CFUW image.

Hub Staff

On December 6 CFUW Southport and community members will mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Following a virtual event in 2020 due to COVID (see: 2020 vigil will be a virtual one), the local chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women will once again return to an in-person event at noon on Monday, December 6 in Coulter Parkette, the corner of Green and Goderich Street in downtown Port Elgin.

In remembrance of the 14 women murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989 as well as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) the event will raise awareness about victims of gender based violence and will feature speakers from Saugeen First Nation, Women's House serving Bruce and Grey as well as Victim Services Bruce Grey Perth.

Funds are being raised for three local women's shelters.

Pat Sanagan, CFUW Southport, gave a presentation to Saugeen Shores Council November 22 and brought attention to gender based violence having made recent national, provincial and local headlines, including investigations and allegations in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian women's soccer league, a provincial summer music camp and the case of a local femicide.

See: Violence Prevention Grey Bruce addresses local femicide

Sanagan also brought attention to Maisy Odjick and Shannon Alexander, two local Indigenous women who have been missing since 2008.

"New data this year from Stats Canada reveals that more than six in 10 Indigenous women report having been physically or sexually assaulted at some point during their lifetime compared to more than four in 10 non Indigenous women," said Sanagan.

She then brought attention to local and national statistics and increased incidents of domestic violence as a result of the pandemic. Nationally a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six days, Sanagan said, adding that in Saugeen Shores from 2018 to 2020, domestic violence and sexual violence incidents reported to local police have almost doubled.

CFUW Southport will be acknowledging 16 Day of Activism, a national campaign that aims to raise awareness and support victims of gender based violence. In a series of slides presented to Council members, Sanagan, on behalf of CFUW Southport, offered ways to do that including listening to and believing survivors, recognizing signs of domestic violence, understanding consent, and the importance of gun control policies in mitigating the risk of gender based violence turning fatal.

Also mentioned was how internet provider policies can help to mitigate the risk of technologically-facilitied incidents of violence, abuse and harassment as well as a new initiative to recognize the risks of gender based violence  in bar and restaurant settings as part of the Smart Service training program.

Sanagan said that in addition to Indigenous women and girls, other marginalized populations such as disabled, trans, lesbian and bisexual women are also at a greater risk of gender based violence.

"We all have a personal responsibility to remind family and friends that either through their words or their actions, they can stop gender based violence at very simple level or at a level of policy in their work place and beyond," said Sanagan. "It's something we all have to take personal responsibility for."

To donate to The Women's Centre Grey and Bruce, Kabaeshiwin Respite Women's Shelter and Women's House Serving Bruce Grey in honour of the December 6 CFUW Southport vigil, visit trellis.org/cfuwvigil2022. A donation box will also be available at Coulter Parkette during the event for donations of cash or cheques payable to “CFUW Southport”.

Please note CFUW Southport is unable to issue tax receipts. The proceeds will be divided between the three shelters. 

LAST UPDATED: December 1, 2021