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Huron Expositor, 2006-09-27, Page 32Here's your. opportunity to save Ii•es1 Please give at the Blood Donor clinic in Seaforth. Monday, October2, 2006 1:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Seaforth Community Centre 122 Duke Street Please call and make an appointment today. 1 A Call 1 888 2 DONATE for more information or to book an appointment. www.bloodservices.ca The Municipality of HURON EAST 519-527-0160 Seaforth Agricultural Society 519-527-1321 McLaughlin Chevrolet Ltd. 13 Main St. Seaforth 519.527.1 140 L. MGrath Plumbing & Heating Inc. Seaforth 519.522.0493 Brian E. Wightman Certified General Accountant Seaforth 519-527-1331 Whitney-Ribey Funeral Home 519-527-1390 87 Goderich St. W. Seaforth age 32 September 27, 2006 • The Huron Expositor News Women Today of Huron participate in province -wide campaign ainled at raising awareness about woman abuse In recognition of this year's Take Back the Night last week, Women Today of Huron (WTH) is asking the community to reflect on the lack of safety many women in Huron County have in their own homes. Every year, thousands of women across Canada take to the streets on the third Thursday in September to "Take Back the Night." The original purpose for this march, back in the 1970s', was to protest the fact that many women were in danger of violence merely by walking on their own streets at night. "Here in Huron County, such a protest may seem misleading because the reality is that women are statistically safer walking the streets in Goderich than where they should feel most safe - their homes," said Pam Hanington, WTH execu- tive director. Hanington added that people may think of safety as "looking out for the bad guy in the bushes", but the reality is that those who commit violence against women are rarely strangers. Most often they are men who women know and usually have every reason to trust. Most abusers of women are men who live in or have access to women's homes. Whenever there is violence against women in homes, children, who are among our most vulnerable citizens, also experience this vio- lence. "We all want to live in a safe com- munity,' said Hanington. "Community safety is among the many reasons people choose to live here in Goderich and other small, rural communities in Huron County. However, a community is only as safe as its most vulnerable citizens - and if women and children can't be safe in our community in their own homes - then where?" This year, the women and chil- dren of this community are not tak- ing the annual "Take Back the Night" message to the streets. Instead, "we're encouraging you, as citizens and caring members of this community, to take this mes- sage into your homes, to your neigh- bours, friends and families." "Talk to each other about the problem of violence against women and find out more about how you can help," said Harington. To help members of our communi- ties take action against violence against women, WTH will be partic- ipating in a province -wide campaign called Neighbours, Friends and Families. The campaign will raise aware- ness of the signs of woman abuse so people who are close to an at -risk woman or an abusive man can help. WTH will be holding an official launch of the local campaign in November. Printed materials that identify warning signs of abuse, out- line safety planning tips for women who are abused and offer advice about how to talk to men who are abusive, will be available at various locations throughout the county and are available now at Women Today's West Street office. For more information about the campaign, visit www.neighbours- friendsandfamilies.on.ca or call WTH 519-524-6767. The NFF campaign encourages you to say something about violence when you see it, and if you know sordeone who is experiencing vio- lence at home - take action. Find a way to let her know that everyone has the right to be safe - and that there are people and ser- vices available to help. Give her the women's shelter number - 524-6245 or 1-800-265- 5506. The women's shelter phone num- ber is on the inside front cover of every phone book in the county. Support and assistance is avail- able 24 hours a day, seven days a week. WTH supports women in transition from violence in a num- ber of ways including relevant groups for women, assistance with safety planning, clothing for inter- views or court and other practical supports. WTH is open Monday - Friday from 9:30-4:30. Please call 524-6767 or 1-888-547-3478. And, if you're a woman who needs emergency assistance, please call the women's shelter or 911.