Remembering all of the Women who have been lost to Violence, raising awareness and taking action so that it will not happen again.
Wearing a purple ribbon shows your support for abused women and their children and your desire to live in a community that is free from violence.
The Purple Ribbon Campaign is an annual campaign now being 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 December 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 runs from November 25 to December 10, and is part of an international recognition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.
During the campaign, purple ribbons are worn to raise awareness about organizations working with women who are abused and to raise awareness about violence against women.
• At Juniper House we maintain a 15-bed shelter for women and their children leaving abusive relationships. We provide services 24 hours a day through the shelter, our crisis line and 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. 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. 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. The eradication of gender- based violence remains a crucial task.
What can you do to help?
• You can wear a purple ribbon to show your support for woman and their children who are victims of violence.
• You can distribute ribbons at your workplace or to friends and family to wear. Ribbons can be picked up by phoning 902-742-8689.
• You can educate yourself about the types of violence and the effects it has. Information can be found on our website www.juniperhouse.ca or the Transition House of Nova Scotia website http://www.thans.ca/
• You can talk to friends, family and co-workers about the support that is available in your community.
Community Activities during the Campaign:
• Juniper House will have an information table at the Yarmouth Mall from November 25th- December 10th, 2016. Purple Ribbons and Juniper House’s information will be available at the display during the duration of the campaign.
• A vigil will be taking place at Frost Park on December 6th at 5:00pm, to commemorate the December 6, 1989 killing of 14 women in Montreal. This is organized by the South West Labour Group. The public is welcome to attend.
• Juniper House staff are facilitating Community Art Projects on December 6th in Digby and in Shelburne, entitled “Daily Acts of Resistance”. Please phone in Digby 902- 245- 4789 or in Shelburne 902- 749-7170 for more information about these workshops.
For more information on the campaign please phone us at 902-742- 4473 or 902-742-8689.
Not one more woman.
