National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
On December 6, we remember:
- 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
These 14 young women were murdered in a horrific act of gender-based violence (also known as femicide) at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989. We mourn their loss and remember their lives, and reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy. In Canada and around the world, women, girls, LGBTQ2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, plus) and gender-diverse individuals face violence and discrimination. Femicide is recognized internationally by the United Nations as the most extreme form of violence and discrimination against women and girls. Its definition varies across disciplines and world regions, but broadly captures the killing of females, primarily by men, because they are female.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.
King’s University College is committed to protecting our community and to the advancement of knowledge and engagement in the open pursuit of truth and the discovery, and the sharing of knowledge in service to humanity as outlined in King’s Mission. We acknowledge the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. At King’s we teach and research women’s studies, sociology, social justice and peace and other subject areas to affirm gender diversity, end hatred and violence and make our community safer for all. The tragedy of l'École Polytechnique pushes us to advocate and educate for increased safety of our community. This is a time for us to take action.
Understanding Femicide
The Cardinal Carter Library has a variety of resources about the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, 16 Days of Activism and gender-based and sexual violence - they're listed under "16 Days of Activism - GBV."
Dr. Jordan Fairbairn, in the Department of Sociology, spoke to a number of media outlets about these issues in the past; here are two of the articles:
- "Netflix series Maid a rare example of media offerings that capture complexities of intimate partner violence, experts say" - this article quotes Dr. Jordan Fairbairn, associate professor in the Department of Sociology at King’s University College
- "Montréal Massacre anniversary: The media must play a key role in fighting femicide" - co-written by Dr. Jordan Fairbairn, King's University College; King's alumna Ciara Boyd '18; Dr. Myrna Dawson, University of Guelph; and Dr. Yasmin Jiwani, Concordia University; republished in the National Post, and The World (PRX), among other print and digital publications
King's Campus Resources
King’s has on-campus resources to help all members of our community:
- Report sexual or gender-based violence
- Get help and resources for sexual or gender-based violence
- Reach our Campus and Community Social Worker
- Respond to a disclosure of gender-based violence
King’s is also a participant in Safe Cities London.
Western's Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children (CREVAWC) conducts research that investigates systemic and structural barriers to the safety of women and children,
Resources and Books from the Library
Rage and resistance: a theological reflection on the Montreal Massacre
King’s HV6535.C3O4 2006
December 6: from the Montreal massacre to gun control: the inside story
King’s HV7439.C3R38
The Montreal massacre
Brescia HV6535.C2M24
Flowers we will never know the names of: long poem
Weldon PR9299.1.F667F56 2014
After the Montreal Massacre
Online video
The Montreal Massacre: 30 Years On. February 2020
Online video
General books on Gender-Based Violence:
Female genital mutilation and social media
King’s GN484.J85 2019
Understanding gender based violence: national and international contexts
King’s HM1116.U53 2015
Social work practice with survivors of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation
King’s HQ281.S745 2018
Challenging reproductive control and gendered violence in the Americas: intersectionality, power, and struggles for rights
King’s HQ766 .H47 2018
Feminist accountability: disrupting violence and transforming power
King’s HQ1155.R87 2019
The trouble with marriage: feminists confront law and violence in India
King’s HQ1742.B394 2015
Home safe home: housing solutions for survivors of intimate partner violence
King’s HV1445.B68 2016
Honour killing: dilemma, ritual, understanding
King’s HV6197.P18J34 2008
Women and gendered violence in Canada: an intersectional approach
King’s HV6250.4.W65B77 2018
"Honour" killing and violence: theory, policy and practice
King’s HV6250.4.W65H663 2014
Gender violence: a cultural perspective
King’s HV6250.4.W65M477 2009
A paradox of honor: hopes and perspectives of Muslim-American women
King’s HV6250.4.W65S5235 2018
Violence against women: criminological perspectives on men's violences
King’s HV6250.4.W65W4654 2015
Involving men in ending violence against women: development, gender and VAW in times of conflict
King’s HV6250.4.W65W82 2018
With ash on their faces: Yezidi women and the Islamic State
King’s HV6433.I722O88 2018
Intimate partner violence, risk and security: securing women's lives in a global world
King’s HV6626.I63 2018
Partners in change: working with men to end gender-based violence
King’s HV6626.P37
The crisis of campus sexual violence: critical perspectives on prevention and response
King’s LB2345.C75 2016
Campus action against sexual assault: needs, policies, procedures, and training programs
King’s LB2345.3.R37C36 2016
Rape culture on campus
King’s LB2345.3.R37M56 2018
Perspectives on college sexual assault: perpetrator, victim, and bystander
King’s LB2345.3.R37P47 2015
Sexual violence at Canadian universities: activism, institutional responses, and strategies for change
King’s LB2345.3.R37S49 2017
Shame, gender violence, and ethics: terrors of injustice
Weldon BF575.S45S524 2021
Handbook on gender and violence
Weldon HM1116 .H355 2019
Gender through the prism of difference
Weldon HQ1075.G4666 2020
Hiding in plain sight: immigrant women and domestic violence
Brescia HV6626.23.C3 C45 2020
The politicization of safety: critical perspectives on domestic violence responses
Brescia KF9322.P76 2019
Disrupting shameful legacies: girls and young women speaking back through the arts to address sexual violence
Weldon NX650.S53D57 2018
