Family Violence Prevention Week

Premier Russell MacLellan will launch Family Violence Prevention Week on Monday at noon with a candle-lighting ceremony at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Grand Parade, Halifax.

Family Violence Prevention Week, this year from Feb. 8 to 14, is designed to increase awareness of the trauma associated with family violence in the home. The annual candle-lighting ceremony is held to honour the victims and survivors of family violence in Nova Scotia.

Premier MacLellan will proclaim the start of the fourth annual Family Violence Prevention Week. Francene Cosman, Minister of Community Services, and Reg Rankin, Deputy Mayor of Halifax

Regional Municipality, will also attend the ceremony, along with representatives of the many groups affected by family violence. The Willow Tree Quartet and Touch of Hope Gospel Quartet will provide music. The event is open to the public.

This year's theme, "You Never Hurt The One You Love," reminds us that family violence is a social problem that can affect everyone.

Each day of the week will focus on a selected group and how they are affected by the problem of family violence. They include: Monday, woman abuse; Tuesday, child abuse; Wednesday, elder abuse; Thursday, abuse of persons with disabilities; Friday, abuse in ethno-cultural communities.

Community organizations across Nova Scotia are sponsoring special events throughout the week for local citizens.