Juniper House annual Purple Ribbon Campaign underway

The annual Purple Ribbon Campaign, part of an international recognition of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, is underway until Dec.10.

Purple ribbons are being worn to raise awareness about organizations working with women who are abused and to raise awareness about violence against women.

It also shows your support for abused women and their children and your desire to live in a community that is free from violence. The campaign is organized by the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, of which Juniper House is a member.

Its purpose is to commemorate the Dec. 6, 1989 killing of 14 women in Montreal, as well as to raise awareness about the far-reaching effects of violence against women.

The campaign also works towards raising awareness and informing others on how to “take action” so violence will not happen again.

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

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 genderbased 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.