As Home Violence Consciousness Month kicked off, survivors and their allies gathered at Lambton Mall in Sarnia, Ont. to not solely carry consideration to the abuse, but additionally elevate cash for the native shelter.
The tenth annual Stroll a Mile was held Saturday to begin the Shine the Gentle marketing campaign and illuminate Sarnia.
“I was in a violent situation, a marriage that was just really hard to escape from,” mentioned Candace Hamilton, who left her companion 40 years in the past.
She took her four-year previous and sought refuge on the Ladies’s Interval Dwelling (WIH).
“I left many times to escape, and it took quite a few times to be honest, to finally break the violent situation. I probably tried six times before I finally left,” mentioned Hamilton, who informed her story to the group on the occasion.
Home violence survivor Candace Hamilton tells her story to the group on the tenth annual ‘Walk A Mile’ occasion at Lambton Mall in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 (Supply: Brent Lale/ Ontario Chronicle London)
Hamilton can be one of many survivors who’ve been courageous sufficient to place her face and story on a banner, which is able to stay on the mall over the subsequent two months.
“Unfortunately, the situation for women isn’t getting better, so we have to speak louder and say that it’s enough,” says Hamilton.
That is the third 12 months with the banners on show, however this 12 months they created new ones as a result of an increasing number of survivors maintain coming ahead.
Banners that includes native home violence survivors and their tales are on show at Lambton Mall in Sarnia, Ont. One is seen on Nov. 2, 2024. (Supply: Brent Lale/CTV London)
“We’re really emphasizing sharing stories and bringing the community together to say, ‘this is your community, we are here to support you and you are not alone,’” mentioned Josephine Ethier, fundraising and advertising and marketing coordinator at WIH.
“We bring everyone here today to kind of educate everyone about the Women’s Interval Home, to raise a little bit of money, but then also to do a walk of solidarity so that everyone can walk for those maybe that aren’t with us anymore or that are struggling with us.”
Ethier mentioned the WIH is at capability with a typical year-round waitlist. The cash raised Saturday will go towards increasing programming and counselling.
“We truly emphasize our programs that we have, including the counselors, so that you can come in before or after (you leave),” mentioned Ethier.
“Maybe you don’t need emergency shelter right away, but all of our counselors are there for you always. Or our support programs are there always.”
Tasha Barwise additionally informed her story of surviving home violence. She went to WIH and has now come full circle as an worker.
“I was very isolated and very alone as a survivor of domestic violence and trying to find my way out and gain some independence, get back on my feet and rebuild my family,” mentioned Barwise.
“The Women’s Interval Home has been so much more than just a shelter. I’ve learned a lot of life skills; a lot of counseling and I’ve learned what was acceptable and unacceptable in a relationship”.
She needs an occasion like Stroll a Mile was going down when she was struggling, as it might have helped.
A bagpiper leads the tenth annual ‘Walk A Mile’ occasion at Lambton Mall in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 (Supply: Brent Lale/ Ontario Chronicle London)
Working with survivors, she believes the subsequent answer is transitional housing.
“We have women and children come into our shelter and they’re leaving their home, they’re leaving everything that they know,” mentioned Barwise.
“They come into our shelter, and they have to scramble to find a place to go and find housing. And then the housing crisis that we’re experiencing today, that’s probably one of the most heart-wrenching things. We heal from our abuse, and we heal from the trauma, but if you don’t have a place to go and heal and a place to call home in a sanctuary and lock the door at night, knowing that no one’s coming through that door, how do you heal and move forward?”
