The first step in breaking the cycle of violence is to break the silence. Domestic violence is absent from the political agenda, and
we are demanding leadership and action on violence against women and children.
November is Women Abuse Prevention Month. And December 6th we will mournfully mark the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, when an
enraged gunman methodically separated the female engineering students from the men and killed 14 innocent young women as he screamed “I hate feminists”.
We stand in solemn solidarity with Suzanne Laplante-Edwards, the mother of one of the women murdered at Ecole Polytechnique, and we share her frustration at the government’s recent steps to abolish the long gun registry.
Today, we insist that the government speak up and take real and tangible action to stop violence against women and children.
Critically important issues affecting women and children today include finding a real solution to gun legislation, protection in child custody situations involving an abusive partner, enforcement of restraining orders and a wider recognition and training among emergency services of the warning signs of abuse.
Each and every day in our shelter we see the impact of the government’s inaction – terrified and terrorized women and children who come here because they have nowhere to turn. It’s time for your leadership and action.
Dear Stephen Harper,
Are women and children in Canada safer than 20 years ago?
Wait, before you answer, know that in our experience, women and children do not feel safer than 20 years ago. And that shows you need to take leadership and action to protect women and children from violence.
As you know, November is Women Abuse Prevention Month and in a few weeks we will be haunted by the 20
th anniversary the Montreal Massacre. We are insisting that our government speak up and take meaningful action to stop violence.
Your "Tackling Crime" highlights include $64 million for an anti-drug strategy, $161 million for more RCMP officers to focus on drugs, corruption and border security, and corruption and funding (no amount specified) to improve jails. Where are the women and children?
To truly break the cycle of violence in homes and communities, we need you to break your silence.
[Your comments here]
Please lead the march for a safer future for women and children in Canada.
