Eliminating violence against women through awareness, education

Tue, Nov 10, 2015

Surrey, B.C. – Healthy communities begin with healthy relationships. 

On Nov. 19, a community event will bring together service agencies, researchers, youth and members of the public to discuss how to build those healthy relationships, and how to end those that aren’t.

"We really want to engage the local community and encourage community leaders to join hands with us to change society's attitude towards violence in relationships. We want the community to stand up and say: this is not okay. This is the first of many events that will be held in the upcoming year to start a community movement," said Dr. Balbir Gurm, facilitator of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's (KPU) Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships (NEVR).

The Healthy Relationships fundraising dinner will be hosted in Surrey by NEVR – a community action group that works toward eliminating violence in relationships throughout the Lower Mainland.

Emceed by Pamela Martin, the evening will offer guests more than just dinner, including a play on the abuse cycle process; resource tables that feature local services, and; local initiatives around recognizing abuse. The latter includes a training toolkit for stylists and bartenders on how to identify domestic violence, along with material on the services available. Training is offered for free by KPU.

The winners of the Healthy Relationship Contest will also be showcased. Open to students grades 5-12, the art and essay contest encouraged students to define, through either medium, the characteristics of healthy and safe relationships.

For more information about NEVR and the event on Nov. 19, visit kpu.ca/NEVR. To purchase a ticket to the event (which starts at 6 p.m. at the Grand Taj Banquet Hall – 8388 128 St. Surrey) email balbir.gurm@kpu.ca

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has served the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 learners. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs in business, liberal arts, design, health, science and horticulture, trades and technology, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 120 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, citations and apprenticeships.Learn more at kpu.ca.

Media contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
t: 604.599.2883
c: 604.364.1288
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca

For more KPU news:
@KPUmedia
kpu.ca/newsroom
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