By Mallory Clarkson/London Community News

More than a dozen London-based businesses and organizations were recognized Friday (Feb. 17) for playing a role in ending domestic violence. During a Workplace Champion Recognition Ceremony in the Faculty of Education’s community room, representatives from the not-for-profit, public and private sectors were present to receive these awards.

Western Ontario’s Faculty of Education Dean Vicki Schwean said the damage to victims of domestic and workplace violence is staggering.

“It’s (domestic abuse) a complex issue that crosses cultural, economic and political boundaries,” she said. “Due to the galvanizing action of each and every one of you in the audience today, domestic and workplace violence are becoming a community issue.”

She added the room full of facilitators and recipients make it possible to imagine a future where all women, children and workers will experience safe, nurturing worlds.

To qualify for the award, supervisors and employees of each business or organization had to be trained on recognizing and quickly respond to the warning signs of violence, and how to refer people in need of supportive resources.

The campaign acts as a public education crusade to raise awareness of the signs of abuse so those close to an at-risk women or abusive man can help.

Barb MacQuarrie, community director of the University of Western Ontario’s Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, said the workplace training resources were developed through the Neighbours, Friends and Families campaign, which has local roots.

“(It) did start in London as an initiative of the London Co-ordinating Committee to End Women Abuse,” she said, adding the provincial government has been a huge help in spreading the message and campaign. “Not only is it an innovative and effective campaign, but it’s the first time in Ontario where we have seen a government make that kind of sustained investment in prevention work.”

The campaign started in 2005 to support employers in meeting obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Since June 2010, all employers in Ontario are responsible for protecting workers from domestic violence at work, and must create polities and programs to help its employees who are victims of abuse.

London West MPP Chris Bentley thanked the co-ordinating committee for taking a leadership role.

“It was felt by you, the people in this room, that it was right to call on government, institutions, on every organization to do more,” he said.

Bentley stressed more can still be done by everyone to create life-changing results.

“We can all take a leadership role and it doesn’t involve necessarily money, it involves … making a call, passing on a message,” he said. “By being here today, by recognizing your workplaces, by making sure you recruit and encourage others to take a leadership role, you are preventing tragedies in the future.”