'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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.