YWCA to hold candlelight vigil

To honour the lives of the 14 women who died at École Politechnique on Dec. 6, 1989 and to underline the importance of speaking out against violence the YWCA Genevra House invites the public to a candlelight vigil this Thursday.

 "This is a day for individuals and communities to reflect on what we can do to reduce all forms of violence against women and children" says Colette Prevost the executive director of the organization.

Participants are welcomed to attend the outdoor celebration from 12:30 to 1:15 pm at 370 St. Raphael St.
Warm beverages will be served following a brief presentation and the lighting of candles. 

According to statistics supplied by the Ontario Provincial Police, seven percent of Ontario women living in a common-law or marital relationship experienced physical/sexual assault by a spousal partner at least once during the period of 1999-2004.

There have been approximately 25 female victims of spousal homicide each year in Ontario from 1975-2004.

Almost 40 percent of women assaulted by spouses said their children witnessed the violence against them, and in many cases the violence was severe.

Between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2006, nearly 106,000 women and children were admitted to shelters throughout the country.

In most cases these women and their children accessed emergency shelters in order to be safe from the violence they experienced at the hands of their intimate partners.