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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, November 6, 2013 | 10 Woman abuse a human rights and societal issue by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Twenty-five years after November was designated Women Abuse Prevention Month, Canada still finds itself in a place where a woman is killed by her partner nearly every six days. Members of the Halton Violence Prevention Council pointed to this grim fact during Monday's launch of Women Abuse Prevention Month. They noted Canada still has a long way to go to end violence against women and children. "I'm sure everyone here would agree it is every woman's fundamental right to live free from violence. Yet, it continues," said Diane Beaulieu, executive director of Halton Women's Place and Halton Violence Prevention Council co-chair. "We hear about it in the news and we see it in our agencies. Every time a woman or child is killed by someone they trusted or loved, we feel it at our very core." Beaulieu argued violence against women is a human rights and societal issue. She called on men to be part of the solution and for the community to raise awareness of this ongoing issue. Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring said violence against women can be physical or sexual, as well as emotional, verbal, financial or spiritual. Abuse of women knows no boundaries, he From left, Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner, Halton Women's Place Executive Director Diane Beaulieu, Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring and Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr, show the purple scarves women's shelters across Ontario, including Halton, are selling this month to raise awareness about the abuse of women. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) said, noting it can be found among all cultures, races, religions, income groups and age ranges. Goldring lauded the provincial Neighbours, Friends and Family Campaign, which raises awareness of the signs of abuse; and Halton Women's Place's Healthy Relationships Program, which educates students about dating violence and harassment. To show support for women who have been or are abused, Goldring said Burlington City Hall would be illuminated purple in November. That colour has come to symbolize the fight to end violence against women. Later this month, Burlington's Brant Street Pier will also feature purple lighting, said Goldring. Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr said region- al council unanimously passed a motion declaring a zero tolerance policy of violence against women. Carr said the motion solidifies Halton Region's commitment to ending violence in any shape or form and to support those who have been victims of abuse. Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner said domestic violence continues to be an issue in the region with approximately 4,000 incidents investigated in Halton each year. Of these incidents, 700-800 result in criminal charges being laid. "We have full-time staff for domestic violence, something we never had in days gone by, and we need to do everything we can as police officers and, as citizens here in Halton, to work with our councils, to work with our partners and decrease domestic violence at every turn when we can," said Tanner. "We are certainly looking forward to our continued commitment to prevent and raise awareness of violence against women in our community and beyond in the Province of Ontario and across Canada." Those present also heard from an abuse survivor (name withheld) who spoke about her experience of being sexually abused as a child, beginning at age six, and then being trapped for years in an abusive marriage she has since escaped. "Today my goal is to offer hope to those of see Help on p.15 What's in a name? A lot more than you'd expect. DundeeWealth, now part of Scotiabank, has become HollisWealth. Our advisors still have the freedom to provide you with independent advice like they always have, only now they're backed by the strength of Canada's most international bank. It's this perfect combination of flexibility and stability that proves HollisWealth is more than just a new name. Visit holliswealth.com HollisWealth is a trade name of Scotia Capital Inc., HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. and HollisWealth Advisory Services Inc. Scotia Capital Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. HollisWealth Advisory Services Inc. is a member of the Mutual Fund Dealer Association of Canada and the MFDA Investor Protection Corporation. ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license. TM Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence.