Campaign promotes safe shelter
Numerous services available to aid victims of domestic violence
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ
The Rankin Inlet-based Kataujaq Society is using National Victims of Crime Awareness Week as a vehicle to increase awareness of the services available to people who may need help escaping a violent situation.
Kataujaq Society board of directors vice-president Michelle Jackson, left, and Ottawa University student Iman Amin display the poster the society hopes will increase awareness of the services available to victims across the Kivalliq, earlier this week in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The society received $8,075 from Justice Canada's Victims Fund, as well as an additional $3,000 from the University of Ottawa, to launch a region-wide awarenessraising campaign.
Victim's Week is being used to promote the services of the Kataujaq Society's safe shelter throughout the Kivalliq.
Katuajaq board of directors vicepresident Michelle Jackson said the main objective is to spread awareness of the high rates of domestic violence in Nunavut, and to inform the women and families of the Kivalliq region that a safe shelter is available to victims of domestic violence who are seeking safe refuge.
She said the society is hoping to encourage women to seek help and assistance from local agencies, including social services, mental health and the RCMP, if they, or someone they know, is experiencing abuse.
"The safe shelter provides safe refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence," said Jackson.
"The society wants to raise awareness for Victim's Week (April 19 to 25), and to let people know about the safe shelter and, just as importantly, the services of a number of various agencies for victims of domestic violence.
"Articling student Iman Amin of the University of Ottawa is in Rankin working on a practicum at legal aid," Jackson said.
"She has also been working with the society's executive support, and put a lot of time and effort into making this project possible."
Posters have been ordered from Iqaluit for the society to have posted in public areas of high visibility throughout the Kivalliq.
It is hoped people seeking help, but who may not want it known, will see the information on the posters and know there are different agencies available to them.
Jackson said the board is concerned people in other Kivalliq communities still may not realize the safe shelter is available, even though its been operated in Rankin by the non-profit society since 1985.
She said board members want to make sure people around the region know there is help out there, and that they're not alone.
"The safe shelter is just one aspect, and there is a social services policy of different criteria a client has to meet before being sent to Rankin.
"We really want people to know that, even if the safe shelter isn't available, there is help through the RCMP, health centre, social services, victim's support and mental health," Jackson said.
"There's a lot of different agencies out there who truly want to help, and just going to see someone at the local health centre could open the doors to finding other resources."
