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Prevention of Violence Against Women Week 2015

Apr 9, 2015 | Battered Women's Support Services, YOUth Ending Violence

#BecauseYouCan

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) is committed to taking action and preventing violence against women.  Each year we commemorate Prevention of Violence Against Women Week held during the third week of April.  This year, during Prevention of Violence Against Women Week (April 12-19 2015), BWSS features the following events:

You Could Do Something to End Violence Against Women – Bus Shelter Ads

Violence against women in intimate relationships is a learned behaviour so BWSS has launched an awareness campaign drawing attention on the effects witnessing abuse has on children.  You Could Do Something To Prevent Violence Against Women bus shelter ads are positioned around the Vancouver, BC. People are invited to share photos of the ads through social media with the hashtag #BecauseYouCan.

BWSS-Shelter-Poster-1117_FINAL(Download the poster here.)

Posted with the support of the City of Vancouver.

YOUth Ending Violence Volunteer Training Program

Youth are powerful agents for change and BWSS successful Youth Ending Violence trains young women and young men to facilitate workshops on dating and sexual violence prevention. BWSS Youth facilitators learn differences between healthy and abusive relationships, dynamics of abuse, learn where and how to obtain help, understand the impact of media and social media on youth in dating relationships and how to be an empowered bystander.  BWSS Youth Ending Violence program reaches 2,000 youth annually.

Boys Will be Boys: Fighting Sexism in Media and Journalism

Saturday, April 11, 2015

The Jian Ghomeshi scandal shocked the country, but maybe we needed to be shocked. Despite all the gains made over decades for women’s rights and gender equality, even our trusted public broadcaster had failed us.

Newsrooms have long been a man’s world, and while women are occupying positions as journalists, editors, producers, and broadcasters more than ever before, it’s clear that sexism, sexual harassment, and even sexual assault remains a problem in the industry. Whereas women remained silent for years, fearing they’d lose their jobs and ruin their careers if they spoke out about the misogyny they experienced working in media, they are finally beginning to speak out, buoyed by the courage and righteous anger of their female colleagues.

This panel features four prominent and courageous women who are experts on the issue of gender discrimination, violence against women, and sexism in the media. They will address the history of this insidious problem, the current climate, and the real-life impact of sweeping sexist practices and behaviour under the rug.

This is a conversation Canada needs to have. Join us.

Speakers:

Angela Marie MacDougall

Meghan Murphy

Laura Robinson

When: Saturday, Apr 11, 2015, 2–4 p.m.

Where: Room 7000, SFU Vancouver (Harbour Centre)

Admission: Free and open to all adults, but please Register.

Creative Cafe Day – #BecauseYouCan Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls

At My Sister’s Closet located at 1092 Seymour Street (at Helmcken) in Downtown, Vancouver

April 15, 2015 from 12 pm to 6 pm

Community sharing their talents all to support ending violence.

Live Music

Sidewalk Art

Face Painting

Local Women Artisan Creations Featured

Tarot Card Readings

Spirit Bear coffee and tea

BWSS International Womens Day - POSTER_APR15

#BecauseYouCan Blog

Once again, we have convened a few serious feminist writers to contribute to our blog Ending Violence this year featuring violence prevention along with an old concept with a new name “A First Responder”.  Ending Violence Blog is at www.bwss.org/endingviolence

Taking a trip down Prevention Week memory lane

Creating Transformation – Community Engagement in Prevention of Violence Against Women – 2014

https://www.bwss.org/creating-transformation-community-engagement-in-prevention-violence-against-women/

The Bro-Code

https://www.bwss.org/the-bro-code-episode-7/

Prevention of Violence Against Women Week 2013 – It’s in your hands

https://www.bwss.org/take-action/workers-activists/training/upcoming-training/prevention-of-violence-against-women-week/

Gender Violence in the Workplace

https://www.bwss.org/gender-violence-in-the-workplace/

20 Ways Youth Can Prevent Violence Against Girls & Women

https://www.bwss.org/gender-violence-in-the-workplace/

End the Silence: 15 Ways Men Can Be Empowered Bystanders

https://www.bwss.org/end-the-silence-15-ways-men-be-an-empowered-bystander/

Info-graphic: https://www.bwss.org/end-the-silence-15-ways-men-can-be-empowered-bystanders/

How Does She Resist? Prevention of Violence Against Women Week–April 15–21, 2012

https://www.bwss.org/how-does-she-resist-prevention-of-violence-against-women-weekapril-1521-2012/

