Dear Editor,
Domestic violence happens across all social classes, all cultures, faiths and religions, to people with disabilities, and in same- sex relationships.
It is a system of abusive behaviour – physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, economic, spiritual, and stalking.
Violence almost always escalates. And sadly, we continue to hear through the media about deaths of women by previous or current partners, sometimes on a weekly basis.
However, we must remember that many are under-reported – so many more lives are affected!
Ishtar Women’s Resource Society has continued to grow, evolve, and inspire in our Langley community.
“Ishtar honours, embraces and celebrates the power, resilience, courage and knowledge of all women. We are working collaboratively for systemic change where equality means, inclusion, opportunity and accessibility for all. We work together locally for a world where all women and girls are safe emotionally, mentally, financially, physically, sexually, spiritually and culturally.” I could not stand prouder of Ishtar and Langley with these words.
Ishtar provides our community with two transition houses, community-based victim services, individual and group counselling, PEACE program for children who witness domestic violence, and Isabelle’s , a store that provides donations to women and children in our community.
My dreams for Ishtar include an organizational structure that will address the necessary need for housing – in particular, more beds for short-term transitional housing, second stage as well as long-term housing for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence.
It is actually criminal that we as a community cannot provide safe, affordable housing for women and children. My heart breaks every time I hear stories of women who return to their violent situations, or women who live in their vehicles or are homeless.
I must acknowledge our community partners, our volunteers, those who have donated financially and with their time to Ishtar. Thank you. You make a difference in so many lives.
Sylvia Ehrke, Ishtar Women’s Resource Society
