Local 1000A members at Stuart Parker’s Your Independent Grocer in North Bay took part in a ‘Silent Stand-In’ at their store on December 6 to raise awareness and help end violence against women.
Along with handing out White Ribbons and informational cards, members, family and friends also held up posters showing statistical details to educate the public on the reality of violence against women in Canada.
The statistics are sobering. The Canadian Women’s Foundation reports that “67% of all Canadians say they personally know at least one woman who has been sexually or physically assaulted.” Every six days on average, the foundation notes that “a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner.”
“This year, was our first, but it will not be our last,” said Cathy Watson, Chair of WIN Region #6-North and organizer of the event. “We will be back, standing in larger groups, with stronger and more powerful voices. We will be as loud as we need to be in order to be heard and to let others know that violence against women is Not Okay,” said Watson.
Watson thanked all those who supported and/or participated in this initiative, including Local 1000A President Pearl Sawyer and store owner Stuart Parker.
"Even in this day and age, abuse is a dirty little secret, and it shouldn't be," said Watson. "We need to scream it from the tops of buildings, it's Not Okay."
