A community vigil was held on December 6 in Hawkesbury to commemorate the lives of women and children lost due to violence. Approximately 25 people attended the ceremony at the commemorative monument for women victims of violence in front of Town Hall.
The vigil was one of three organized by the Prescott-Russell Coalition to End Violence Against Women (PRCEVAW). It was a symbolic moment to remember the women and children who died at the hands of gender-based violence. Similar vigils were held at the Seniors’ Park in Casselman and Simon Park in Rockland.
The ceremonies took place on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which occurs annually on December 6 and pays respect to the 14 women killed on December 6, 1989, in Montréal during the massacre at École Polytechnique. The day also encourages individuals to demand stronger measures to protect women and ensure they can live in a safe and equal society.
Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre stated, “Every woman has the right to pursue their life’s goals. Let us stand together for respect and equality; let us make the difference.”
Since November 2023, Ontario has recorded 59 femicides. These murders left behind devastated families and shaken communities.
In Prescott-Russell, to date, there have been 11 women and three children who have died as a result of gender-based violence.
The PRCEVAW explained, “It is crucial to redouble our collective efforts to change this reality. We must continue to strengthen support networks, raise our voice to increase public awareness, and support survivors.”
The ceremony closed with the names of those lost being read aloud and volunteers from the community bringing different coloured roses to place at the commemorative monument. The roses represented the 14 victims of the 1989 massacre and the women and child victims in Prescott-Russell.
The PRCEVAW is a collective of local organizations within Prescott-Russell that actively attempt to influence and mobilize the community to eliminate violence against women. If someone is experiencing violence in their relationship or has any questions about what the collective does, they can visit their website at https://www.coalitionviolencepr.ca/en/.
