CHOOSE TO ACT NON-VIOLENTLY

25 years ago today 14 women at École Polytechnique were murdered and 10  others were wounded in the name of "fighting feminism."

Unacceptable violence against women continues to exist in our communities and in some of our households.  

Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

The massacre by a lunatic gunman in 1989 made many Canadians wake up to the unconscionable unfathomable hatred that some men have towards women. Violence, in any form, is unacceptable. This was the act of a cowardly monster. 

Unfortunately, he was not the only monster in our society.  According to Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Royal Canadian Mounted Police data, from 2006 to 2012 approximately 20,462 violent crimes were committed against women over the age of 18 in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

The St. John’s Status of Women Council/Women’s Centre maintains a database that has the names of 60 women who have been killed or who are missing and presumed murdered in the province by spouses, boyfriends or sex related violence.

The implementation of violence prevention public awareness and education campaigns works. Research shows that high school violence

prevention programs are highly effective. Students experienced long-term benefits such as better dating relationships, the ability to recognize and leave an unhealthy relationship, and increased self-confidence, assertiveness, and leadership.

Memorial University commemorates the tragic anniversary with a vigil today held in EN-2006 in the Engineering building and will begin at 3:30 p.m. A small reception in the main foyer will follow. Free parking is available in area 60 located beneath the Earth Sciences building.