Prevention of Violence Against Women Week – April 18 – 25, 2011

https://www.bwss.org/prevention-of-violence-against-women-week-april-18-25-2011/

Prevention of Violence Against Women Week – April 18 – 25, 2010

https://www.bwss.org/prevention-of-violence-against-women-week-april-18-25-2010/

National Crime Victims Awareness Week April 22 – 28, 2012 Taking Action to End Violence Against Girls and Women

https://www.bwss.org/national-crime-victims-of-crimes-awareness-week-april-22-to-28-2012-taking-action-to-end-violence-against-girls-and-women/

National Crime Victims Awareness Week 2012 – Violence, Women & Access to Justice

https://www.bwss.org/national-crime-victims-awareness-week-2012-violence-women-access-to-justice/

National Crime Victim Awareness Week 2012 – Court Related Abuse and Harassment

https://www.bwss.org/national-crime-victim-awareness-week-2012-court-related-abuse-and-harassment/

National Crime Victims Awareness Week – April 10 – 17, 2011

https://www.bwss.org/national-crime-victims-awareness-week-2011/

National Crime Victim’s Awareness Week – Start the conversation, take action, end violence

https://www.bwss.org/national-crime-victims-awareness-week-start-the-conversation-take-action-end-violence/

 

You could do something to End Violence Against Women

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Youth Working Together To Prevent Dating Violence

Feb 25, 2015 | Battered Women's Support Services, YOUth Ending Violence

BWSS offers training to young women and young men who want to volunteer for our YOUth Ending Violence Program and facilitate workshops for youth.

To provide youth with knowledge on the differences between healthy and abusive relationships, understanding the dynamics of abuse; learn where and how to obtain help; understand the impacts of social media and media on youth in dating relationships and how to be an empowered bystander.

Youth Working Together To Prevent Dating Violence Youth Working Together To Prevent Dating ViolenceYouth Working Together To Prevent Dating Violence

 

Participants will learn:
• The Roots of Gender Violence & Dating Violence
• Media Literacy Skills
• Role of Social Media and Gender Based Violence
• Co-Facilitation/ Presentation Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Empowered Bystander Intervention

 2015 TRAINING DATES APRIL 11, 12, 18 and 19

Join Battered Women’s Support Services and Facilitate Dating Violence Prevention Workshop for Youth.

Youth Working Together To Prevent Dating Violence

Here are the facts telling us why youth engagement in dating violence prevention is much needed and can make a big difference.

To register or for more information call Rona at 778.558.7179 or email yev@bwss.org

BWSS Youth Ending Violence FEB-2015-POSTER

You can download the poster here.

Learn more about our YOUth Ending Violence Program here.

If you could do something to end violence against girls and women, wouldn’t you?

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YOUth Ending Violence ~ Education Presentation Opportunity

Oct 6, 2014 | Battered Women's Support Services, BWSS Programs, YOUth Ending Violence

For 20 years Battered Women’s Support Services has delivered dating violence prevention education.
YOUth Engagement in Dating Violence Prevention.
Co-facilitated by a trained young woman and a young man.

Anticipated outcomes:

• A better understanding of the roots of dating violence
• Types of abuse
• Healthy Relationships
• How to help a friend who is being abused
• Effective bystander intervention
• Safety Planning
• Media Literacy Skills
• Online/Social Media Safety

The length of the workshop is approximately 50 minutes. Two and four hour workshops are available upon request.
Book as soon as possible as our calendar fills up very quickly.
ALL THE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE
By providing relevant education to youth about violence in dating relationships we are helping to end violence.

FOR INFORMATION call Rona at 778.558.7179 or email yev@bwss.org

BWSS-Youth-Engagment-OCT-03-2014_2

To download poster, please visit here.

For more information about YOUth Ending Violence Program, please visit the program page:

 If you could do something to end violence against girls and women, wouldn’t you?

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One Future Without Violence

Sep 10, 2014 | YOUth Ending Violence

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 every year to mobilize efforts of individuals to save lives. This year the World Suicide Prevention Day theme is ‘Suicide Prevention: One World Connected‘ reflects the fact that connections are essential at many levels to combat suicide.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year. Over 14 percent of high school students have considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it.

At Battered Women’s Support Services we apply a gender lens and see an alarming relation between gender violence and suicide.

  • Over the past decade cases of suicides linked to cyber bullying has grown, research shows  78% of victims bullied online and in person
  • Victims of bullying are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims
  • 10 to 14 year old girls may be at even higher risk for suicide as a result of gender-based violence they experience
  • Nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying, and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying

Gender-based violence has serious long-term impact on the emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual well-being of girls and women which can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to address this connection to mobilize our efforts to prevent failing girls and women as a result of violence.

Today, our YOUth Ending Violence Team sprung into action to initiate “One Future Without Violence Campaign” to mobilize efforts to save lives.

“Violence against women and girls continues to be epidemic in every continent, country and culture. It is happening everywhere, it is happening in our backyards, and it is affecting all of us.  We are living in this world, but that is not the future we want to live.”

Visit our One Future Without Violence Campaign and show your support by joining us here! We are counting on you to be one of the incredible people who help us to create a future without violence.

Sources: http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html

http://www.nysenate.gov/files/SuicideBullyingBrochure.pdf

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/cyberbullying-linked-suicides-rising-study-says-1.1213435

 

Last year, Battered Women’s Support Services responded to over 13,000 crisis calls from women and girls to get help and end violence. We could not provide this essential support without your contribution.

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BWSS Youth in Action in 2014!

Jul 11, 2014 | Battered Women's Support Services, YOUth Ending Violence

By Rona Amiri

1Youth can ignite huge movements that can truly change society despite barriers such as ageism, sexism and racism. Everyday youth are making an impact in their communities around the world! Here in our community youth are working towards ending violence against girls and women! In just a short few months our YOUth Ending Violence workshops have reached 700 youth! We have trained 6 new youth volunteers who are committed to making an impact on other youth!

Why is this work important? Well, dating violence is the highest among the 15-24 age group, making up 43% of all incidents of dating violence!

We have presented to youth all over the Greater Vancouver area in from New Westminster to North Vancouver! We have been to some exceptional schools where teachers and counselors understand the importance of violence prevention! Schools Riverside Secondary in Port Coquitlam and Glen Eagle in Coquitlam ask us to facilitate workshops for the youth in their planning 10 classes every year!

All of this work is possible because of our amazing volunteers who are committed to ending violence!

YEVWorkshops have been going amazingly! We are able to see the impact of our workshops with our evaluations. Here are some comments left by youth participants on our evaluations:

“The workshops impacted me and opened my eyes and helped me realize there are many forms of abuse. It helped me realize that women can get help and that I may have been in one [abusive relationship]” Female – 16

“I realized that I made some mistakes with my ex and now I realize her point of view.” Boy -16

“I learned that violence against women is a lot more integrated in our society.” Boy-17

“It impacted me greatly. If I were in a relationship I would know what not to do.” Boy -15

“It [the presentation] will impact my whole life.” Girl – 18

“I am now informed on stopping violence.” Boy -16

“It helped me see a possible abusive relationship of one of my friends.” Girl – 15

“Shocked me seeing the numbers [statistics of violence] and learning how the media talks about violence.” Boy-15

1We want to thank all of the amazing volunteers, youth, schools, organizations, and adult allies we have worked with in the last few months! It is fantastic to see the community respond so positively to the work we do and understand the need for this work to continue!

We have upcoming workshops this summer in different community organizations such as The Peak House! And we are already booking workshops for the new school year at Langley Education Center and York House School!

We also hope to train more youth volunteers because of the high volume of workshop requests we have received in such a short period of time! Stay tuned for more on that!

Exciting things are coming up for us and we want you to be a part of it! Join us on social media to see what’s new with our program and where we are in the community!

For more information on our violence prevention workshops for youth or to become a volunteer call Rona at 604-318-2011 or email yev@bwss.org

If you could do something to end violence against girls and women, wouldn’t you?

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Youth Engagement in Dating Violence Prevention

Jul 7, 2014 | Battered Women's Support Services, Volunteer, YOUth Ending Violence

YOUth Ending Violence

Join Battered Women’s Support Services

Facilitate Dating Violence Prevention Workshops for Youth

BWSS offers training to young women and young men who want to volunteer for our YOUth Ending Violence Program and facilitate workshops for youth. To provide youth with knowledge on the differences between healthy and abusive relationships, understanding the dynamics of abuse; learn where and how to obtain help; understand the impacts of social media and media on youth in dating relationships and how to be an empowered bystander.

Participants will learn:

• The Roots of Gender Violence & Dating Violence
• Media Literacy Skills
• Role of Social Media and Gender Based Violence
• Co-Facilitation/ Presentation Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Empowered Bystander Intervention

TRAINING DATES:

September 13, 14, 20 and 21st  2014.

To register or for more information call RONA at 604.318.2011 or email yev@bwss.org

photo_June2014

You can download the poster here.

To learn more about our YOUth Ending Violence Program, please visit this link.

 If you could do something to end violence against girls and women, wouldn’t you?

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