It was a powerful show of solidarity in Halifax on Saturday as local universities teamed up with the YWCA to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
Experts say, despite the fact that half of all Canadian women will face physical or sexual violence by the age of 16, the issue remains shrouded in shame and silence.
“We know these offences are highly underreported so that’s why we need to reach out to the community and have more people involved in this conversation,” says Halifax Regional Police Deputy Chief Bill Moore.
Many participated in a protest march through the streets of Halifax and gathered at Grand Parade for Saturday’s Be Strong With Her event.
Students from Mount Saint Vincent University, Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, Acadia University and the Nova Scotia College or Art and Design were among those taking part in the event, organized by the YWCA.
“Because we’re a women’s organization staffed by women with a board of only women, it doesn’t actually matter what program you’re a part of, violence enters into the conversation,” says Miia Suokonautio, executive director of the Halifax YWCA.
“On any given night we’ll have as many as 60 different women and children in our different housing programs and so we also do a micro-lending program for women leaving domestic violence.”
While there are some places where women can turn to in urban areas, resources are thin in rural areas.
Tessa Janes of the Acadia University Women’s Centre says the need is also great at universities.
“We always talk about, the first six weeks of university are the worst, where we average two to three sexual assaults per week,” says Janes.
Money raised at the Be Strong With Her event will fund programs that help women, including women and children fleeing violence.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw
