This page was exported from Bancroft this Week [ https://www.bancroftthisweek.com ] Export date:Tue Dec 2 21:04:12 2025 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Taking action to prevent violence against women --------------------------------------------------- By Bill Kilpatrick On Dec. 6, 1989 around 6 p.m. a gunman named Marc Lépine entered Montreal's École Polytechnique school, and by the time he took his own life he also murdered 14 women whom he saw as feminists responsible for all of his problems. Lépine left a suicide note naming 19 women that he had intended on murdering. Twenty five years later, two of the women who were named on the list spoke out about their experiences since the shooting. In a 2014 article for the Toronto Star, Monique Simard and Francine Pelletier, spoke about the impact that the femicide had on them and the fact that they were the intended targets. They spoke about survivor guilt, further death threats, and the rage that they felt about how quickly the murders seemed to be forgotten. Pelletier, who was a journalist at the time, told the author of the article, former Toronto Star Staff writer Linda Diebel, that “For me, Polytechnique sounded the death knell of the glory days of feminism. Those days were gone when he started shooting. Feminism wouldn't be easy anymore.” However, some 25 years later, the women appeared to have changed their minds. The article concluded stating: “Both Monique Simard and Francine Pelletier believe that 25 years later, things have truly changed. ‘Young women today are extraordinary,' says Simard. ‘It's not shameful to be a feminist.' She points to a recent feature in La Presse, ‘I am a feminist because...” “Women were scared to admit it for so long and it was so sad. It's been a hard 25 years.” With that Simard pauses for a long time on the other end of the phone line, before repeating herself. “A very hard 25 years.” While young women remain extraordinary, the word feminism has once again taken on a negative connotation with some on the political right calling feminists “femi-nazis.” Despite the optimism of Simard and Pelletier in 2014, not many people would agree that 11 years later things have truly changed for the better. According to Statistics Canada, Simard and Pelletier's optimism was not misplaced, as 2014 saw the lowest rates of intimate partner violence since recording began, but the rates have only been going up since then. Statistics Canada reported that from 2014 to 2022, intimate partner sexual assault increased 163 per cent, intimate partner physical assault increased 14 per cent and indecent or harassing communications increased 38 per cent. It is within this context, and as a result of the ongoing epidemic of intimate partner violence and femicide across Canada, that Maggie's Resource Centre is attempting to educate and empower women and the wider community as they take part in the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10. Background to the 16 Days of Activism According to the International Women's Development Agency, the 16 Days of Activism was inspired by three activist sisters, Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal, who were killed on Nov. 25, 1960 by members of the government of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. On Nov. 25, 1980 the day was declared to be the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Latin America. In 1991 The Centre for Women's Global Leadership collaborated with members of the first Women's Global Institute on Women, Violence and Human Rights, and together they called for a global campaign of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which begins on Nov. 25 and ends on Dec. 10- International Human Rights Day. Members of Maggie's have always held a vigil for the 14 women murdered at École Polytechnique as part of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, but this year, says executive director Melissa St. Pierre, they wanted to try and draw more people. Not only are they holding a vigil, but they have involved art students from North Hasting High School who will be putting on a memorial art show at the Muse Café on Dec. 5 that will run until noon on Dec. 6. Maggie's will hold a gathering from 1 to 2 p.m. on Dec. 5 where they will have cookies, coffee, and those in attendance will hear the recitation of 14 poems written by Anna Humphrey for each of the victims. The purpose of the art exhibit is two-fold, said St. Pierre, a vigil and a chance to educate the younger generations who may not be aware of the murders and the political motivation behind them. Maggie's began the 16 Days of Activism by hosting a women's pancake lunch and organizing the raising of the “wrapped in courage” flag at the Town of Bancroft's municipal building. They have been doing daily activities both online and within the public everyday since meant to educate and raise awareness about gender-based and intimate partner violence. For example, on day two they released the annual Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional housing report on Femicide in Ontario which reported that over the last year 43 women have been murdered, a number that is slightly down from the 62 reported last year. Despite the small drop in Ontario's numbers, the Government of Canada's statistics, released as part of the 16 Days of Activism tells a very disturbing story. During 2024, 240 women were murdered across Canada an increase of 54 per cent over pre-COVID numbers. St. Pierre also stated that the number of women who receive violence against women counselling at Maggie's has stayed consistent. She pointed out that they served 22 women from April 1 to Sept. 30, adding that the actual number of women experiencing intimate partner violence is likely much higher. Statistics Canada estimates that 80 per cent of people who experience intimate partner violence do not report it to police. St. Pierre expressed frustration with the fact that many women who experience intimate partner violence have no where to go as resources are stretched to their limit. She said there are places that will take women and children in Peterborough, but due to high numbers, they refuse to take women and children escaping violence in Bancroft. She pointed out that she is not blaming the workers and pointed to a lack of funding. “They do what can, but it's hard,” she stated, adding that many people do not understand why women stay in violent situations, but she stated that the reasons are complex and often involve the lack of shelters close by as their jobs, support networks, and children's schools are in the area. As a way to combat some of the myths about intimate partner violence, Maggie's released some myths vs facts information on their Facebook page to encourage people to “discover the facts and bust the myths.” For example, one myth is that domestic violence only happens when someone flies out of control, but Maggie's pointed out that domestic violence is a deliberate choice to exert power and control over their partner. While the partner may appear angry, the anger is often intentional. Another common myth is that domestic violence is always physical. Maggie's points out that there are many different types of abuse that exist on a “continuum” and range from emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse. Another myth is that intimate partner violence is not very common, but they point out that this is not true and that one in four women will experience violence at the hands of their partner. Some of the other activities that Maggie's has planned for the 16 Days of Activism involves staff members participating in the Dec. 2 giving Tuesday when they will be walking around town and giving out goodies for free. On Dec. 7 they will be showing a Fifth Estate program about the Wilno Murders. Maggie's has partnered with Moose FM to create an empowering playlist of songs that will air on Dec. 8. On Dec. 9 they will be examining violence against women in different cultures and the 16 Days of Activism will culminate on Dec. 10 with a discussion about human rights and what it means to be a feminist. St. Pierre encourages all people to abide by the rule of “see something, say something” meaning that if you witness intimate partner violence, misogynistic comments, or verbal or psychological abuse, don't just ignore it, address it. St. Pierre stated that it cannot just be women speaking out and she highlighted the importance of male allies in addressing intimate partner violence when they see or hear it. For more information on gender-based violence and intimate partner violence visit www.maggiesresource.com For more information about the 16 Days of Activism visit Maggie's Facebook page by searching for Maggie's Resource Centre of North Hastings. --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2025-12-02 15:33:21 Post date GMT: 2025-12-02 20:33:21 Post modified date: 2025-12-02 15:33:24 Post modified date GMT: 2025-12-02 20:33:24 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com