By Jonathan Charlton
jonathan@peicanada.com

There will be three walks across Kings County as part of Family Violence Prevention Week and everyone is invited to participate, youth program facilitator Maxine MacLellan said.
“It’s a week to raise awareness about relationship abuse and domestic violence.”
Participants will meet at 11:45am with the walks starting at noon.
On February 13 the Montague route will go from Active Communities to Town Hall; on February 15 the Georgetown walk will go from the elementary school to Kings Playhouse; and on February 16 the Souris walk will start at the high school and end at Silver Threads.
Family Violence Prevention Services have been available in Kings County since 1996, with offices in Montague and Souris. Ms MacLellan, Jamie Griffin and Gwen Davies offer youth programing, counselling and shelter if someone needs to get out of the situation.
“It’s important, for the people in these situations to recognize there is help and they’re not alone,” Ms MacLellan said
“Sometimes it’s very hard for people to go get help with this type of situation in their lives because they’re fearful, they may feel guilty, they may feel shame.”
She hopes that with more awareness, it will get people open to discussing the issue.
“I do know, as many people that call in and come to get help, there would probably be two or three times that many people that don’t.”
The good people need to make more noise, she said. Historically, there has been stigma and fear around bringing domestic violence into the open. And domestic violence can breed more violence in the next generation.
“Some previous generations, that’s the way it was. You don’t talk about that stuff, that’s family stuff, you don’t air your dirty laundry. We’re trying to change that.
“There still needs to be a lot of work done but I would say - and this is only my perception from working with youth - I think youth are starting to get it. However bullying still is prevalent. My experience in the youth I have worked with, I see them wanting to make change. Now we just have to grab more youth and get them on the same train.”
Georgetown councillor Faye McQuillan hopes the week will raise awareness.
“Just to make people aware that family violence actually happens. A lot of people try to hide it, and I don’t think the average person knows exactly how serious a problem it is.”
Joeanne Roche with Town of Souris agreed.
“I think a lot is still in the dark. I think people are still afraid of coming forward. Maybe a bit of embarrassment, or a bit of, ‘I should have known better’ kind of gut feeling.”
Montague Mayor Richard Collins said Family Violence Prevention Services are a “tremendous” organization and he was a strong advocate of family violence prevention.
“That’s one of my top priorities as far as organizations are concerned. Family violence prevention is a very worthwhile educational program for the community and one I value very much as a community leader,” Mayor Collins said.
Lieutenant Governor H. Frank Lewis, Innovation and Advanced Learning Minster Al Roach, and Minister of Environment, Labour and Justice and Attorney General Janice Sherry will also attend the Montague reception.
Georgetown councillor Faye McQuillan, left, and youth program facilitator Maxine MacLellan hold up the banner that will be carried by Georgetown youth during the walk.
David MacDonald photo