On December 6th, we will be reflecting and remembering the 14 young women who were killed
in 1989 known as the Montreal Massacre. Since that time, and each year, we continue to hold
this ceremony on December 6th to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on
Violence against women.
We acknowledge the staggering amount of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls
in Canada. While making up much less of the population of all women in Canada, the rate of
missing and murdered indigenous women are disproportionately higher compared to non-indigenous women. Indigenous women and girls are at six times more likely to experience
violence than any other population in Canada.
As many as 62 women and girls have been killed between Nov. 26 2022 and Nov. 25 2023,
according to the Annual Femicide List compiled by the Ontario Association of Interval and
Transition Houses (OAITH) and researchers at the University of Guelph.
The femicide list ranges in age from 6 to 90 years and includes women, children, trans-women,
2-spirit, and gender non-conforming individuals whose deaths were at the hands of men.
The Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie is able to house 27 women and their children who
are looking for help. The agency has been over-capacity for several months and continue to see
spikes in intakes and know the pandemic is affecting this.
It’s incredibly challenging for a woman to leave a situation for many reasons. Knowing that
mental health and addictions in their partners or abusers are increasing, coupled with added
stresses due to the pandemic such as job loss, home-schooling children, and overall isolation
can lead to controlling and violent behaviour behind closed doors.
Collectively we can demand our voices be heard to those that can make real change happen.
We can use our voice for those that are no longer able to speak up.
Please join us as we release our virtual vigil on Wednesday December 6th, 2023 at 6:00PM at
Barrie City Hall Rotunda and take action by submitting your own pledge to end violence against
women to kaity@barrieshelter.com.
http://www.facebook.com/WCSBarrie
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