Over a dozen women from the V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos group gathered at the Osoyoos Indian Band Health Centre Thursday night to plan the third annual Violence Against Women campaign for the South Okanagan.
According to their Facebook page, V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos is made up of a group of volunteers dedicated to fighting against gender-biased violence by increasing awareness, raising money, and revitalizing the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations through the production of Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” and other creative events and fundraisers.
The dynamic and diverse group of women are in the initial stages of planning and are determined to make it bigger and better from years past. In 2013, the group performed the Vagina Monologues at the Osoyoos Secondary School mini-theatre, raising over $7,000 for Desert Sun Counselling (Safe Home program). In 2013, they set their sights even higher by performing Memory, Monologue, Rant, and a Prayer at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver as well as hosting “Stop the Violence – a Celebration and Art Show” at the Osoyoos Indian Band Community Hall. Their efforts raised over $7,000 for two beneficiaries, Desert Sun Counselling (targeted for men’s counselling), and Okanagan Nation Emergency Transition House. This year, V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos will once again perform “The Vagina Monologues” at the Osoyoos Secondary mini-theatre, with another art show entitled “The Silent Voice” at an Osoyoos location yet to be determined.
Tiffany Beckedorf, lead-organizer, explained, “This year’s V-Day campaign will be bigger and better than ever. We will be hosting two main events, with a myriad of additional fundraising and awareness generating initiatives factored in. There will be the V-Day raffle, with some absolutely incredible prizes to be drawn at our celebration art show held on March 8.”
She continued by saying, “To cap off the campaign, we will be putting on a production of ‘The Vagina Monologues’ – and the exciting news is that this year we will be performing two shows (in mid-April).”
This year’s beneficiaries include The Okanagan Nation Transition House, Facets Holistic Self Discovery workshops facilitated by the Penticton and Area Access Society (which has offices in both Oliver and Osoyoos), and the Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre’s 24-Hour Crisis Line.
As to the importance of a local awareness campaign and its impact? “I think it is so important to have local campaigns because it is something that can happen to any woman or girl in any community, regardless of age, race, social status and so on. No community is immune. It is important for women and girls to know that there is help out there, and resources available to assist you in whatever situation you might be facing,” Beckedorf explained.
According to Tiffany, “we chose this year’s art show theme, ‘The Silent Voice’ to illustrate the juxtaposition that survivors of abuse face. In many instances, victims of abuse are both lauded for their courage in coming forward with their stories, while also facing what’s being referred to as victim blaming by others. Was she drunk? What was she wearing? Why didn’t she come forward before now? All are examples of victim blaming.”
She elaborated further by stating that according to research conducted by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, the belief that women are to blame is not uncommon.
Twenty per cent of survey respondents said women may invite sexual assault by being drunk, others blamed women for wearing short skirts or flirting. What Tiffany found most shocking is that young people aged 18 to 34 are more likely to have these attitudes.
Statistics Canada reports there are about 460,000 sexual assaults in Canada every year, which amounts to over 1,200 per day, at least 100 of which result in serious physical harm. And these numbers only represent the speculated 10 per cent of sexual assaults that are reported.
With staggering statistics that affect our mothers, aunts, sisters, and daughters, Tiffany stresses there is a role for everyone to get involved.
“Businesses are encouraged to become sponsors as they receive ad space in our program for the play, as well as being mentioned on our website. The general public, and by this I mean women, men and children of all ages, are welcome to help out as volunteers at any of our events. There is truly something for everyone,” she said.
So will a combined group of approximately 60 women make an impact on this epidemic?
Tiffany answered confidently: “I do believe our efforts are making a difference.”
Last year’s donation to ONTEH helped to fund a guest speaker at their Sisters in Spirit walk. Desert Sun was able to increase hours in the men’s counselling program and will be holding a group counselling program for men as well.
The topic of violence against women is uncomfortable, disturbing, and unfathomable for many, perhaps even yourself. In this writer’s opinion, all the more reason to get involved and make a difference for future generations – statistics show it may even impact someone you know.
What’s coming up?
Wed, Nov. 26 – “Ventures in Wine Country” premiere Night, Oliver Theatre 7 pm
Thursday, Nov, 27 – Athena’s open house shopping event, Athena’s Desert Day Spa, 4-6 pm
Friday, Nov. 28 – Oliver Christmas Light Up on Main Street, 3-8 pm
Sat, Nov, 29 – Breakfast with Santa, Oliver Community Centre, 9-11:30 am
Sat, Nov. 29 – Free matinee movie, “Box Trolls” at Oliver Theatre at 2 pm
Sat, Nov. 29 – Rose Revolution, Hester Creek Estate Winery, 7:30-10 pm
Take the time to get out and about, and enjoy what is around you.
Marji Basso
Special to the Chronicle
