North Vancouver Night Walk shines a light on intimate partner violence

Lanterns and flashing lights filled the streets of North Vancouver Thursday night as dozens of people walked to raise awareness and funds for those affected by intimate partner violence.

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation organized the first Night Light Walk in North Van, raising thousands of dollars that will be donated to the North Shore Crisis Services Society.

“People don’t realize that domestic violence abuse does happen right here in our community,” said Caroline Baile, Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Night Light Walk organizer and vice president, network success and support for the real estate company. “Domestic violence happens everywhere around us, and it’s so important that we get together as a community to really help the cause.”

Before the three kilometre walk, folks gathered at Highlands Elementary School on Colwood Drive for an opening ceremony, where executive director of the North Shore Crisis Services Society Laura Reynolds read three testimonials of women who stayed at the society's shelter.

“I came here with nothing, and you made me feel like a person again – for the clothes, food, taxi fare to the ER – for your compassion, your humanity and care for all the long hours helping me fill out housing applications,” Reynolds read.

“For your smiles, concerns and attention to the smallest details of our lives to keep us safe, for the safety and peace I now feel.”

Every year, an estimated 360,000 children witness family violence in Canada. Statistics Canada reported that last year 123,319 people aged 12 and older faced intimate partner violence and 139,020 victims of family violence came to police attention.

The issue has reached crisis levels, organizers say, as 95 Canadian municipalities have declared intimate partner violence epidemics in their communities.

“I think that is huge, because they are bringing this crisis to light, which it wasn’t talked about before,” Baile said.

Intimate partner violence is an issue that makes many uncomfortable to talk about, District of North Vancouver Coun. Catherine Pope said, which is why raising awareness is vital.

“It still shocks me that 44 per cent of women face some kind of intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and here on the North Shore, women are also facing this problem.” Pope said. “The North Shore Crisis Services Society is literally saving lives and helping women to escape violence and to be safe.”

The national shelter foundation has run for 26 years and raised more than $46 million, supporting more than 250 shelters across Canada.

Donations are open until Oct. 31.

Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative. [email protected]