More action needed to end violence against women, Manitoba advocate says
On a day aimed at bringing violence against women to an end, a community in Manitoba is mourning the deaths of four women at the hands of an alleged serial killer. Advocates say more action is needed to curb the increasing violence against women in Canada.
Dec. 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On this day 33 years ago, an armed man walked into a classroom in École Polytechnique de Montréal, killing 14 women and injuring 13 others in an anti-feminist attack.
Amrita Chavan, communications specialist for the Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters, said gender-based violence has been escalating over the decades.
"If we do not take action against this urgent human rights crisis, the fatalities and the femicides are just going to keep increasing," Chavan said.
She said it's a day that is even more important to Manitobans, as an investigation into the deaths of four Indigenous women continues.
Winnipeg police say Morgan Beatrice Harris, 39, Marcedes Myran, 26, Rebecca Contois, 24, and an unidentified woman since referred to by the community as Buffalo Woman (Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe) – were killed by an alleged serial killer.
Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki, 35, is facing four charges of first-degree murder. None of the charges against him have been proven in court.
"We are mourning four beloved Indigenous women and community members and we're standing with their families, we are also holding in our memories and our thoughts the 14 women who were killed by violence 33 years ago in Montréal," Chavan said.
She said gender-based violence is still ongoing.
In Manitoba over the last year, she said there have been more than 18,000 crisis calls, with more than 2,500 women and children getting support from the shelters.
"In Manitoba this year alone, we've seen 18 women tragically lost to violence, this is an unprecedented number," said Rochelle Squires, the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. "We know there is so much work that needs to be done on eradicating gender-based violence."
Chavan said the first step people can take to combat the violence is believing survivors.
"It takes enormous courage for a survivor or a victim of violence to disclose abuse," she said. "We have to make it safe and okay for them to disclose their violence, and we have to believe them. This culture of victim blaming, it's not okay and it has to end."
The second thing Chavan said people can do is educate themselves and others on what a healthy relationship is, what consent means, and what are the various kinds of abuse.
"We can learn to be active bystanders – interrupting harmful language and misogynistic, sexist, homophobic, transphobic language, and behaviour," she said. "That's very important because that holds people accountable and it sends a message to everybody in society that this is not okay and it's got to stop."
She said there needs to be widespread investment in training and funding for organizations that are on the front lines, supporting survivors and doing the work.
A sunrise ceremony was held at the Manitoba Legislature on Tuesday morning to bring awareness to gender-based violence, and to honour the lives of the women who have become victims of gender-based violence.
The province also lowered the flags to half-mast and plans to light the Legislative Building with a purple ribbon on Tuesday evening.
-with files from CTV's Jeff Keele
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.