Billboard campaign aims to curb violence against women

SHEDIAC, NB – Men and boys are taking a stand against violence toward women

A new campaign to combat violence against women was unveiled today in New Brunswick. Three billboards have been installed in the in the communities of Shediac, Beaubassin-Estand and Cap-Pele. The billboards are encouraging men to take action to eliminate violence against women.

The three billboards feature three different groups of men, young and old. To show their solidarity in the fight against violence, all the men and boys are dressed in white. The slogan for the campaign, “Take action and eliminate violence. Join the movement.” is written on each billboard in both French and English.

“We want more men and boys to become allies in our efforts to eliminate violence,” said Kristal LeBlanc , director of the Beausejour Family Crisis Resource Centre. “Engaging men and boys is primordial, because they can have a positive influence on how their peers behave.”

About 200 men and boys from the area participated in the project, including some well known local celebrities  like baseball star Rheal  Cormier, Hugo Vautour and Jean-Claude Bertin.

The campaign came together through a partnership with the three communities and the Beausejour Family Crisis Resource Centre. The Centre says they wanted to get the message out there that men and boys are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Jean-Claude Bertin is a participant in the billboard campaign, as well as the Manager of the Shediac Co-operative. He says that violence against women is a major issue that can’t be ignored.

“It’s a concern to all of us, even men who aren’t violent. We can’t remain silent and do nothing,” said Bertin.

Organizers hope that the billboards will start a movement within the communities, where boys and men will want to make positive and lasting change.

The awareness campaign and billboards are a part of the project PREVENT, REDUCE, ELIMINATE VIOLENCE which is funded by Status of Women Canada.