The Coalition of Women’s Groups of Haute-Yamaska and Brome-Missisquoi are in the midst of carrying out an awareness campaign as a part of the 12 days of Action Against Violence Towards Women . They are calling on the population to take a stand in support of victims of gender-based violence. The theme for this year’s awareness campaign is "collective responsibility means daring to denounce violence against women!"

The 12 days of Action Against Violence Towards Women is a campaign that was created following the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal on Dec. 6, 1989 where 14 women lost their lives at the hands of a gunman who targeted them because they were women. The goal of the campaign is to sensitize and educate the general public around the forms of violence that women face in society and to encourage concrete action at the government level to prevent situations of gender-based violence. The major symbol of the campaign is a white ribbon, which people are encouraged to wear in support of the cause. 

CIDI journalist Taylor McClure spoke with Brielle Laramée from the Avante Women’s Centre and Audrey Fontaine from the Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (CALACS) Des rivières Haute-Yamaska Brome-Missisquoi about why the 12 days of Action is significant to highlight annually and what the coalition has organized as a part of this year’s awareness campaign. 

According to statistics provided by the coalition for the year 2022-2023, the Maison Alice-Desmarais in Granby sheltered 90 women and 161 women received outpatient services related to domestic violence. Out of the 161 women receiving outpatient services, 23% were receiving services as a result of violence suffered by their current partner, and 63% were experiencing violence at the hands of a former partner. 

At the Cowansville women's shelter Horizon Pour Elle, 92 women were sheltered and 49  received outpatient services related to domestic violence. Violence against women continues to be “an ongoing reality,” Laramée told CIDI, with many women seeking support services every year. 

It is for this reason that the Coalition of Women’s Groups of Haute-Yamaska and Brome-Missisquoi has organized an awareness campaign via social media, kiosks in schools in both regions, as well as a viewing of the film Polytechnique. 

Listen to the full interview: