Every year on December 10th, people around the world celebrate and acknowledge Human Rights Day, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The UDHR affirms universal rights to all people, including the right to live free from violence and discrimination—fundamental to the fight against intimate partner violence (IPV).
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Led by the YWCA Toronto, Luke’s Place has joined 148 other organizations urging the Ontario government to Pass 173, The Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024:
Dear Premier Ford and Members of the Ontario Legislature,
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Ecole Polytechnique Massacre which saw a man deliberately kill 14 women.
Today, December 6th marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Thirty-five years ago today, a violent femicide took place at Polytechnique Montréal.
On December 6, we remember:
Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Since this femicide occurred 35 years ago,
This #GivingTuesday, we are asking you to stand with us. We are calling on our community to come together and take action against intimate partner violence because together, we can make a difference. Your support matters now more than ever.
Why #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving,
As we continue to recognize Woman Abuse Prevention Month and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), we’ve explored ways that service providers, advocates, lawyers, judges and the broader community can take action to end all forms of gender-based violence. We recognize that many people working in these roles are also survivors,
Just last week, a woman was killed in Oshawa, and her husband was arrested and charged with her murder. Sadly, this tragedy is not an abnormality. Intimate partner violence is an insidious epidemic, and it is taking lives. Of the 62 women and children killed this past year in Ontario, at least 25 were killed because of intimate partner violence.
A few days ago, we shared some ideas for how lawyers, judges and other legal system collaborators can join in the collective fight to end GBV. These ideas included seeking out more training and education opportunities on issues of GBV and connecting with local GBV organizations in their community.
As we have been exploring on our blog this month in recognition of Woman Abuse Awareness month, everyone has a role to play when it comes to eliminating gender-based violence. It is only through collective action that we can begin to take meaningful steps to prevent this pervasive form of violence.
As we are exploring throughout November, everyone has a role in building safer communities by ending gender-based violence (GBV). Service providers, advocates and others supporting women as they leave an abusive relationship can play an especially important role in ending violence against women.
Here are some examples of ways you can take action:
1.
Every year, from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), the world observes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This global campaign, first led by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness and take action toward eliminating all forms of gender-based violence.
