Purple ribbons line the streets of Nova Scotia’s Membertou First Nation as residents take a stand against domestic violence and honour the memory of victims and their families.
Emily Paul is among those hoping to raise awareness about family violence. She says her sister Emma was murdered in September 1991 by her boyfriend, who strangled her.
“It is very hard. I know some of my family can’t even talk about it,” says Paul. “It will always be painful, no matter how much time has passed.”
She says her sister might still be alive today if people were more open about domestic violence. Her goal is to educate young people about how violence tears families and communities apart.
“The youth is our main concern because the cycle has to be broken and it is the youth that are going to break that cycle,” says Paul.
More than 40 people participated in the third annual Walk Against Domestic Violence in Membertou on Sunday. Organizers say the number of participants continues to grow each year.
“At one time I found that violence here was hush, nobody wanted to talk about it. We want people to start talking about it and let them know it’s not acceptable behaviour,” says Eileen Paul, president of the Membertou Native Women’s Association.
“I think people are beginning to see now it’s not acceptable and the more we stand together as a community to stop this, it’s stronger in numbers and that’s what people are seeing now.”
Paul says she will continue to encourage people to walk away from violent situations and cope with anger in other ways, while keeping the memory of her sister close to her heart.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
