Juniper House holding Purple Ribbon Campaign

Yarmouth vigil planned for Dec. 6 as part of National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Remembering all of the women who have been lost to violence, raising awareness and taking action so that it will not happen again are all goals of the annual Purple Ribbon Campaign.

The event began Nov. 25 and continues until Dec. 10 and is promoted in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties by Juniper House.

Juniper House says wearing a purple ribbon shows support for women and their children whose lives have been affected by violence. The ribbons demonstrate people’s desire to live in a community that is free from violence.

During the campaign, purple ribbons are also worn to raise awareness about organizations working with women who are abused and to raise awareness about violence against women.

The Purple Ribbon Campaign is an annual campaign organized by the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, of which Juniper House is a member. The purpose of the campaign is to commemorate the Dec. 6, 1989 killing of 14 women in Montreal, as well as to raise awareness about the farreaching effects of violence against women.

The campaign is part of an international recognition of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, which also includes the Dec. 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Juniper House maintains a 15bed shelter for women and their children leaving abusive relationships. It provides services 24 hours a day through the shelter, its crisis line and through outreach services to women in Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne counties.

Juniper House is a non-profit organization based on the belief a woman has a right to personal dignity, safety, and freedom from fear and physical and/or psychological coercion. It says a woman has a right to information, to moral and personal freedom, and the right to exercise personal autonomy in making decisions, to make choices affecting her own life and to accept responsibility for these decisions.

Abuse of women comes in many forms, physical abuse being only one kind. Abuse can encompass sexual, financial or verbal abuse as well as abuse of civil and economic rights.

The eradication of gender-based violence remains a crucial task. Children who witness violence at home are more apt to be part of the same cycle as adults, either as perpetrators or as casualties of the abuse.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DURING THE CAMPAIGN:

• Juniper House will have public information tables at the Yarmouth Mall, the Barrington Municipal Library, the McKay Memorial Library in Shelburne, the Clark’s Harbour Public Library and the NSCC Digby Campus until Dec. 10. Purple Ribbons and Juniper House’s information will be available at the display during the duration of the campaign.

• During the campaign, Juniper House will have available and promote Rings of Affirmation. These are a collection of positive affirmation cards that promote healthy self esteem and positive self-talk, as well include information about Juniper House.

• There will be an information session held at the Family Centre in Digby on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m.

• There will be a candlelight vigil held by the South West Labour Group in Frost Park on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. In case of bad weather the vigil will be held inside the town hall.

For more information on the campaign you can call 902-7428689. And remember the slogan: Not one more woman.