16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence
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A trend, referred to as the “shadow pandemic” by United Nations, is showing that there has been a sharp increase in gender-based violence since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic. We also are seeing that right here in Niagara violence against women is a crisis. In Ontario, 1 in 3 women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime and every 11 days a woman or child is killed by a man known to them. Violence against women transcends class, culture, race, and ethnicity, however, these numbers are much higher for women of colour and Indigenous women.
During these 16 Days of Activism, there are some things that you can do to help stop gender-based violence:
Click here for poster: Poster for December 6 vigil & pj drive
- Donate to Unifor 199’s Pajama Drive
From November 29 to December 15th in support of Women’s Shelter Gillian’s Place we will be collecting *NEW* women’s pajamas, slippers and underwear.
Donations can be dropped off at the union hall or to Jessica McCourt in the GM in-plant union offices.
Learn more about Gillian’s Place https://gilliansplace.com/
Click here for Pajama Drive poster
For more information contact Jessica at 289-228-5967 jessica.mccourt@gm.com
- Educate yourself and become an ally
Key components of domestic violence are shame and isolation. By learning, showing you care and by listening you can help change the stigma and shame while breaking down the walls of isolation.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation has a very informative fact sheet which will help you better understand more about gender-based violence and the affect it has on not only victims and their children but also all Canadians. https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/gender-based-violence/
- Read Unifor’s statement on gender-based violence
Learn more about the National’s stance on gender-based violence and what they are striving for this year. https://www.unifor.org/campaigns/all-campaigns/men-speak-out-end-gender-based-violence
- Advocate
Challenge harmful stereotypes and myths that perpetuate gender inequality and put women, girls and gender-diverse individuals at an increased risk for violence by engaging in educational discussion with family, peers and coworkers.
Contact your local MPP by phone or email and help bring awareness to the issue of gender-based violence within your community https://www.ola.org/en/members/current/contact-information.
Share the #SignalForHelp – This is a way for those at risk of violence at home to video call for help without leaving a digital trace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFLZEQFIm7k
- Know where to find resources
www.211.ca is a useful hub for services in your own communities
www.VictimServicesNiagara.on.ca – 24hr Emergency Referral Line – 905-682-2626
www.sheltersafe.ca – an online resource for women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse
- Volunteer as a Safe Pet foster home
Safe Pet Ontario aims to provide a safe home for companion animals and pets of survivors of gender-based violence to ensure the safety of their pet does not act as a barrier to escaping violence. https://safepet.ca/
- Contact your Women’s Advocate
Unifor has a network of over 400 Women’s Advocates across Canada which are positions negotiated into collective agreements. Trained General Motors’ Unifor Women’s Advocate, Jessica McCourt, is available for all members who are seeking information, support and referral on gender-based violence including domestic violence. Referrals are available for many issues such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence and other forms of abuse, anger management, mental health and counselling, pregnancy, stalking and divorce/separation.
*If you are experiencing violence or have concern for someone you know, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your Women’s Advocate is here to support all members regardless of gender. Privacy and confidentiality are deeply respected.
Call, text, email or stop by the Employment Equity union office in the WEST clockhouse
In solidarity,
Jessica McCourt
Women’s Advocate & Employment Equity Rep
Unifor Local 199 GM Unit
Office: 905.641.6559
Cell: 289.228.5967
Jessica.mccourt@gm.com