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Halton Hills This Week, Wednesday, July 1, 1992, Page 7 OP ED Family Violence Murder in Halton Hills - June 27, 1992 This past weekend a Halton Hills woman was slain by her male .Partner. It is sad to realize that ‘ween spouses. fe, the citizens of Halton Hills, are 2 hulled i into a false sense of securit¥ simply wy living here. We have jomes, picture perfect yards, a rural atmosphere and a way of life that makes many out- siders want to move here. However, living in an executive neighbor- and vic' economic cultural backgrounds. Some of us better wake up and take a look around because there is violence here. Some of it may be hidden behind closed doors but concerned individuals should be watching for the tell-tale signs. Children are growing up believing they are dumb, useless and bad. Some believe their only purpose in life is to be beaten physically and emotionally. Violence is a secret the family wants to keep. During this past year we’ve heard that child abiite and child ual abuse ii in- creased dramatically. Ron Sent: Execuave Director of the one is not faaiptyt ieee disclosures. ‘We all have a societal responsi- bility to help and care for each other. Our children’s futures de- pend upon our actions to curb the violence in our society. We have to start with the violence in our own lives and then work outward by directing our efforts toward our schools, other institutions, the media and govern- ments. We must press for changes which will result in a reduction of violence. ntly a woman, who, only a few months back, escaped from an abusive relationship, was telling me that somehow we have to reach women and get them out of their unhealthy relationships. How? That’s the problem. Most victims don’t want to admit they’ve been party to an abusive ee. At one time, I thought I’d been involved in a single Des San ear Despite my reading al e cycle of vio- lence ane my a eeoandiee that violence usually penetrates genera- tions of families, I was unable to recognize the abusive past for what it was. While some abuse may be panrenional: the results remain the same ictit One ay pee that of 225 HELP US HELP OURSELVES suicide attempts, 83% of them a for the happiness of others fap help those who do not want beh Like ihe alcoholic, the abuser must determine in his own mind to hange. He has to want to take that step. Only then will he change. a woman who has found herself in a relationship in be you always seem to be do- ing all the giving and receiving very little or nothing in return, you m: be being abused. If you are depressed, experience tremendous isolated Toa ay and friends, or feel suicidal, you may be a vic- tim of violence. Take that first step and tell so one. If that person doesn’t ite don’t stop there, tell someone else! You will find a friend who will listen and believe you! The Halton Hills woman who was killed probably thought it couldn’t happen to her. She pro- bably thought he’d never do it. She probably thought she was in con- trol of her life. Don’t allow your life to remain out of your control. Take the steps you need to regain control and give yourself the opportunity to live a more fulfilling life. Building a positive future depends on recognizing the mistakes of the past and taking action to ensure they don’t re-occur. Statistics from Ontario Women’s Directorate Reports. Feel free to contact Jacie in con- fidence by directing letters to her attention at Halton Hills This feek. All correspondence will re- Lisi econ Jacie can be through the Dace cae at 877: 1211. Leave a message and Jacie will get back to you. If you are a child or woman in crisis, call the Distress Centre or eoeoeeee ON H]H Saw 877-7400 AIRPORT SERVICE eoeeeoee 877-1234 PARCEL DELIVERY ooo ee oy 4 “e, H]H w 877-9311 we're friendly.” “Being adian is being involv. able around u: ed Cani in the nature around us, and being to eaieet the culture i Gite Morris, Georgetown What does Canada mean to you? “TE Tea that people think Seba © Aeryn Kennedy, Georgetown “Freedom. I’m proud to be Cana- dian?’ w/help from his aunt and grandmother. © Bradley Woodworth (almost 3 years old) Acton at “It’s gotta mean something whi Americans say that they’ re Cana- dian when they’re in Europe?’ © Dave Culla By Garth Turner Halton-Peel MP Let’s take a few minutes to think marking 125 years of Confedera- tion, and also coming at a tim when the future of the country itself is being debat Over the last few ‘days, as I travelled on business, I was remind- ed again of the beauty of this place. to northern Alberta, across the Rockies and into the fields of peat moss on the lower mainland of British Columbia. Everywhere I went, I talked to people about what Canada means, about our future together and what they think is right and wrong with the country. Let me make this report to you: * Thousands of miles from here, people feel the same bursting pride. They are not surprised that the United Nations found this to be the best country on the planet in which to live. They’re aware that a million people a year try to get into Canada from other countries, because of Canada’s reputation as some kind of paradise. e Everywhere, average people want the national bickering to end. They want the Constitution fixed, and Quebec recognized as an im- portant part of a unified country. Canada, they say, is stronger for being French and English, im- rant and aboriginal and for having Seon so different from each of ow n ed Town ‘Hall meeting in British Columbia, peo- ple were eager to hear what folks in similar meetings in Georgetown id Bolton had to say about Canada. They want it unified, I said, with a strong economy, less government, lower taxes ani common-sense laws. It turned out the people there think the same way we In a church hall in Edmonton, I heard a Metis sing a song He had written about Canada, through the eyes of Canadian soldiers who had given their lives Fy id g gregation responded with an out- pouring of support. Everywhere, I sensed that peo- ple want this Canada Day to mark a new beginning. The common people don’t believe the country should suffer because a bunch of politicians can’t agree on Senate reform. They don’t believe that special interest groups should be pepe the national agenda. They have compassion for native people, but even aborginials were telling me their leaders are getting radical. Somewhere over the last couple of years, we lost perspective on Canada. Growing negative and cynical, we forgot about all the MP reflects on Canada’s 125" things that make this country one of the most favored anywhere. While 35. million Americans | have no health wes hte Cc teed pi While people in SMEs Bi Teh a bitter civil war, the world selected a Canadian soldier to lead the UN convoy into embattled Sarajevo so hundreds of thousands of people there could get relief. le an economic recession of has be earmarked by datcraatignal bodies for the fastest rec and greatest job growth. And Canada was ap- plauded just days ago at the UN environment summit for having the best Green Plan in the world. asured eel perfection, hee has t wrong with it. But meas aud ee all the other countries of the world, this nation is an oasis of tolerance, wealth and quality of life. This Canada Day, let’s celebrate that. Fly a flag, march in a parade, come to a picnic, be with your family - find your own way to be a Sue Dorothy and I will be at community events across the ain before I have to return to Parliament in a few more days, and | I hope we have a chance to ch Canada together! a] The true north - strong and free, and ours. FAX SERVICE 853-1855 ATTENTION: Bottle water users Distilled water available CHECK OUR PRICES! 294 QUEEN ST. E. ACTON, ONT. 853-2220 HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA! THE EXCHANGE TAVERN 37 KING STREET GEORGETO OWN, ONT. 1ON ‘CROSS FROM GO STAT LICENCED PATIO - OPEN LUNCHEON SPECIALS