Conrad Burns set out with four others Saturday morning on his way to Saskatoon (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Walk to end abuse

Walkers set out to raise awareness about domestic abuse

May 19, 2019 | 8:00 AM

A Prince Albert man who has spent several years organizing and participating in various walks to raise awareness about domestic violence is once again putting his best foot forward.

Conrad Burns and four others started a walk on Saturday morning from Prince Albert to Saskatoon as part of the 10th Annual Walk to End Abuse. The group is expected to arrive at Saskatoon City Hall on Monday night.

Burns said since he started working to raise awareness about domestic abuse, more people have been willing to speak about the problem.

“It’s starting that conversation,” he said.

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Getting a conversation going is important because Burns said many people may not be aware they are in an abusive situation.

“A lot of people don’t understand what abuse is.”

Abuse can cover a wide number of actions that are not always physical in nature. They can range from trying to control somebody by using manipulation or having violent outbursts and damaging property. Educating himself on the issue is what Burns said helped him leave an abusive relationship.

“It wasn’t until I opened a book that I realized that I was in an abusive relationship and something had to be done,” he said.

Statistics in Canada show one in four women and one in five men have been abused.

“We understand that one in 10 people across Canada are alcoholics and there’s AA, NA, lots of anti-alcohol promotions and awareness about alcohol abuse, but we don’t have a lot of promotion, awareness about, physical, sexual and emotional abuse,” he said.

One of the people joining Burns on the walk is Cory Meredith. It is his second time participating in the event.

and said he joined because he too had been in an abusive relationship and wanted to show support.

Looking at this year’s walk Meredith said he was pleased to see some growth when compared with last year.

“It’s great we have more people walking with us this year, more support than we did have last year,” he said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn