saves them, that's great.” There are plans to in- stall four more purple benches throughout Hal- ton. UONEH - dl CUL | 2