Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society (RWSS) marks National Days of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day with a series of events centred on bringing the community into the conversation around violence against women, children and gender minorities. Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, Revelstoke residents ages 14+ are invited to free yoga, dance, art therapy. The days close with a remembrance event on Dec. 6 to honour those lost to spousal abuse and gender violence.
Dec. 6 also marks the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre, the antifeminist massacre that happened in 1989 at the École Polytechnique de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec. Fourteen women were murdered, and another ten women and four men injured in what is now the second deadliest mass shooting event in Canada’s history.
RWSS notes that while their focus is on intimate partner violence, the École Polytechnique massacre remains a stark reminder in Canada’s memory of the violence against women, girls and gender minorities, a dark anchor for their National Days of Remembrance and Action
“Both topics, both forms of violence are misogyny,” Melyssa Hudson, RWSS’s clinical counsellor told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “Both are violence against women.”
Revelstoke Women’s Shelter is part of a network throughout B.C.’s Interior. Hudson notes stretched resources and spaces often means RWSS aids clients coming from as far as Trail, Kamloops and Golden to access the shelter beds and resources. RWSS hopes the week of events informs community members on how to access the resources available locally.
“For people who are coming from a place of fear and unsafety, the first problem is how do I get into a safe space,” Hudson said. “Not ‘who do I call for legal advice’? At the shelter they have a whole slew of support that they can provide for that transition.”
There will also be a community art piece showcasing actions that residents pledge to take in fighting gender-based violence, with the theme of the events being Speak the Unspoken.
“We’re going to be asking people at these events, ‘what’s your role, what part do you play as a community member’?” Hudson said. “Recognizing that as a community, we have to be informed on what we look for.”
The overall piece will help push conversations about the lesser known signs of abuse that victims and community members can keep an eye out for, Hudson explained, as well as what actions can be taken to protect community members.
“Getting people to think, ‘maybe I should call my friend and I asked her are you okay? Those simple things of how we intervene as a community,” Hudson said.
Hudson and RWSS hope the events not only show Revelstoke what resources the shelter and society offer but also highlight that violence prevention, in all its forms, cannot happen in a silo.
“Your job is not to save them,” Hudson explained. ”Your job is to say ‘I see you. Do you know that you can do these things, you can go here, you can talk to me, and you have all these other options.”
RWSS is inviting community members to share their stories of finding courage, surviving and escaping abuse. These stories will be shared anonymously at the Dec. 6 remembrance event. Stores can be submitted online.
“It’s to remind everyone that survivors can live lives of love and self-determination after leaving abuse,” RWSS said.
Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society’s National Days of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women events are free for participants 14+, age appropriate events for younger community members will be hosted through the school outreach program.
Monday, Nov. 27, 5:45 p.m. – Drop-in Yoga at Revelstoke Community Centre.
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 1 p.m. – Drop-in seniors chair Yoga at Revelstoke Community Centre.
Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. – Drop-in dance therapy workshop at Revelstoke Community Centre. Space is limited, come early to claim your spot.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. – Art therapy workshop at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Center. Space is limited, email [email protected] to reserve your spot.
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. – Art and music remembrance event at Conversations coffee house. An open mic moment will be available for participants to share their stories of surviving and countering gender based violence.
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