 Parents of slain girl hope DVD will prevent other tragediesBy Nancy Beal The long-awaited DVD If Only...Nat's Story was released last month to limited audiences. The DVD tells the story of Natalie Novak, the 20year-old Muskoka woman who was murdered in 2006 by an abusive exboyfriend. The DVD's title aptly encapsulates the tragedy that befell Natalie while she was a university student, where friends, family and legal authorities didn't put all the pieces of the puzzle together soon enough to prevent her death. "The isolated bystanders are living with signs," explains Natalie's mother Dawn Novak, "and perhaps not recognizing the signs except that it is something they are uncomfortable with." Natalie's parents, Ed and Dawn Novak, have been working for the past two years with local agencies and provincial authorities to educate others about what happened to Natalie and to assist with strategies to prevent another such tragedy. The DVD, filmed by Amanda Anderson, formerly of CTV's Muskoka bureau, runs approximately 35 minutes. It features interviews with Natalie's family and her friends in Muskoka and Toronto, as well as other key people, such as the assistant crown attorney. The DVD tells Natalie's story while educating the viewer on how to recognize the signsCONTEST1 28 April 2011 www.whatsupmuskoka.comEd and Dawn Novak teamed up with Amanda Anderson, formerly of CTV's Muskoka bureau, to produce If Only... Nat's Story.of an abusive relationship, how to help and how to better understand these sorts of situations. Initial feedback from the DVD, originally intended to be an educational tool for high school and university students, Link each Real Estate Professional with their name and place of business for a chance to WIN a DINNER FOR TWO at: surprised the Novaks because it instantly elicited interest as a training tool for social services and legal agencies. If Only...Nat's Story was shown twice in March to approximately 350 professionals and agency workers at two domestic3 4 5 6 7 8Photograph: courtesy of Jenny Cressman, Muskoka Women's Advocacy Group violence conferences in Muskoka and North Bay. A second unexpected offshoot to the North Bay conference is interest expressed by French-speaking agencies to have the DVD translated for distribution to French communities. "The video really is at a promotion stage," explains Novak. "We're getting feedback, tweaking final things - it is audience ready but not available for sale at this point." The Novaks anticipate it will be another three to six months in this review stage. While it will not be widely available until the final changes are made, it will be shown at Muskoka schools this spring and fall as part of a pilot project. "We have adult feedback," says Novak, "now we need student feedback." When the video goes into the schools, the local community agencies will accompany the Novaks on the day of the showing. Along with the video will be a resource package with another DVD that will serve as a teaching guide with lessons, discussion points and teaching ideas - all tied into existing high school curriculum. Novak is a retired teacher and she is working with other colleagues on this project. Additionally, a brochure with information that reinforces the DVD content will be distributed to viewers.Find yourCOMMUNITY MORTGAGE SERVICES CORP. License # 10906REAL ESTATENot sure who we are? Visit www.whatsupmuskoka.com for helpIndependently owned and operated NORTH COUNTRY REALTY INC. CONTEST RULES: Match the photo number with the correct name and place of business. Go online to: www.whatsupmuskoka.com and fill out an entry form; or fill out the entry form attached and mail to: What's Up Muskoka, P.O. Box 180, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T6; or drop off your entry form to: 12 - 440 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge. Original entry forms only. Photocopies will not be accepted. Winners selected in a draw, on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., based on the accuracy of the completed lists. Decision of judges is final. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
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