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Violence against women affects all That was the message that came out of last week‘s Communities Working Together to End Violence Against Women provincial conference at Bingemans Conference Centre. If violence against women is ever going to stop, then everyone has to talk about it. Highâ€"profile women from around the continent, including Canadian Gov. Gen. Michaélle Jean, spoke about the need and the methods that can be used to end vialence against women. During a lunchâ€"hour speech last Tuesday, Jean talked about the imporâ€" tant role that awareness plays in stopâ€" ping violence. Only when every level of support is on the same page can a woman feel safe to admit her situation, Jean said. "When a woman breaks free from violence, she must find the doors open to her. She must be taken seriously and protected by the judicial and police authorities, by those who administer care," Jean said. She also pointed out how pervasive violence against women is in society by recounting her experiences at a women‘s shelter in downtown Vancouâ€" ver‘s east side. "One after another they told me their story. It was a story I have heard too often over the years," the Governor General said. "It is a story that, sadly, echoes from city to city, community to community," she said. But as awareness grows, so does hope. â€" "Take a look around. Violence against women is not just the concern of a few. It is mobilizing people to act, regardless of sex, age or area of involveâ€" ment," Jean said, gesturing to the crowd of close to 1,000 delegates at the conference. The diverse crowd included counâ€" sellors, police, social workers and volâ€" unteers. And more than just the variety of professions represented, the numâ€" ber of male delegates was a sign that things are changing for the better, said Cathy Brothers, executive director of the Catholic Family Counselling Cenâ€" "The conference had the largest contingent of male representatives it ever has. We sent a strong message that men and women can both be involved in solving this problem," Brothers said. The CFCC was this year‘s host of the MEMORY FOAM BED TOPPERS By Grec MacDonaip Chronicle Staff _ We Custom Cut Foam ... For Everything! ... JUST ASK! ) TOPPERS x'k:ls @ , % "i“ , \ ts 2.\ & & l} P ooo w mming FOAM CUsHIONS AND TEMony Forh Gov. Gen. Michadlle Jean spoke at the provincial conference Communities Working Together to End Violence Against Women at Bingemans Conference Centre last week. â€" annual event. The local counselling centre, located on Queen Street in Kitchener, deals with many communiâ€" ty issues, but violence against women is one of the most important, Brothers "It was a real privilege to host this event in Waterloo Region," Brothers said. "It really showed that this region is a model for the entire province." The conference featured more than 200 workshops for support workers, giving guidance on how to deal with the issues surrounding violence against women. But the advice didn‘t go just one way, Brothers said. The CFCC had the opportunity to give presentations on how they serve the entire region, and received both kudos and critiques. "I think it made our organization stronger. We really enjoyed the opporâ€" tunity to get feedback," Brothers said. LIFESTYLE ® Foam Store One of the most important lessons that Brothers took from the conference was that violence against women tranâ€" scends culture. "One of the mistakes we make is that when we hear abuse is happening to a woman in a certain cultural group that‘s not our own, we think that‘s just a part of their culture," Brothers said. "(One of the speakers) talked a lot about basic human rights and if we‘re going to stop violence against women we‘re going to have to make it really clear that abuse is abuse," she added. That means stepping into situations that are culturally murky or may not seem politically correct. "We have to have the courage to speak up. It‘s a really powerful mesâ€" sage," Brothers said. _ _ â€" _As the Governor General put it: "Violence against women and girls is a problem that affects us all. Recognizing for all your camping and RV needs The RIDEAU HALL PHOTO PADDING for all marine 'I‘he evidence that the universe emerged 14 billion years ago from an event called the "big bang" is overwhelming. Yet, the cause of this event remains deeply mysterious. In the What Banged? lecture, at Waterloo colleâ€" giate institute, on March 5, at 7 p.m., the standard inflationary picture will be contrasted with a new view of the initial singularity suggested by string and Mâ€"theory. _ Words Worth Books will be on hand in the lobby with books on related scientific topics. e For tickets, visit the ticket office at 35 King St. N., in Waterloo, from 2 p.m.â€"5 p.m. or phone 519â€"883â€" The Waterloo World Day of Prayer service takes place this year at Erb Street Mennonite Church on March 7 at 2 p.m. _ e s Everyone is invited to enjoy this beautiful worâ€" ship service written by the women of Guyana. It is entitled God‘s Wisdom Provides New Understandâ€" ing. Refreshments will follow the service. The church is at 131 Erb St. W. K-CW Accessâ€"Ability, in coâ€"operation with the hartered Accountants of Ontario, is offering free incomeâ€"tax preparations for residents of Kitchâ€" enerâ€"Waterloo who have low incomes. _ The clinic is being held on Monday and Tuesday nights in March at 105 University Ave. E., Suite 2, Waterloo. Returns are completed by volunteers from the Waterlooâ€"Wellington Chartered Accountants Associâ€" ation. Join renowned bug chef Jeff Stewart as he returns for BugFeast Candyland to prepare a sweet new menu with anty floss and cricket clusters. _ Combine your curiosity for bugs and your sweet tooth at the seventh annual BugFeast at Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory this March Break. While visiting Wings of Paradise explore the tropâ€" ical gardens where you‘ll discover up to 40 different species of butterflies, learn about metamorphosis and investigate the insect galleries. Wings of Paradise expects 10,000 visitors during the nineâ€"day event. BugFeast starts the Friday before and runs through the March Break. o _ Go to www.wingso‘f'paradise‘com for more inforâ€" mation. BugFeast and butterflies Waterloo World Day of Prayer on March 7 ERGONOMIC SEAT PADS & BOLSTERS FACTORY OUTLET â€" 360 Trillium Dr. Kitchener 519.748.1491 To book an appointment, call 519â€"885â€"6770. Free incomeâ€"tax help NEW HOURS: Mon. â€" Thurs. 8â€"6, Fri. 8â€"4 WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, March 5, 2008 * 13 What Banged?