16 Days Of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The Campbell River and North Island Transition Society (CRNITS) is encouraging community members to take part in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, beginning Nov. 25 and ending on Dec. 10th.

“The campaign provides an opportunity to reflect on what we can do in our own classrooms, communities, and lives to eliminate the disproportionate violence faced by women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual plus) individuals,” said Diane Palmer, public relations coordinator for CRNITS. 

 To help deconstruct the inequalities that lead to violence, Palmer asked the community, workplaces and classrooms to consider the following 16 days of action:

November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

 Today kicks off the 16 Days of Action! Start by joining the conversation on social media:

•             Use the hashtag #16Days, #16DaysOfActivism and #ENDGBVTogther when you share the immediate actions you will take to help prevent and address gender-based violence

•             Follow and share Campbell River and North Island Transition Societies #16Days posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

•             Purple is the international color for Domestic Violence Awareness. Change your profile picture to purple and wear a purple ribbon to show that you stand against GBV.

November 26: Educate yourself and others on what gender-based violence is

Certain populations experience high levels of violence, including women; young women and girls; Indigenous women and girls; LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit) and gender diverse individuals; women living in Northern, rural, and remote communities; and women living with disabilities. The intersection of any two or more risk factors may increase a person’s risk and vulnerability to violence. In other words, anyone living with more than one of these factors may be even at a higher risk of gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence is not limited to physical violence and can include any word, action, or attempt to degrade, control, humiliate, intimidate, coerce, deprive, threaten, or harm another person. Gender-based violence can take many forms, including cyber, physical, sexual, societal, psychological, emotional, and economic. Neglect, discrimination, and harassment can also be forms of gender-based violence.

Find out more here: Gender Based Violence in Canada | Learn the Facts (canadianwomen.org)

November 27: Seek Help!

If you are in an unsafe situation, seek help. You are not alone! There is help available. VICTIMLINKBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services

November 28: Gender-Based Violence in the workplace:

Domestic violence can carry over into the workplace, threatening women’s ability to maintain economic independence. More than half (53%) of study respondents who experienced domestic violence said that at least one type of abusive act happened at or near their workplace. Almost 40% of those who had experienced domestic abuse said it made it difficult for them to get to work, and 8.5% said that they lost their jobs because of it.

Use the #16 Days as an opportunity to promote awareness and understanding of your workplace harassment and violence policies. Have universal communications to all staff to ensure they know where to look for the policies, who to talk to if they have questions, and where to locate GBV resources. Host a training or several on the topic of workplace harassment and violence.

November 29: Giving Tuesday!

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving where you can make an impact for non-profits and charities. Give back to local women’s, 2SLGBTQQIA+, or Indigenous organizations/shelters that work to prevent gender-based violence and support victim/survivors.

Locally, CRNITS is seeking support by asking for $16 dollars for the #16 days of activism. Your $16 dollars provides coffee, tea and a light meal to 8 women a day seeking shelter and safety from the elements at our Women’s Drop-in Center. Be the difference today.

November 30: Why does she stay?

Victims may rationalize staying by thinking ‘it’s not that bad’ or ‘others have it worse.’ They are not only judged by themselves but also by others who assume that they are making the choice to stay and that they have the power to end the abuse by leaving.

Just as frequently when talking about intimate partner violence, you’ll hear someone say “that couldn’t happen to me” or “I would never put up with it” or “I’d leave the second he raised his hand.” Those words are easy to say. That blame and implicit judgment is easy to hurl.

But today, during the 16 days of action to end violence against women, it’s time to shatter those myths and to ask different questions. Find out more here: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm

December 1: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Matter

Educate yourself about the disproportionate number of indigenous women who are victims of violence in our society and use Twitter and Instagram to share news articles, pictures, and information about missing or murdered loved ones. You can use these tags #MMIWG #MMIW #MMIW2S #missingandmurdered #genocide #callsforjustice #MMNAWG #gonebutnotforgotten #REDdress #sistersinspirit #NotInvisible #NoMore.

December 2: Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence affect us all

According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation 67 percent of us know someone who has been abused. It could be someone you know: your sister, your neighbor, your coworker. Learn to identify the signs of abuse.

Here is a great resource for the risk factors of domestic violence: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html

December 3: Register for the Coldest Night of the Year

Coldest Night of the Year is a super-fun, family-friendly fundraising walk that supports local charity partners across Canada who provide essential care and service for people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger. Register today at: https://cnoy.org/home and walk on February 25, 2023.

December 4: Bring men into the picture

Bring men into the discussion. They are an important part of creating change. Men must take ownership of the issue, recognize and condemn domestic violence even in its most subtle forms, understand and discuss it not only with their sons, friends and colleagues, but also with their daughters and the women in their life.

Women can no longer be solely responsible for educating and trying to prevent and fight against domestic violence.

December 5: International Volunteer Day

Agencies that help survivors of all types of abuse rely on volunteers. Reach out to local women’s, 2SLGBTQQIA+, or Indigenous organizations/shelters that work to prevent gender-based violence and support victim/survivors and ask how you can help.

December 6: Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Today we reflect on the 14 victims who were murdered in Quebec because they were women. Take a moment to consider what actions you can continue #16days and beyond to stand up against misogyny, sexism and hate to foster a culture of respect.

Join us: The event will be held on Tuesday December 6 at Spirit Square at 12 pm with drumming, speakers, a remembrance of the 14 victims from Quebec and information booths for people to collect relevant information on local resources. We look forward to creating an event that represents all that are affected by honoring, bringing awareness and creating change for victims of GBV.

December 7: Watch what you say

Change your language. How often have we laughed off comments like boys will be boys or accepted terms like be a good girl, darling, sweetie and babe. Gender stereotypes contribute to a world that allows violence and inequality for women. Commit to changing your language and interrupt those patterns.

December 8: Speak out and share your story

Share your information and break the stigma that domestic violence should not be talked about. Share your story, art or photograph on social media and tag #crnits.

December 9:  Be an ally

Listen: be open to learning from the experiences of others                    

Believe: support survivors and those affected by violence

Speak out: add your voice to call out violence

Intervene: find a safe way to help when you see acts of gender-based violence

December 10: International Human Rights Day

Everyone has the right to live free from violence. However, many Canadians across the country continue to face violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This is referred to as gender-based violence (GBV) and is a violation of human rights.

If you look closely, you will see the roots of GBV all around you, in the jokes that demean LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit) people, in media messages that objectify women, and in the rigid gender norms imposed on young children.

Exercise your rights and allow others the freedom of a world of acceptance.

Some useful resource numbers if you or someone you know needs help:

Campbell River and North Island Transition Society: 250-287-7384

Ann Elmore Transition House 24-hour help lines: 250-286-3666

Text only line: 250-895-1773

Toll Free line: 1-800-667-2188

CR Sexual Assault Response Program 250-201-2150

Vancouver Island Crisis Line 1-888-494-3888

Purple ribbons can be picked up for free at Transitions Thrift Store located at 8830-13th Avenue.