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www.insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 9, 2017 | 2 8 Calling on men to help eradicate woman abuse by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff If there is to be any progress in combating violence against women then men will need to step up and be part of the solution. That theme was repeated over and over again as local officials marked November as Woman Abuse Prevention Month during a ceremony at the Halton Regional Centre Thursday (Nov. 2). Halton Violence Prevention Council (HVPC) Chair Chondrena Vieira-Martin called violence against women not a women's issue, but a human rights issue. "We need to engage men to become accountable for their (gender's ) role in the abuse of women and to assist them in changing any behavior, attitudes and beliefs that form part of this abuse cycle." Vieira-Martin noted by providing services across the family spectrum she believes change can happen. She noted Thrive Counselling Services Halton offers a Partners Abuse Response Program for people who have used abusive behaviours with their partners. The registered charity also features the Caring Dads Program for fathers who have been abusive to their children or children's mother. Statistics presented during the ceremony noted every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. Another chilling statistic asserted there are 460,000 sexual assaults in Canada every year. Those present also heard from Chris Ventura, who spoke on behalf of Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff who was in Ottawa Thursday. He noted that one in four women would face genderbased violence in their lifetime and that rapid changes in technology allow perpetrators to direct violence through increasingly diverse and pervasive channels. Ventura also talked about the Halton Region officials, Halton police, members of the Halton Violence Prevention Council, Halton Women's Place and others attended the Halton Region Centre for a ceremony marking November as Woman Abuse Preven tion Month. | Gary Carr/Twitter photo Status of Women's Committee Report, which Damoff tabled to study violence against young women and girls in Canada. "Survivors of gender-based violence are often made to feel responsible for the violence committed against them, and responses from the judicial system, colleges and universities and other institutions can often serve to re-traumatize survivors who seek regress." Ventura said the committee made 45 recommendations to the Government of Canada and he noted the absolute necessity of engaging men and boys in addressing violence. The numerous sexual assault allegations facing Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and the #METOO campaign were not far from the minds of many. Oakville Ward 1 Councillor Sean O'Meara said the #METOO campaign, which saw women around the world take to social media to discuss their own experiences with sexual assault and harassment, put a human face to the issue. He said men could every day counter these cultural issues. Halton Police Deputy Chief Carol Crowe said every woman has the right to live in safety and to feel secure and free from the threat of violence. "While much has been done to address the issue we clearly have a long way to go," said Crowe. "As a police service, our approach can be somewhat reactive in nature. When there is a crisis, we respond. However, today is about prevention. What can we do to prevent women from suffering abuse and how can we help end the cycle of violence?" Crowe noted the Halton polices Victims Services Unit is dedicated to ensuring all victims of crime get support. Halton police also have a Victim Quick Response Program, which provides financial support to women who suffer from violence. Crowe said these funds could be used to repair broken windows or doors, provide counselling to survivors and their children and provide safe places to stay when required. Halton police also have a dedicated Domestic Violence Unit, which not only responds to incidents of domestic violence, but reviews cases where no criminal offence has been alleged to determine if there is a threat of violence. Police have also given mobile tracking systems to women at elevated risk of victimization. "These devices are issued at no cost to the individual and provide her with the peace of mind that should they find themselves in trouble police will respond to their location without delay," said Crowe. Those present heard from Tracie McGrath of the John Howard Society's Health Partner Relationship Program, which is offered to men at risk of or engaged in violence against women. McGrath noted some attendees are not aware their actions constitute abuse. 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