Big Lakes Family and Community Services kicked off its Red Silhouette campaign Nov. 5 after placing a Red Silhouette in the Town of High Prairie building. Left-right are FCS executive director Louise Myre, and FCS High Prairie/Enilda community worker Nancy Marquardt.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News
They’re big, they’re red and each one carries an important message.

They’re red silhouettes and each one represents a silent witness to abuse – an Alberta woman whose life was taken by her husband or partner.

To help spread the message that there is help available, Big Lakes Family and Community Service has placed giant red silhouettes at selected locations in High Prairie and Big Lakes County during the Red Silhouette campaign.

“It’s the third year we’ve done the campaign,” says Louise Myre, Big Lakes FCS executive director.

The red silhouette is part of the Silent Witness Project. It’s a traveling exhibit of life-sized – or larger – wooden silhouettes. Each represents a woman who was murdered by a husband, common-law partner, boyfriend or intimate acquaintance. Because these women no longer have a voice, the silhouettes are called the silent witness.

In the end, the project hopes to put an end to domestic homicides and family violence.

The project began in Minnesota in 1990 after 26 women died from domestic violence. In October 2001, the project arrived in Canada in New Brunswick when the Charlotte County Violence Committee brought it to the region.

“Our dream is to engage other Canadians who are dedicated to ending violence against women,” says a news release issued by the women in New Brunswick. “Our dream is to know that the lessons we have learned from the women who lost their lives at the hands of their intimate partners will help create changes that may save the lives of other women.”

Big Lakes FCS offers these tips for someone is being abused:

* if someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or the emergency number in your community;

* put her safety first. Never talk to anyone about abuse in front of their suspected abuser. Unless she specifically asks for it, never give her materials about domestic abuse or leave information through voice messages or emails that might be discovered by her abuser. However, abuse thrives in secrecy, so speak up if you can do so safely;

* if she wants to talk, listen. If she doesn’t, simply tell her she does not deserve to be harmed and that you are concerned for her safety. Ask her if there is anything you can do to help, but don’t offer to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, unsafe;

* if she decides to stay in the relationship, try not to judge her. Remember, leaving an abuser can be extremely dangerous.

Women’s Shelters in our region include Sucker Creek at [780] 523-4357 or [780] 523-2929, and Slave Lake toll Free at [1-877] 214-4418 or [780] 849-4418. The Family Violence Information Line is 310-1818.