GUELPH-WELLINGTON – On Dec. 6 from 6 to 7pm, Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis and community allies are holding a virtual vigil to remember and honour the victims of the Montreal Massacre and those who have lost their lives to femicide in Ontario.
This event is happening over Zoom and will feature speakers, a moment of silence, and a space for the community to grieve the devastating impacts of gender-based violence.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is commemorated each year on Dec. 6, the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre where 14 women were murdered and 10 were injured in the name of “fighting feminism.”
Violence continues to impact the lives of women and girls every day, and the COVID-19 pandemic has shown an increase in the frequency and severity of gender-based violence.
During the first month of the pandemic alone, nine women in Canada were killed in domestic homicides.
“Home is not a safe place for everyone,” said Jensen Williams, public educator at Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis in a press release
“For those living with their abusers, not only may those individuals be experiencing increased violence but also increased barriers in accessing services that could support them.
“Now more than ever, survivors of violence need the support of the entire community.”
While this event may look different this year as the result of not being able to gather in-person, it is an opportunity for the community to demonstrate its commitment to supporting survivors and being part of the solution in ending gender-based violence.
To register for this event: visit Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis’ Facebook Event page.
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis is a feminist community-based organization providing services to women and children on woman abuse and sexual violence for over 40 years.
For more information contact Williams at 519-836-1110 ext: 234 or 613-294-7579 or email: wiceducator@gwwomenincrisis.org.
