According to a 2019 Statistics Canada study, Saskatchewan holds one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the country. With a majority of cases going unreported (approximately 80%), many victims of spousal abuse suffer without being heard. Raven Daer, Communications Specialist for Envision Counseling and Support Centre, hopes to bring awareness to this issue by rallying the Southeast to take a stand against Domestic Violence with a simple gesture of support. 

"Well, November is domestic Violence awareness month and we thought that we could create this initiative where we go around and take some photos in a stand against violence with local organizations and businesses from communities in Estevan, Weyburn and Carlisle. We believe that it will have a positive impact; Portraying that these businesses and organizations are out there, recognizing that violence is prominent within our communities but also taking a stand and putting all of our efforts forward to make our communities a safer place to be." 

She adds that by seeing these prominent members of the community leading by example and displaying their willingness to condemn acts of Domestic Violence, real change can be enacted through a more positive social mindset. Already in the community of Weyburn, several respected businesses and organizations have joined the stand.

"So far we have had the Weyburn Police Service schedule with us. We have also had the Weyburn Credit Union. We've been over to Barber Motors in Weyburn, and we are also going to make a stop at CMHA. So, we are encouraging anyone who would like to participate: Please just reach out to us at our offices, or even pop on to social media and just send us a quick message there, and we will arrange to come to your location." 

WPS and Envision
 Joining this stand against Domestic Violence can embolden those who are quietly holding their pain to speak out against these injustices, paving the way towards more open and frequent discussions which dismantle the power that perpetrators may hold. To thank those who choose to join the movement, the Weyburn staff of Envision Counseling are offering a chance to win a prize simply by booking a photo session.

"Our staff here wanted to put forward a little bit of an incentive, so everybody who participates until the end of the month will be entered to win coffee and cookies on us! Recognizing that this is something that is prominent in our communities and making that conscious effort of moving forward to create safer spaces, and having these conversations a little bit more often, makes all the difference." 

To book your photo-op, contact the Envision Counseling and Support Centre in Weyburn by calling (306) 842-8821 or by visiting their Facebook Page. 

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