Students across the city had an eye-opening lesson in domestic violence.
More than 700 senior elementary students participated in Thunder Bay's White Ribbon campaign through a workshop about gender-based violence prevention Monday, also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Workshops were held at schools across the city. Before the workshop at Sir Winston Churchill, Teagan Skabar said she wasn't aware domestic violence happened.
"I didn't know this was going on so I learned all about it," said the Grade 7 student.
"We learned about how women are getting abused by their boyfriends, husbands and just other people around the world.”
The students also learned about toxic relationships and the warning signs like verbal abuse.
Grade 8 student Hannah Browning said the issue is important to learn about
"It was a good thing for everyone to learn so they know the warning signs so if they are in a toxic relationship, they can get out of it," she said.
Domestic violence rates in Thunder Bay are high, said Rosemary Scofich, public health nurse with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
In 2012, charges were laid against 672 people in 2,300 cases of domestic violence.
Scofich said they're talking to students in Grades 7 and 8 to change attitudes and prevent abuse.
"They're just starting to embark on finding out what they like, the qualities; they're starting to seek out those relationships," she said. "If we can inform them now, we can prevent women abuse environments from happening."
The White Ribbon campaign was started in 1991 and has been in Thunder Bay for 15 years. It's usually led by the Catholic Family Development Centre and while they are still spearheading this year's campaign, Scofich said she wanted to get into the schools.
She said the workshop, which featured guest speaker Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey player Luke Maw, was also about showing the students what a healthy relationship looks like.
For more information see www.whiteribbon.ca.
