CITY CENTRE - Out of a world population of more than seven billion people, a staggering number of women will be victims of domestic abuse.
That's the message that organizers from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) and KEYS Housing & Health Solutions are trying to get across by hosting a local version of One Billion Rising, a worldwide event opposing assault on the fairer sex. Hundreds are expected to rally at Holland Park on Valentine's Day for the annual event.The number "one billion" resembles how many women worldwide who will be physically, sexually, emotionally, psychologically or financially abused in their lifetimes."The One Billion Rising event is a perfect opportunity to engage the community, to make everyone aware of the incidence of violence in relationships, to stand up and rise to take a pledge to speak up and take action within their circle of family and friends," said KPU instructor Dr. Balbir Gurm in an email."If we can prevent violence within our networks, we will be on our way to changing the culture in society from accepting violence to one where violence is not tolerated."Born in 2012 out of the V-Day movement, One Billion Rising is a global activist initiative to end violence against women and girls. Kwantlen's Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships (NEVR) put together the local event.The free event will feature a First Nations prayer, speeches by Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and other local politicians, and stories from families of domestic violence victims. Attendees will also participate in a dance titled "Break the Chain" and take a pledge against domestic violence.In addition to KPU and KEYS, Surrey's event was organized in partnership with the City of Surrey, the Justice Institute of B.C., Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) and Delta Police.One Billion Rising takes place on Friday at 3 p.m.