The Elephant in the Room

Family violence is not always visible, and it's up to all of us to recognize the signs and support those affected. Join Charlotte the elephant on a journey around Strathcona County throughout November to raise awareness for Family Violence Prevention Month.

• November 2 to 4: Strathcona County Community Centre

• November 4 to 12: Strathcona County Library

• November 12 to 18: Ardrossan Recreation Centre

• November 18 to 25: Millennium Place

• November 25 to 30: Bethel Transit Terminal

Calling all crocheters!

Help raise awareness for Family Violence Prevention Month this November by crocheting a small purple elephant (two to three inches).

• Elephant crochet pattern (343.1 KB)

The crocheted elephants symbolize the issues that are often left unspoken. They will become part of the Elephant in the Room installation throughout November where visitors to the installation take one to display and help raise awareness about family violence.

Drop-off locations for crocheted elephants at the Strathcona County Community Centre, 401 Festival Place:

• Strathcona County Library (main floor)

• Family and Community Services (second floor)

We are here to help

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, or if you are concerned about your behaviour, please call 780-464-4044 or come into Family and Community Services, no appointment needed.  

Recognizing family violence

Family violence is not always visible, and recognizing the signs is key to keeping ourselves, our friends and our family safe. Patterns of abuse may include: 

• Physical conflict - Grabbing, shaking, hitting, threatening gestures, blocking doorways, etc. 
• Emotional abuse - Threatening self-harm, invalidating feelings, etc.
• Psychological manipulation - Behaving different in public (“putting on a good show”), gaslighting, etc. 
• Degrading language or insults - Shouting, screaming, insulting, putting down, etc.
• Financial control - Withholding financial information, belittling a partner's financial contributions, etc.
• Sexual abuse - Ignoring/not asking for consent, threatening to have an affair, etc.
• Stalking - Following, showing up uninvited, sending unwanted text messages, etc. 
• Involving children through manipulation - Threatening to harm children, threatening to take or withhold children, etc.
• Pets and property - Threatening to take or harm pets, throwing things, punching walls or breaking furniture, etc.
• Isolation from friends and family - Being prevented from working or seeing friends and family, fighting before seeing friends and family, etc.

Signs of a healthy relationship

A strong, healthy relationship is vital to navigating challenges, life stressors and conflict. They prevent family violence because they are built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect and safety. Here are five signs of a healthy relationship:

• You are yourself when you are with this person.
• You feel honest with yourself and the other person.
• When you are with and talk to this person, you feel safe, supported and excited.
• You respect and trust one another.
• You feel the other person gives as much as you give to them.