Respect Day celebration draws crowd to City Hall Park

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The more individuals respect one another, the less harm they will do to each other. This could lead to the elimination of violence.

The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) continued its’ mission to eliminate sexual violence by hosting a free community event in honour of respect at City Hall Park.

On May 25th CASASC celebrated Respect Day in Red Deer. This was a community celebration where the focus was placed on creating a culture of respect in our day-to-day lives in Central Alberta. It featured Latin flavoured music by Grupo Konga, dancing by the Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe, information booths and a by-donation barbeque.

Local dignitaries City of Red Deer Deputy Mayor Ken Johnston, MLA Barb Miller, MLA Kim Schreiner and MP Earl Dreeshen brought greetings to the crowd gathered.

Respect Day was an awareness event connected to CASASC’s current proactive campaign titled #iRespect. The goal of #iRespect is to encourage everyone to conduct their lives and treat one another with respect. In this, sexual violence, and violence in general, will be eliminated. This campaign is focused on awareness and creating positive changes, dispelling the negative connotations of “rape culture.”

“The idea is that the promotion and encouragement of respect is a preventative measure against sexual violence,” said CASASC Executive Director Patricia Arango. “The more respect people have for one another the less harm they will cause.”