At the CFUW Vigil in 2017, Lori Kewaquom, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Cultural Wellness Coordinator, told the crowd to give others strength, and come together to build relationships and support one another.
Fifteen percent of Canadian female students between the ages of 14 to 21 said they had had a sexual act forced on them, in many cases occurring before Grade 7, according to a 2019 CBC Marketplace anonymous survey of 4,000 students.
In a Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Southport media release, that means in a class of 20 female students, three were sexually assaulted. Male students were not unscathed as nine percent of them reported being sexually abused by their peers.
The problem is gender-based violence still remains largely unreported, said Heather Conlin, Co-President of the CFUW Southport.
"Violence against women is not just a women's issue. Men need to be included in the discussion and solution. Raising awareness is a good beginning but concrete actions are required in families and schools from the very beginning to develop respect for all and healthy relationships," Conlin said.
This December 6 marks the 30th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in which 14 women were murdered because they were women; and for the 29th year, CFUW Southport will once again be holding a vigil in Coulter Parkette to remember these women and other victims of violence.
The organization will also highlight the White Ribbon campaign that encourages men and boys to wear a white ribbon from November 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, until December 6, which is Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action of Violence Against Women.
Everyone is welcome to attend the December 6 vigil which starts at noon at Coulter Parkette, the corner of Green and Goderich Street in downtown Port Elgin.
