Red Cross honours spirit of International Day of Non-Violence year-round

Topics: Worldwide, Violence, Bullying and Abuse Prevention
September 28, 2012

Red Cross honors spirit of International Day of Non-Violence year-round

On October 2, the global community will join in reverence of the International Day of Non-Violence. This significant day, which was established by the United Nations in 2007 to honour the birthday of Indian leader and pacifist pioneer Mahatma Gandhi, seeks to join disparate communities together under one common message of non-violence in order to promote a culture of peace and understanding.

When it comes to violence and abuse prevention within the country, the Canadian Red Cross is committed year-round to breaking the cycle of pain and anguish that those who suffer from abuse are forced to endure. From physical violence to bullying and sexual exploitation, the effects of abuse can impact the emotional and mental health of victims for years to come.

However, with prevention education training through Respect Education programs, the Red Cross strives to put an end to forms of behaviour that can inflict serious harm on vulnerable persons, identifying helping resources, educate youth and adults on how to prevent violence and provide those who are susceptible to abuse with knowledge on how to reach out for help when in need.

Respect Education programs are versatile and were designed to reach out to Canadians of all different age groups. With c.a.r.e. and It's Not Your Fault, Respect Education seeks to empower children and youth against potential exploitation of all types of violence of a sexual nature. By helping young people develop personal safety rules and understand their rights, the programs can help reduce the number of dangerous incidents that children are exposed to.

Programs such as Prevention in Motion, Walking the Prevention Circle and Ten Steps to Creating Safe Environments can help adults build respect and positive skills that may allow them to de-escalate volatile situations before they implode.

Violence can manifest in various forms, yet each is equally harmful to the long-term development and well-being of others. Young people who may be at risk for entering into an abusive or unhealthy relationship can gain many benefits from Respect Education's Healthy Youth Relationships program, while those who may be victims of or witnesses to instances of bullying may experience a transformation after taking part in Beyond the Hurt or Youth Facilitator Training, both of which are offered through Respect Education.

One of the most challenging periods for many communities is in the wake of a major incident or natural disaster. Both during and after such an occurrence, some areas may observe an increase in violence.

However, the Canadian Red Cross, in partnership with the International Federation of the Red Cross, has developed the Strategy on Violence Prevention, Mitigation and Response, which seeks to find viable strategies to prevent violence in all its forms, from self-directed acts of aggression to interpersonal and community-based violence.

To learn more about the groundbreaking efforts of the Red Cross to combat violence within Canada, or to gain access to one of their transformative programs, please visit the violence and abuse prevention section of our website

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