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Ending violence against women

Dec 5, 2010 | 1:46 PM

Nobody has the right to abuse someone else – that’s the message executive director for the Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women hopes will be heard on Monday.

The women of the shelter will be joining the silent march that the Community Against Family Violence is holding. They leave at noon from the Gateway Mall.

It is an annual event for The Community against Family Violence.

In the evening, time will be set aside for a sharing circle and a candle-light vigil at the shelter with the residents there. During this time the women will be able to light a candle for anyone who’s lost their lives to violence.

Carol Soles, executive director for the Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women said, violence is definitely in the community even though it may not always be seen.

“Last year we had well over 7,000 women and children in a daily attendance at our shelter. At any given time we have between 30 and 40 individuals on our wait list.”

While Soles understands those number are shocking, that is only the tip of the iceberg.

“Only about 10 per cent of women who get abused use the shelter,” said Soles

“It’s important to us to do something to help them move forward.”

Soles said, the more educated women become about this issue the more are realizing its time get away from the abuse.

She added that though the facilities in the area are excellent, there needs to be even more.

sfroese@panow.com