December 6th remembered
Remembering and resisting violence against women
Aviva Cipilinski and Meredith Mitchell
On December 6th 1989, a man entered the Engineering college of École Polytechnique at the University of Montreal with the intent of killing women inside. After 45 minutes of wandering through halls and classrooms, separating out the women from the men, 14 women were murdered. He then took his own life. The suicide note stated his intention of killing only women in order to fight against feminism, which he perceived to be the sole cause of his failures in life.
In 2005, December 6th is a day to remember, memorialize and resist violence. Sixteen years ago on this day, 14 women were murdered because they were women. This story and many other stories of violence are too often considered to be isolated events and not remembered as a part of a larger problem. We must take on the of knowing these stories and placeing them in a larger context that recognizes that violence affects all of us.
In retelling this story the name of the murderer is irrelevant. For many people he represents more than the events of December 6th. Removing his name from the record dispels the myth that violence is done by “bad guys” It is important to understand that violence is systemic; we all learn not to see it and to normalize its effects. Violence is a part of how we live and it exists in the things we say and do everyday.
Many women feel unsafe walking on campus late at night due to the reality, as well as a learned fear, of stranger attacks. Yet according to a General Social Survey by The Status of Women Canada: “Women are much more likely to be victimized by someone they know than by a stranger. In 2000, 77per cent of all female victims were victimized by someone they know (37per cent by a close friend or an acquaintance, 29per cent by a current or past partner, 11per cent by other family members - including parents) while 19per cent were victimized by a stranger.”
Sisters in Spirit, a campaign to end violence against Aboriginal women, states that, “Aboriginal women with status were five times more likely to die as a result of violence than any other group of Canadian women.” Over the last 20 years, 500 Aboriginal women have disappeared in Western Canada.
On Tuesday, December 6th, 2005, the Womyn’s Centre is hosting a candle lighting ceremony in memorial of the women lost 16 years ago and all women affected by violence. At noon on this day there will be a vigil in 205/207 University Centre followed by music and speakers at the Campo stage. Please join us in remembering and resisting violence against women. It is everyone’s responsibility to end violence against women.
Campus Resources
University of Manitoba Womyn’s Centre
located at 190 Helen Glass #474 6897 Confidential E-mail Address: uofm_womyn@hotmail.com
Rainbow Pride Mosaic (RPM)
195 Helen Glass #4747439
Security Services
97 Dafoe Road, Services Building #474-9312. On Campus Emergency: Dial 555
Community Resources
Women’s Health Clinic
419 Graham Avenue 3rd Floor
#947-1517
Klinic Community Health Centre
870 Portage Avenue
General Information #784-4090.
24 hour crisis/suicide line #786-8686.
24 hour sexual assault crisis line #786 8631
(toll free: 1-888-292-7565)
website http://www.klinic.mb.ca
e-mail klinic@klinic.mb.ca
Rainbow Resource Centre
1-222 Osborne St. #284-5208
