'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
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.