Alberta has the fourth highest incident rate of family violence among Canadian provinces (excluding the three territories) according to a 2016 Statistics Canada Report, which is the most recent data. At 294 incidents per 100,000 - or 12,210 reported cases – the number of reported cases is down slightly from the previous year. Unfortunately, the decrease is so negligible that it is nothing to get excited about. This month is Family Violence Prevention Month and more must be done to protect the more than 80,000 victims across Canada each year, and that just represents the number of cases that have been reported. While incidents of victimization is higher among women and higher still within aboriginal communities, this is an issue that isn't about race or gender, it's about community. Violence thrives in the shadows and dies under the light, which means we all have a responsibility to help protect each other. All too often – with family abuse more than any other form of assault – people have a tendency to ignore it as not their business. They justify it by saying they don't know the whole story, by blaming the victim or because they don't know how to help. It isn't until it's often too late or the abuse becomes too much to handle that there is some kind of intervention, usually in the form of emergency response. What we need is more resources and to recognize that as a community we are here to help people who are in danger. Cochrane is making strides toward creating safe spaces for people trying to escape family violence. Work toward the Big Hill Haven Women's Shelter will create a second such facility in the area for women and children fleeing abuse. The Eagle's Nest Stoney Family Shelter is the other. FCSS and Cochrane and Area Victim Services also have resources that can help people navigate the system and seek help. While those are the traditional methods of seeking help, what if there was a way that allowed neighbours to help neighbours giving people places to go until they find an official route or if they can no longer wait for emergency services and need a place to go immediately. Perhaps it is time for a Block Parent-style program geared toward family violence victims, that provides an opportunity for community homes to designate themselves as refuges for people needing help. Such homes would be screened by the police, provided the tools and resources to keep people safe until a care plan can be developed, and be visible. While the visible nature of such a home might give some pause, if properly managed they would be safe, but more importantly, they would bring family violence out of the shadows. If we create programs that give us all the power to help and eliminate shame we can begin to help put an end to domestic violence.
