December sixth marks the Nationwide Day of Remembrance and Motion on Violence Towards Girls. The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre remembers the 14 girls who have been murdered, and the 14 others who have been injured, on the Montreal Bloodbath on the École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989, by a gunman who stated he was “combating feminism.” It was an act of violent misogyny.
We bear in mind and honour Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, and Annie Turcotte.
Thirty-three years later, we nonetheless face an epidemic of misogyny and gender-based violence. In 2021, 173 girls and ladies in Canada have been killed by violence. 1 in 3 girls will expertise sexual assault of their lifetime. Indigenous girls and ladies are focused for violence at greater charges and are 12 occasions extra more likely to be murdered or made lacking than different girls in Canada. (Canadian Girls’s Basis)
Our hearts are heavy with information of the murders of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Beatrice Harris, and Marcedes Myran, and Buffalo Lady, in addition to all lacking and murdered Indigenous girls, ladies, and Two-Spirit individuals who haven’t been acknowledged within the information or by the federal government.
Every of those lives, from the ladies at École Polytechnique, to the ladies in Winnipeg, to these throughout Canada who’re unnamed, have been valuable, we grieve their loss, and we provide our heartfelt assist to their households and communities.
Presently, we additionally acknowledge that violence in opposition to Indigenous girls, ladies, and Two-Spirit individuals is a part of the continuing genocide of Indigenous individuals in Canada. The murders in Winnipeg are one other instance, amongst too many, of the systemic violence and discrimination confronted by Indigenous girls, ladies, and Two-Spirit of us throughout Turtle Island.
We’re within the midst of the 16 Days of Activism Towards Gender-Primarily based Violence and as we speak is the Nationwide Day of Remembrance and Motion on Violence Towards Girls. There have been many requires motion and justice on the genocide of Indigenous individuals, however there has not been sufficient motion.
Starting in Winnipeg, and spreading throughout the nation, is a name for the federal authorities to declare a state of emergency on lacking and murdered Indigenous girls, ladies, and Two-Spirit individuals. We stand in assist of this name and the quick motion of governments throughout this nation to deal with the disaster of violence in opposition to Indigenous girls, ladies, and Two-Spirit folks that quantities to genocide. The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre stands with survivors and their communities.
That is how VSAC is taking motion as we speak and ongoingly, as a sexual assault centre working towards the tip of gender-based violence and for therapeutic and justice on Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ lands:
We’re contacting our native MP, MLA, and metropolis councilors to demand motion on MMIWG2S and to assist the decision for a nationwide state of emergency;
We proceed to actively construct significant relationships with, and heart the voices and management of, Indigenous group members, with the targets of bridging areas between indigenous communities and organizations for therapeutic and justice;
We are going to attain out to native Indigenous organizations to see how we are able to present assist in a great way throughout this time of grieving;
We are going to proceed to develop partnerships with Indigenous-led organizations to supply collaborative care and assist, and develop sacred areas for therapeutic.
In case you are in want of companies:
You probably have been just lately assaulted: Entry our 24-hour Sexual Assault Response Workforce service by calling the Vancouver Island Disaster Line (1-888-494-3888) and requesting to talk to a VSAC Sexual Assault Help Employee.
To entry our different companies: To entry counselling or sufferer companies, please name our Entry Line (250-383-3232) or e mail
For quick emotional assist name the Vancouver Island Disaster Line (1-888-494-3888 ) and/or if in case you have well being issues name HealthLink BC at 811 or your well being care supplier.
VSAC companies for Indigenous survivors:
The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre gives companies for Indigenous survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual assault. We’ve a devoted Indigenous counsellor and we prioritize entry to our companies for Indigenous survivors. In case you are in want of assist, please name r e mail our Entry Line to get involved for sexual assault assist companies: 250-383-3232,
Different assist companies obtainable for Indigenous group members:
Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, for confidential outreach companies comparable to counselling and cultural assist. Toll-free line at 1-888-403-3123.
Help line for these affected by lacking and murdered Indigenous girls and ladies, Toll-free assist 24 hours a day, 7 days every week at 1-844-413-6649.
Hope for Wellness Assist Line, provides quick assist to all Indigenous peoples throughout Canada. Toll-free Assist Line at 1-855-242-3310 or hook up with the web chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.
Sources:
Nationwide Inquiry into Lacking and Murdered Indigenous Girls and Ladies, closing report.
Nationwide Motion Plan to deal with Lacking and Murdered Indigenous Girls, Ladies, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Folks in Canada.
