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Walk of Hope set for Friday - cancelled

Women's shelter creating awareness throughout month of November
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Students take part in a past Walk of Hope. This year, the event will be much smaller, but will take place on Nov. 6. File photo.

The Walk of Hope scheduled to take place on Nov. 6 has been cancelled.

"Due to the increased risk of covid present in our community, we have decided to cancel our Walk of Hope this year, as a proactive measure," said executive director Noreen Cotton, Monday morning.

Original Story:

ST. PAUL - With a marked increase in domestic violence incidents in 2020, this year's Family Violence Prevention Month events are crucial to creating awareness about a very serious issue.

On Nov. 6, a small group of people will walk from the Capella Centre's parking lot in St. Paul, toward main street, walking one block, and then turning back north toward the Town of St. Paul office. Although the event will be much smaller than it has been over the past few years, the message will be just as important.

Normally, a large group of students and staff from schools take part in the walk. Due to measures around COVID, that won't be possible, says Noreen Cotton, executive director with the women's shelter. Normally, there are about 200 people walking together during the Walk of Hope - this year, Cotton anticipates just 20 to 30 people.

Organizers felt it was still important to continue on with the walk this year, and have chosen to scale down the event.

"We didn't want to lose the momentum," said Cotton, adding, the walk offers an opportunity to create awareness, and that awareness has been proven to save lives.

People will be carrying signs, promoting the anti-violence message, and will also be required to wear masks. Groups will be encouraged to keep their distance from other groups of people during the walk. At the end, Mayor Maureen Miller will say a few words outside the town hall.

The Walk of Hope started 11 years ago, with the very first walk being about the same size as what is expected for Friday. Over the years it has grown, and its message has reached more and more people. This year's walk will begin at 1 p.m.

Speaking specifically on what the shelter is seeing locally, Cotton confirms the trend is a marked increase in the severity of abuse.

“It’s very disturbing and it’s very scary.”

She adds there are also more children being seen at the shelter.

“Our staff are tired. It’s hard enough working in a shelter, let along through COVID.”

The entire month of November is set aside as Family Violence Prevention Month, which means the women's shelter will be hosting other events over the next few weeks. Typically, the shelter hosts a Walk a Mile in her Shoes event around the September long weekend, alongside the Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals. Since that event was cancelled in 2020, the event will be held virtually throughout November

The initiative encourages boys and men to "become part of the solution" in a fun way. Red high heel shoes are supplied to participants by the women's shelter, and participants are asked to take photo or video wearing the shoes. One example Cotton offers is a mechanic shop that had men wear the high heels while working on a vehicle.

The event is a fundraiser, but the primary goal is creating awareness about sexual assault and gender violence. While there is a bit of a competitive angle to the event, Cotton hopes participants are able to have fun with the idea, and make light of a very serious issue.

“Anything goes, as long as you’re showing support.”

The shelter will also be partnering with the Mannawanis Native Friendship Centre for a Walk to Remember, which is being held in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). A pipe ceremony will be held the day prior to the walk, and the walk will take place at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13, in St. Paul.

The Capella Centre's annual general meeting is also scheduled for Nov. 17, at 6 p.m.

“It’s a busy month.”


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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