On December 6th, we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Parliament designated this day following the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6th, 1989. CNC’s flags are at half-mast in honour of those who died.
The CNC community stands united against hatred and violence. Gender-based violence impacts one in three women according to the United Nations (UN). The BC Government notes half of sexual assault victims in 2016 and 2017 were females under the age of 25. Statistics Canada reports Indigenous women experience a rate of physical or sexual assault 50 per cent higher than non-Indigenous women.
We ask members of the CNC community to be familiar with our student sexual misconduct policy and procedures. It is vital for you to take steps immediately after an incident. These include getting to a safe place, calling 9-1-1 and contacting CNC security as appropriate, and seeking medical attention. Free, confidential, multilingual support is also available through VictimLinkBC. Please call or text 1-800-563-0808 any time.
We are grateful for members of the CNC community who joined with our friends and colleagues at UNBC as well as the Northern Women’s Centre and Inspiring Women Among Us for a ceremony against gender-based violence on November 23rd. CNC will host this ceremony in 2023.
On December 6th, please take a moment to honour the victims of the Montréal Massacre:
- Geneviève Bergeron
- Hélène Colgan
- Nathalie Croteau
- Barbara Daigneault
- Anne-Marie Edward
- Maud Haviernick
- Maryse Laganière
- Maryse Leclair
- Anne-Marie Lemay
- Sonia Pelletier
- Michèle Richard
- Annie St-Arneault
- Annie Turcotte
- Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
As we work toward a world free of hatred and misogyny, we also want to note that November 25, 2022 marked the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which began 16 days of activism to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world. You can visit the UN website to learn more.
You are also welcome to visit the BC Government’s website on gender-based violence, sexual assault, and domestic violence for helpful resources and information.