This November, during Woman Abuse Prevention Month, Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre (Cornerstone) is calling on our Northumberland County community members to take action to respond to high rates of femicide and other forms of gender- based violence (GBV). Across Ontario, communities are coming together to support this year’s Wrapped in Courage Campaign that will run throughout November under the theme “Purple is for Everyone”; it takes a community to end gender-based violence.
Cornerstone is a not-for-profit organization providing vital services and support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in our community, and is a proud agency partner of the 2023 Wrapped in Courage campaign that has been raising awareness of gender-based violence and working to prevent femicide in Ontario since 2013. Cornerstone is concerned about the high rates of femicide and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV) across Ontario, with over 46 femicides reported by the Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses (OAITH) in the past 12 months. These femicides are preventable tragedies which devastate communities and families.
Throughout November, communities across Ontario will be coming together to show their support for GBV survivors, their children, and the services that provide resources and safety, through Wrapped in Courage flag raisings and proclamations. A Wrapped in Courage flag will be raised on Northumberland County’s Community Flagpole. In addition, at the November 15th meeting of County Council, a proclamation will come before Council to recognize November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Wrapped in Courage purple scarves and flags are symbols of the courage needed by communities in supporting survivors of violence and ending the epidemic of intimate partner violence, GBV, and femicide across Ontario. They signal a commitment to ending violence and letting survivors in our community know they are not alone.
Cornerstone will be selling handmade, Fairtrade Wrapped in Courage purple scarves throughout November, contact cfordham@cornerstonenorthumberland.ca for details and to learn more about how you can support our work. Every community member has an integral role to play when it comes to preventing gender-based violence, supporting survivors, and promoting gender equality.