Ruth Goose remembers that bruises, black eyes and swollen lips were a much more common sight in public years ago.

Though itSA国际影视传媒檚 rarer now to see people display obvious signs of abuse, she thinks family violence is still a problem.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think a lot of the violence has gone behind closed doors,SA国际影视传媒� said Goose, one of the organizers of the events during Family Violence Awareness Week next week and also a member of the Mental Health Awareness Working Group, which has been meeting regularly to address these issues in the community.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 still happening and we need to talk about it. If we donSA国际影视传媒檛 talk about it, itSA国际影视传媒檒l never go away. People suffer in silence, when really itSA国际影视传媒檚 everybodySA国际影视传媒檚 business.SA国际影视传媒�

Family violence affects everyone, she said, especially in such a small and tight-knit community.

SA国际影视传媒淚t might be your neighbour, it might be the girl down the street, or it might be the man on the next block whoSA国际影视传媒檚 being abused,SA国际影视传媒� said Goose. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not necessarily women. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 children as well who suffer from family violence SA国际影视传媒� they watch it. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not only physical violence. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 verbal abuse, itSA国际影视传媒檚 mental abuse.SA国际影视传媒�

And if itSA国际影视传媒檚 not brought up, spoken about and dealt with, that cycle is just going to continue, she said.

Peggy Day, another organizer of the awareness week, said the events are about promoting a healthy lifestyle and healthy relationships.

Some activities will include board games, swim nights, traditional activities and a crib tournament. Goose will also be working with students at the secondary school to promote non-violence.

SA国际影视传媒淏ecause weSA国际影视传媒檙e promoting a healthy lifestyle with healthy relationships, getting together families, doing healthy activities, it will make them want to do the activities more and more on their own instead of just leaving their kid at home or letting them run around and do their own things,SA国际影视传媒� said Day.

The impacts of family violence can be seen everywhere, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou can see the impacts on your personal family and your friendSA国际影视传媒檚 family, how it affects everybody,SA国际影视传媒� said Day. SA国际影视传媒淓verybody has to tip-toe around the abuser and nobody says anything. Everybody is quiet. This is where weSA国际影视传媒檇 really like to speak about it and get it out in the open and get it out in everybodySA国际影视传媒檚 face and say itSA国际影视传媒檚 not right, it has to be stopped.SA国际影视传媒�

Both encourage everyone to come out to next weekSA国际影视传媒檚 events.

A family swim is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, and a crib and games night at Ingamo Hall will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20.

Other event times were tentative as of press but should be posted online once finalized.

People are also encouraged to wear purple on Friday, Oct. 20.