December 6 a day to end the violence

Human cost of violence against women means need for change is urgent

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On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 young women lost their lives at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. That day has come to symbolize the high human cost of violence against women and the urgent need to change Canadian society.

In 1991, Dec. 6 was designated an annual National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Canadians are meeting the challenge not only to remember, but also to act to end violence against women. Following are some ideas of how you and your community can join in stopping violence against women.

Change begins with individuals

All women and men can make a personal commitment to the principle of zero tolerance - that no amount of violence is acceptable and that women's safety is a priority. The Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women, which conducted a national study released in July 1993, offered some immediate and practical suggestions:

- Practise co-operation instead of competition.

- Not laugh at women-hating jokes and racial slurs.

- Learn the true history of Aboriginal and Inuit people, as well as the current realities of their lives.

- Resist and work to eliminate heterosexualism.

- Realize that child witnesses of violence suffer as much as the direct victims.

Individual men can:

- Pledge not to be violent.

- Give up their need for power and control.

- Ask women about their experiences, fears and the equality barriers they face.

- Share in child care and home maintenance, and do their part without being asked.

- Challenge any tolerance of violence or sexist behavior.

- Give financial and political support to services for victims and survivors.

In communities, individuals can:

- Find out what services exist for victims of violence.

- Help at local transition house, rape crisis centre or shelter.

Communities can use the Panel's Community Kit to:

- Organize a community action group to establish plans of action and to conduct a safety audit of your community.

- Assess how well available services for women victims and survivors of violence meet women's needs.

- Determine what other services are need and mobilize to add new services where required.

- Find out what places in your community are dangerous for women and make changes so that women can both feel safe and be safe.

- Raise awareness among the people who plan our environment so that they will consider women's safety when they plan public and private places.

The Panel's Final Report, National Action Plan and Community Kit are available in both official languages from the Canada Communications Group at (819) 956-4802.