Community rallies against violence
Week-long events mark Family Violence Awareness Week
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, October 1, 2015
INUVIK
A crowd of more than 30 people marched from the post office to Ingamo Hall Sept. 24 to show support for the victims of violence in Inuvik and around the world.
MLA Alfred Moses, left, and Shirley Kisoun lead the rally through town from the post office to Ingamo Hall Sept. 24. Participants marched to raise awareness for family violence. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo
|
"You may think your family is perfect but deep down, there could be violence," said organizer Shirley Kisoun. "It's a huge problem. A lot of families who suffer violence don't know where to turn."
The march was just one event of many that took over the town last week to mark Family Violence Awareness Week, including a community feast and a live-music cafe evening.
Kisoun said the rally was in part to raise awareness for the issue that plagues communities across the country but especially in the North, and in part to show victims of that violence that there are people who care.
"A lot of women, they get frustrated and don't know where to go," she said. "So hopefully they'll see us and they'll know that we really care."
Melissa Kisoun, who participated in the march, said that family violence is by its nature a silent problem.
"This walk is good for the community and good for awareness," she said, explaining that the stigma around being a victim can prevent people from coming forward and seeking help. "A lot of it is about the family. It's like, it's kind of hidden, we think no one has to know."
While no men turned out for the very start of the march, a few men joined in as it went along Mackenzie Road to the Friendship Centre. Shirley said she wasn't surprised but was pleased when they joined later on.
At the hall, members from various supportive services introduced themselves and talked about their organizations, including the local women's shelter. Part of the march was to help people who are looking for help to reach out and connect with the right people.
"We're walking to support people who are going through that," Shirley said. "We're here to tell them that we care."
