Striving for equity and respect
Last month the world celebrated International Women’s Day. Somehow this year it had a different feel to it. A defining moment in 2017 was the emergence of a unified voice to end violence against women. In 2017 #MeToo saw an incredible outpouring of support and opened eyes as to how many women in so many communities have had to suffer in silence through the ordeal of abuse. As more victims of abuse disclose the need for support services rises. Interval House of Hamilton’s shelter and our outreach programs, as well as other women’s services in our city, received an increased number of women requesting assistance. We believe this will continue to rise as more women feel empowered to disclose.
Each year the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses releases a Femicide List; a list of women in the province of Ontario who have been murdered within the past 12 months because they were female. On the list in November 2017, there were 31 women who were killed. Thirteen were the result of a direct intimate partner and 18 were intentional murder of women because they are women. This year, in January alone, in our province, five women were murdered, one of those women in our own community.
It is generally acknowledged that gender-based abuse and violence has been a long-standing societal issue. The allegations that started to emerge in 2017 among celebrities generated a loud public voice across North America. This voice demanded that we all take a stand and influence change. Could this be the societal shift we have been waiting for? Could the next generation grow up in a society that promotes and practices equity and respect?
The announcement from the minister of the status of women on March 1 was very timely. This was the day the government announced “It’s Never OK: Ontario’s Gender-based Violence Strategy,” a comprehensive provincewide investment to support survivors of abuse and violence and address the root causes.
When children witness Mom, or any other woman, being abused there can be a devastating impact. Girls may grow up believing this is how women are treated by men, and boys may grow up believing that this is how they are to treat women. Our children learn through imitation — be it good or bad behaviour.
In Hamilton, we have taken steps in the right direction. Last year our elite sports teams — the Hamilton Bulldogs, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and McMaster University Athletics (football, men’s basketball, and men’s volleyball) along with the Hamilton TigerCat cheerleaders — partnered with Interval House of Hamilton’s Mentor Action Be More Than a Bystander #BMTB program. The program provides practical tools to speak up and to communicate that violence, abuse and harassment is not acceptable.
The male players who have been chosen by their teams to take part are role models for the youth in our city and for all their fans. The Be More Than a Bystander #BMTB awareness campaign combines their influence with a vital message — that violence off the field, the rink, or the court, is not OK. Gender-based violence is unacceptable and it’s time we all stand up and speak out. This year, the program will be presented in selected schools and at events across the community.
As well, Interval House of Hamilton is selling large #BMTB tote shopping bags with proceeds going to IHOH programs. The shopping bags are three for $20 and can be purchased on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mizner’s Antiques & More Market, 367 Hwy. 5 W., Dundas, or by calling the shelter (number below).
In 2017 our shelter was over capacity with one month being at 130 per cent. More than 90 women and over 84 children stayed in our emergency shelter alone. We are here to provide service to women with or without children. When a woman is fleeing abuse/violence she will never be turned away.
The call to action for gender-equity is now!
If you would like further information on Be More Than A Bystander or how you can support the needs of the women and children during their stay at the shelter, visit intervalhousehamilton.org or call 905-3879959.