'We've got work to do': Local organization gathers to promote awareness for women's safety
Advocates with Calgary-based Pin-Up-Girl, an organization working to end violence against women, took to Tomkins Park on Sunday to spread awareness about female safety.
The group spent the day handing out red pins, with a symbol on them, that the group created for female-identifying people to wear to show that the person wearing the pin can be trusted in a moment of need.
“We need somebody that we can identify as safe, that we could go to if you're in trouble, or (if you) need help,” said Stephanie Colangeli, the founder of Pin-Up-Girl.
Pin-Up-Girl was created in 2017 after a personal experience.
“I was walking home one night, walking to my car, and I heard a bunch of loud, drunk voices pretty close by and they were all men. I looked around and worried about my safety,” said Colangeli. “I just looked to see if there were other women or anybody else in the area that if I needed help I could go to.”
Colangeli was inspired by the Block Parent Program, where people place signs on their homes to indicate their residence is safe for community members, especially children.
“It just hit me, (that) this is exactly what women right now need,” said Colangeli.
Sunday’s rally comes just weeks after a 30-year-old Calgary woman was stabbed to death by in a random attack in the Beltline on March 18.
“When we heard about the murder of Vanessa Ladouceur, it was heartbreaking and we were devastated,” said Colangeli. “It was also a wake up call to us like, ‘hey, our job here isn't done, we've got work to do.’”
A local self-defence company was also in attendance Sunday, sharing the importance of having what they call a personal safety plan.
“The importance of having a personal safety plan is so that you are prepared, you've thought about it, you're alert to what the risks might be, and you're able to react quickly if necessary,” said Lorna Selig, the president of Safe4Life.
Adding, that having a plan can help eliminate the element of surprise, and react accordingly. Selig says “cautious confidence” is key.
“The worst thing that we want to have happen is for us to be in fear all the time,” she said. “Getting the skills and training to solidify your approach and your response to something that you know might be threatening or risky, and being able to deliver it.”
Further details about the organization can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.