Dozens gathered this afternoon at Snye Park to honour victims and survivors of crime in Wood Buffalo.
Celebrating the theme of “The power of collaboration”, the highlight of the ceremony was the dedication of a park bench.
The inscription on the bench reads “When we support each other, incredible things happen.”
Deputy Mayor Jane Stroud was on hand to thank victims and survivors for their courage.
She also thanked RCMP Victims Services and social profits for their support.
“By taking action and speaking up, you are helping to improve the criminal justice system, and ensuring that the necessary services and support are in place to assist other people across our communities.”
Stroud issued a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Don Scott.
The proclamation recognizes the week of May 26-June 1, 2019, as Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.
Ending the cycle of domestic violence
Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Tany Yao shared a few words pledging his support on behalf of the government of Alberta.
“We hope to support you from afar, but a lot of that work cannot be done without the groundwork that you do in this community, so for that, I want to thank you all for your hard work and dedication. I look forward to your continued success and support from your provincial government.”
Yao also mentioned work the United Conservative government is undertaking to end the cycle of domestic violence.
“We’re going to be passing a version of ‘Clair’s Law’, a law that identifies people’s past histories and makes sure that [their] partners are aware of that. There has been a lot of cases where that’s not been the case, and there has been a continued cycle in these situations.”
The poignant words of Jennifer, a survivor of crime who addressed the group, truly summed up the event.
In her moving speech, she commended fellow survivors of crime for their bravery, courageous, and power.
.@RMWoodBuffalo Local dignitaries, Victims Services, and social profits gathered this morning to dedicate a park bench at Snye Park in honour of victims and survivors of crime in Wood Buffalo. #ymm #rmwb pic.twitter.com/EraTH0SBg7
— PhilWoodRadio (@radio_wood) May 31, 2019
