Family Violence Prevention Month
PROTECTING
FAMILIES
together, everyone WINS
Each year, Calgary responds to 20,000 calls related to domestic violence.
November is Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta, which focuses on raising awareness and preventing family violence. The campaign emphasizes creating a safer community by promoting healthy relationships, providing resources, and offering support for those who are experiencing domestic and gender-based violence.
Our mission is to create a Calgary where every home is a place of love, safety, and support. By joining hands and fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and open communication, we can break the cycle of violence and build stronger, healthier relationships.
Here's what YOU can do today:
Wear Purple Ribbons
The purple ribbon signifies hope and change during Family Violence Prevention Month. Wear this purple ribbon to declare your commitment to ending family violence and fostering healthier relationships. It's a time for unity, reflection, and a pledge to create a violence-free future in Calgary.
You can also make a donation today to help us sustain our programs and services.
Women In Need Society (WINS) works tirelessly to prevent abuse and support families.
At WINS, our commitment revolves around creating a safer, more secure community, free from the grasp of family and gender-based violence. We tirelessly work to prevent abuse and provide support to families.
Below are different ways WINS can help:
Healthy Relationships Focus: WINS Community Support has a "healthy relationships" component where supportive relationships are described and explained further, participants are aided in identifying these supports in their lives.
Informative Resources: Our Community Resource Hubs are stocked with handouts and posters to raise awareness, which visitors can take or photograph for their own reference.
House to Home: For those escaping family violence, our House to Home services provide support in restarting their lives.
Knowledgeable Staff: Our Community Support staff are well-informed about family violence resources, ensuring people can easily access help. They can assist with disclosures and safety planning, offering crisis assessments, and guidance.
Goal Management: We work with family violence survivors to build their confidence, access mental health resources, search for housing, and create a plan to access government support.
Collaboration with Calgary Agencies: We partner with various city agencies to facilitate participant access to support when experiencing family violence.
A Community of Support
Our goal is to build a community where every home is filled with love, safety, and support. Through unity and the cultivation of a culture marked by respect, empathy, and open communication, we can put an end to the cycle of violence and nurture healthier relationships.
See below for other ways you can access help or show your support:
Calgary: 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline
Having someone there when you need it most can bring relief. The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter's Family Violence Helpline is your 24/7 lifeline. Their Helpline Counselors are available around the clock, every day of the year. They offer advice, help you plan for safety, give you information, and connect you to resources in different languages.
Alberta: Clare's Law
The Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare’s Law) Act provides individuals who feel threatened by domestic violence with a means to access information about their partners. This empowers them to make informed decisions regarding their safety. In Alberta, this version of Clare’s Law is named after a young woman who tragically lost her life to an ex-boyfriend with a history of violence against women. It stands as a tribute to her memory and a beacon of hope for those seeking protection.
Canada: Signal for Help
The "Signal for Help" is a resource developed by the Canadian Women’s Foundation to aid individuals facing gender-based violence. This discreet, one-handed gesture offers a means of silently reaching out for assistance without leaving any digital footprint. It serves as a way for someone to discreetly communicate their need for a safe check-in and support from others. Want to learn how to respond to these signs of abuse? Become a Signal Responder today.
Other Resources
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse support and information line: 403-237-5888
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Calgary Distress Centre 24-hour Crisis line: 403-266-4357 (HELP)
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Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter 24-hour Help Line: 403-234-7233 (SAFE)
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Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437 (KIDS)
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Family Violence Info Line: 310-1818 is available toll-free to Albertans 24/7 in over 170 languages
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Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence: call or text 1-866-403-8000
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Alberta Works Support for people fleeing abuse 24-hour hotline: 1-866-644-5135
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Family Violence Info Line chat is available 24/7 daily in English
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Emergency Shelters throughout the province provide safe locations to stay for people fleeing violent or abusive situations.