December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. On this day we remember and mourn the loss of 14 women, murdered at Montréal's École Polytechnique, murdered because they were women. Please check your local areas for events.
More than 20 years after the tragic events in Montreal, violence against women continues to be a serious issue in Canada.
On Dec. 6, 1989, a deranged gunman entered L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. He segregated the female students from the male students and began firing at the female engineering students.
On that day, 14 young women lost their lives to violence. The event has become known as the Montreal Massacre and is symbolic of the fight to end violence against women. In 1991, Canada’s Parliament declared December 6th a National Day of Mourning and the National Day to End Violence Against Women.
The facts:
Violence against women continues to be a serious issue in Canada:
•It is estimated that 60% of Canadian women have suffered from physical or psychological violence at some time in their life.
•In 2007, nearly 40,200 incidents of spousal violence were reported to police. This represents about 12% of all police-reported violent crime in Canada.
•Between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008, approximately 101,000 women and children were admitted to 569 shelters in Canada.
We remember the 14 lives lost. And there are other numbers to remember:
•Every minute of every day, a woman or child is being sexually assaulted in Canada•Homicide is the Number 1 killer of women in the workplace
•Homicide of women by firearm has shrunk since gun control - from 144 in 1989 to 33 in 2006
•582 missing and murdered Aboriginal women (and counting)
•Women with disabilities are 1.5 to 10 times as likely to be abused as non-disabled women, depending on whether they live in the community or in institutions.
•Each week, 1 to 2 women are murdered by a current or former partner
•Up to 360,000 children in Canada are exposed to domestic violence every year
•Physical and sexual abuse costs Canada over $4 billion each year
We make a difference when we speak out against bullying, harassment and discrimination of any kind.
We make a difference when unions raise the issue of violence at the bargaining table, or advocate for effective workplace violence legislation.
We make a difference when we raise strong, compassionate children.
We make a difference when we fight for women's equality and economic security.
Here are 14 actions you can take to help end violence against women:
1.Learn to recognize the signs of violence.
2.Don’t remain silent. If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help.
3.Speak out against harassment, bullying and violence in your workplace.
4.Get training in violence prevention.
5.Be an ally to women and organizations who are working to end all forms of gender violence.
If happening in the workplace and Unionized, work with your union to:
1.Make sure your employer keeps information on shelters and supports for women experiencing violence readily available.
2.Negotiate a workplace violence prevention program which includes psychological harassment into your collective agreement.
3.Review your workplace violence program every December 6th.
4.If you live in a jurisdiction with Workplace Violence legislation, make sure your employer is in compliance. If you don't, advocate for legislation requiring employers to develop policies and programs to help prevent workplace violence and harassment, as well as take precautions to protect workers from domestic violence in the workplace.
Have the courage to look inward and work to:
1.Question your own attitudes and actions and work towards changing them.
2.Recognize and speak out against racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination.
3.Raise non-violent children. Help them find non-violent ways of resolving conflict. Lead by example.
4.Help the girls in your life develop confidence and strong self-esteem.
5.Encourage people who commit violence to seek counselling and support.
Thanks for viewing! As always, have a great day and remember to "Empower yourself and inspire change in others"
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