The Yellowhead Emergency Shelter for Women in Hinton is aiming to raise support and awareness about domestic abuse in November, Family Violence Prevention Month.

“When we’re talking about family violence we talk about the abuse of power within a relationship, of family trust or dependency that endangers the survival, security or well-being of a person,” said Jennifer Olson, family violence prevention worker.

The shelter takes part in initiatives such as the 16 Days of Activism, a series of events that will take place in Jasper at the end of November to combat gender-based violence. 

As well, the red rose campaign involves sharing the tales of those who have died as a result of family violence, said Olson, such as the following, which was submitted by the Yellowhead Emergency Shelter:

The story of Rosella Centis

While pumping gas into the family vehicle, Rosella Centis was shot in the back with a sawed-off shotgun while her then thirteen-year-old daughter sat in the vehicle waiting for her. The shooter was her estranged husband Joseph Centis. This heart breaking crime occurred Sept. 1, 2002 at a gas station in Nanaimo B.C.  At the time of her death, Rosella was 44 years old and the mother of four other children, then 3, 7, 9, and 11.

The murder occurred following a series of escalating threats by her estranged husband from whom she was seeking a divorce.  In an affidavit seeking a restraining order shortly before she died, Rosella said she feared for her safety after her husband took three firearms from the home. Nothing was done. He had also reportedly told his friends that a 25 cent bullet was cheaper than a divorce.

Centis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Prosecutor Scott Van Alstine urged Justice James Taylor to sentence him to life imprisonment with no parole eligibility for 15 years. Two years after the crime occurred Joseph Centis was sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole eligibility for 14 years.