November is Woman Abuse Awareness Month, and communities across Ontario will be joining with Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey to raise the flag to end-gender based violence! For the 9th year, the Wrapped in Courage campaign is mobilizing Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters across Ontario to remind everyone that now more than ever, violence continues to be the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women and girls. Throughout the month of November we ask Ontarian's to wear a Purple Scarf to show support for survivors who've had to endure gender-based violence in their homes, communities and workplaces. The purple scarf is a symbol of the courage it takes to seek support and safety from violence.

Throughout November several Wrapped in Courage flags will be raised in our community (Municipality of Kincardine, Municipality of Brockton, Nuclear Promise X (NPX), and our offices in Kincardine and Owen Sound, to name a few) and a Proclamation will be declared by Municipality of Brockton, Mayor Peabody. This Proclamation and the flag raising signals a commitment to ending gender-based violence in our community, ensuring survivors know they are not alone. We will also post poster replicas of the flags throughout the community. Women’s House provides vital safety and support services to survivors of gender-based violence and their children.

Gender-based violence is an often invisible issue, and many women and gender-diverse individuals may not be aware of the services that are available in their community. Every Ontarian has a key role to play when it comes to addressing gender-based violence and preventing femicide. Take action to address gender-based violence in a meaningful way today by:

· Talking with those close to you about how shelters in your community play an essential role for survivor safety through their programs and services and continue to have services available throughout the pandemic

· Contacting our municipal, provincial and federal politicians to let them know you want them to take action to end gender-based violence through commitments and planning at all levels of government. (MPP Lisa Thompson (Bruce) - [email protected] / MPP Bill Walker (Grey) - [email protected] )

· Connecting with Women’s House about how you can support our services

· Attending a flag raising in our community (Provincial social distancing guidelines apply), or watching it virtually on our social media pages (Municipality of Kincardine flag raising at the Davidson Centre – 1pm November 1st),

· Post and share photos and videos of Wrapped in Courage flags across Ontario!

· Stay tuned to our social media posts throughout November, with Woman Abuse Awareness Month information, news, safety tips and tools, and articles of support and solidarity throughout the month!

· November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Be Sure to wear or display a Purple Scarf or purple Stay Safe Mask (see our social media for links to purchase these items) in support of Survivors of Gender-Based Violence, and post with the hashtag #WrappedinCourage to your social media accounts!

Thank you for your continued support of gender-based violence survivors across Ontario.

source: media release, Women's House Serving Bruce & Grey