Domestic violence is more prevalent than we think it is.

That is one of the first facts that people need to learn during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, stated Kelowna Women香蕉视频直播檚 Shelter (KWS) development manager Ester Pike.

She said November is always an important month for the shelter as it香蕉视频直播檚 a chance for them to educate and get the community involved in their advocacy work.

香蕉视频直播淚t is a way for us to get the community involved and educated on some of the issues that we face every single day,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 also a way for us to dispel some of those myths and stereotypes that we do often see our clients and us as an industry struggling with.香蕉视频直播�

Pike said oftentimes, people don香蕉视频直播檛 realize that domestic violence happens more often than they think it does.

香蕉视频直播淥ne in three women in Canada will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淎nd when you put that into the context of the population of Canada, that香蕉视频直播檚 quite a lot of women who do end up in that situation.香蕉视频直播�

The as well, she added. When people were first told to stay home, the assumption was only going to be for two weeks so things were a bit quiet but the longer women were stuck with their abusers, the busier KWS got.

Other assumptions that are made are that domestic violence is part of some cultures or socio-economic status, which is simply not true. Pike said that through the years, KWS has not seen any correlation when it comes to survivors who come to them for resources and those women香蕉视频直播檚 backgrounds.

香蕉视频直播淒omestic violence very much does not discriminate.香蕉视频直播�

This month, Pike said KWS will be putting an extra focus on their outreach and education efforts, showing the community the resources they have available, including counselling services, as well as preventative services for children who have been exposed to or have experienced domestic abuse.

The goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, she said, is to have more people be aware of what they are fighting against and what they are trying to help people get out of.

香蕉视频直播淛ust having that awareness, as a community member helps you then be able to look around and think 香蕉视频直播榟ey, I should check in with everybody and see if they香蕉视频直播檙e OK香蕉视频直播�. And if you do come across somebody who may be in need of our services, well you know exactly who to contact and suggest where they should go and what they can experience on the other end,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Often, we think that the only sign to look for is bruising on someone but it香蕉视频直播檚 a lot more complex than that, Pike added.

香蕉视频直播淲hat we see often is a change in behaviour or mood, which can be brushed off as having a bad day or another mental health situation,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚f she香蕉视频直播檚 a parent, it can manifest as she becomes less involved with her child香蕉视频直播� forgetfulness is also another sign. Signs of domestic violence aren香蕉视频直播檛 always visible as a black eye.香蕉视频直播�

If you would like to help women affected by domestic abuse, you can find more information on how to do that and ways to donate on the KWS .

Resources are also available through the .

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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