Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Watch a short video of the presentation here!
We can make a difference when CFUW clubs communicate and work together. Recently Jackie Street UWC North York and Nancy Pigden CFUW Orillia travelled to Ottawa to witness Adam Chambers, Conservative Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, read Petition e-4185 in the House of Commons.
This journey began when Jackie Street was appalled when she read how our Justice System despite 2019 amendments to the bail provisions, was continuing to fail many Intimate Partner Victims (IPV) by letting repeat offenders out on bail enabling them to terrorize, assault and even kill their victims or drive them to suicide. This motivated Jackie to do an in-depth study of IPV and propose a Resolution that would close loopholes and strengthen the bail laws so victims of IPV would be better protected.
The proposal by the Gender-Based Violence Committee of UWC North York was accepted by CFUW.
A detailed Resolution was submitted to CFUW and after receiving valuable input from CFUW clubs across Canada, the Resolution was rewritten and passed unanimously at the August 2022 AGM meeting. It became a CFUW National Resolution.
CFUW Orillia Advocacy Committee decided in the Fall of 2022 to focus on the issue of Gender Based Violence.
Karen Baldock (President CFUW Orillia) and Nancy Pigden (Advocacy Chair) contacted Adam Chamber’s office. The well-researched information for the Resolution was presented. The importance of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was also discussed. Adam offered the idea of the
e-petition. The online petition went live on November 8 and by December 8 when it closed there were 972 signatures from across Canada. The signing of the petition was a collective effort from members from CFUW.
Nancy and Jackie went to Ottawa. Paige Inglis (National Advocacy Coordinator CFUW-FCFDU) and Elizabeth Malcolm (Membership Engagement Coordinator CFUW-FCFDU) all met at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill. Kyla Canzanese, Legislative Assistant, escorted the group to the West Block for a tour of the new building. Security was evident. The group met Adam Chambers before the presentation of the petition. It was an exciting moment when the petition was read aloud in the House of Commons.
There is further advocacy that needs to be done to draw attention to the issue of Gender Based Violence.
Please read further for some examples.
Adoption of Clare’s Law in Ontario and other provinces which allows intimate partners to find out if their partner has a history of abusive behaviour. This law originated in the UK after Clare Wood was murdered by her intimate partner in 2009 and has now been adopted in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland/Labrador. A petition called Justice for Bobbi: Adopt Clare’s Law in Ontario already has 43,000 signatures (Bobbi Nelson committed suicide after being a victim of domestic violence.)
Advocacy for adequate funding for mandatory programs that successfully reduce offenders of IPV from reoffending.
Supporting programs such as White Ribbon, a movement of men and boys to end violence against women and children.
Educating ourselves and others about important resources e.g. “Do you know a Woman Who is Being Abused?” A legal rights handbook CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) and “Programming Responses for Intimate Partner Violence.”
By sharing ideas among CFUW clubs we can make a difference when we communicate and work together.
Nancy Pigden, CFUW Orillia
Jackie Street, UWC North York
