YWCA URGES SOCIAL MEDIA USERS TO TURN ON THEIR SOUND TO HELP THOSE SUFFERING IN SILENCE
Organizations demonstrate that listening is the first step towards healing with clever PSA.
Calgary, May 28, 2018 – YWCA’s across western Canada have launched a campaign that urges viewers to stop and listen to survivors, as part of the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. The week, which runs from May 27 to June 2, is a national event bringing together victims and survivors of crime, survivor’s advocates and survivor-serving agencies to help raise awareness about survivors’ issues.
The emotional Facebook videos of survivors silently suffering show the power of listening. When users click to listen, they hear the survivors’ internal monologue, struggling to come to terms with what’s happened to them.
Why is it important to listen? In 2017, Calgary Police Service responded to more than 18,000 domestic conflict calls. That’s in excess of 49 calls per day. The YW acknowledges that while the statistic is shocking, the true scale of gender-based violence in Calgary isn’t always reflected in the number of incidents that get reported and that we all have a part to play in helping survivors.
“We know too many women are suffering in silence whether they’re experiencing poverty, domestic abuse, homelessness or isolation,” says Heather Morley, Vice President of Programs and Services at YW Calgary. “We want this campaign to remind women that there is support available and remind the public that we all have a role to play in creating safer and more equitable communities for all.”
On Facebook, 85% of people never listen to videos. Unfortunately, it’s a similar story when it comes to listening to survivors. The YWCAs of western Canada hope these videos will show that when you take the time to listen, you can stop someone from needlessly suffering in silence.
This PSA campaign is part of a broader collaborative approach initiated by YW Calgary, YWCA of Metro Vancouver, YWCA Banff, YWCA Edmonton and YWCA Lethbridge. This campaign includes broadcast throughout Alberta and southern British Columbia as well as online channels utilized by the above YWCAs.
About YW Calgary:
YW Calgary is the largest and longest serving women’s organization in Calgary. For more than 107 years, we have focused on enhancing women’s safety and well-being while advocating for equity. In 2017, the YW Calgary supported more than 5,500 Calgary women and families. Together with our donors, government and other social agencies, we provide shelter, supportive housing, counselling, child development, childcare, education and employment programs that help move women from crisis to stability.
Women-centred. Brighter-future focused.
For information please contact:
Carla Link
Manager, Marketing & Communications, YW Calgary
Cell: 587.228.8663 l Email: clink@ywcalgary.ca
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To learn more about how YW Calgary helps survivors of abuse, visit ywcalgary.ca
