AUPE working to shed light on violence against women
EDMONTON – The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is a time for Alberta’s largest union to focus attention on the continuing problem that puts many of our mothers, sisters, and daughters in danger in homes, communities and workplaces across the province.
“Violence against women and domestic violence are a dark corner of our society, and as a union dedicated to bettering the state of ordinary people, it is our duty to shine a light into that corner,” said AUPE Vice-President and Chair of the union’s Women’s Committee Sandra Azocar.
“Statistics Canada has reported that the 2009 spousal homicide rate has remained the same for three years, and that the self-reported spousal violence rate has been the same since 2004,” Azocar said. “Sexual assaults also went up in 2010 for the first time since 2005. That is unacceptable, and as a society we need to refocus our energies on preventing these types of violence.”
AUPE President Guy Smith said the union will continue to take action against violence by advocating for things like working-alone legislation, effective workplace safety rules and anti-harassment language in all contracts.
“Our Women’s Committee has also made available to our members and the public a Domestic Violence Toolkit, which is an invaluable resource for anyone touched by domestic violence,” said Smith.
The toolkit – available online at www.stopdomesticviolence.ca/tool-kit/ – brings together valuable information and resources for victims of domestic violence and their advocates in the community and workplace.
The National Day of Remembrance was proclaimed by parliament in 1991 in memory of 14 young women who were slain Dec. 6, 1989 at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.
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For more information, contact:
Guy Smith, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-265-2294 (cellular phone)
Sandra Azocar, Vice-President, AUPE, 780-930-5204 or 780-906-6884 (cellular phone)