PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2009

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Making Their Lives Count:

Survivor of Domestic Violence says, “Killing for ‘honour’ or for any other reason has to be punished for what it is, a criminal crime, a first-degree murder.”

Toronto, July 27, 2009: Almost a month after the car containing the lifeless bodies of one Montreal woman and three teenage girls ages 19,17 and 13 was found, the public has learned that these woman and girls could be victims of domestic homicide, murdered at the hands of those they trusted most. It is appalling that the media is spinning this horrific tragedy into a cultural issue…every culture has violence! Under no circumstance is there honour in murder we must stop perpetuating the myths surrounding this word; this is deliberate and calculated murder. A Woman Abuse Council of Toronto volunteer and survivor of domestic violence says, “Killing for ‘honour’ or for any other reason has to be punished for what it is, a criminal crime, a first-degree murder.”

Violence against women occurs in all religious, ethnic, social and economic groups across Canada and around the world. Some women however are more vulnerable and are more likely to experience violence; this includes women with precarious immigration status, women with disabilities and Aboriginal women. In 2000, Statistics Canada reported that women are five times more likely to fear for their lives as a result of spousal violence. Every woman has the right to live free from violence and abuse, and it is time that every man and woman takes a stand on violence against woman. According to Statistics Canada’s 2006 report “Measuring Violence Against Women” Canada’s Criminal Code does not recognize psychological, emotional and financial abuse as crimes unless the perpetrator and victim are in an intimate partner relationship. Who is protecting woman who experience these horrific ordeals from those who are not their intimate partner, men who maybe their employers or in the case of these women, their own family. This case is very complex and we have been given very few details about the event, however, let’s look closer at what lead up to their deaths; was there instances of non physical abuse? If the Criminal Code held the non-physical abusers accountable then these deaths may have been prevented.

As a coordinating body, the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto identifies gaps in service; supports and facilitates policy development and pilot projects; and undertakes research and actions that promote institutional and systemic change. One of the most important philosophic principles of the Council is that the voices of women survivors inform policy and program development and planning. The Women’s Voices For Action Committee (WV4A) engage in community awareness initiatives which promote healthy relationships with the vision of ultimately ending violence against women and children. –30–

http://www.womanabuse.ca

Type of News Item: News

Category/Topic of interest:
Woman Abuse
Family Violence

Population Group:
Friends & Family

Language of News Item:
English

For More Information Contact:
    Harmy Mendoza
    Woman Abuse Council of Toronto
    (t)416-944-9242 Ext 225
    (f)416-944-9753
    ed@womanabuse.ca
    http://www.womanabuse.ca

Location Information:
    Greater Toronto Area
    1652 Keele Street Unit 129
    (f)Toronto