Thank you to everyone for coming out to support this important initiative. Thank you to members of the Leeds Grenville Interval House for raising awareness of Woman Abuse Prevention Month. The Interval House Flag will fly at the Municipal Centre for the month of November.

I’d like to thank my Council colleagues and Municipal staff for being here, along with members of the local OPP and Victim Services.

Woman Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about this important issue. The reality is far too many women face violence – whether it be physical, emotional or mental abuse.

We also know that Indigenous women continue to experience the highest rates of violence. In fact, they are killed nearly seven times the rate of non-indigenous women.

Women living in rural areas experience rates of intimate partner violence that are almost twice as high as women living in urban areas. 

In Ontario last year, over 50 women lost their lives to gender-based violence, or femicide – and that number is far greater nation-wide. In fact the stats are staggering – 184 women and girls were killed violently, primarily by men. That equates to one woman or girl killed every 48 hours.

That’s why the work of Leeds Grenville Interval House is so critical. They offer critical services such as a 24/7 crisis and support line, emergency shelter for women fleeting abuse, community and outreach support, housing assistance, child witness program and group programs.

Let us all work together to end violence against women.

- 30 -

Community Supports and Resources:

Leeds and Grenville Interval House https://lgih.ca/ | 613-342-08815
Victim Services Leeds & Grenville www.vslg.ca | 343-264-2676
Naomi House https://naomiscentre.ca/ | 613-774-2838 (24/7 Crisis Line)

Learn more about the Purple Scarf Initiative at www.wrappedincourage.ca