Issued by the Coalition Against Violence
October 28, 2009Project Launched to
Remember Women Killed in Domestic Homicides
The Silent Witness Project, an initiative to remember
women who have been killed in domestic homicides, was
launched simultaneously today in Gander, Labrador and
St. John�s by the Newfoundland and Labrador Silent
Witness Committee.
The project�s purpose is to create awareness about
the nature and effects of domestic violence, and to
promote action to end all forms of violence in our
communities. The project consists of red, life-sized
wooden silhouettes, each representing a woman who was
killed by a partner, ex-partner or intimate
acquaintance. The silhouettes are called Silent
Witnesses as the women they represent no longer have
a chance to speak for themselves.
Spousal homicides account for about one in five
homicides in Canada. Almost 80 per cent of women in
Newfoundland and Labrador who experience violence are
most likely to be victimized by a spouse, ex-partner or
ex-common-law spouse. In the past 20 years, more than 20
women have been killed in a domestic homicide in
Newfoundland and Labrador.
Janet O�Donnell, of Libra House in Happy Valley-Goose
Bay, warned that the most dangerous time for a woman and
her children is during separation. "Fear is the biggest
reason that ties a woman to an abusive relationship. She
is afraid that if she leaves, the abuser will hurt her
and her children." O�Donnell added that a woman should
seek safety when leaving, in a place that is secure or
not known to her abuser.
"It is up to all of us to see that no more women die
at the hands of their partners and ex-partners," said
Linda Ross, President of the Provincial Advisory Council
on the Status of Women. "We � women, men, youth and
children - have to be involved in stopping attitudes
that treat women as less than equal and that allow
domestic violence to continue. We need to take that
extra step to act when we suspect abuse in the home of
someone we know."
The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible
for the Status of Women, referred to the campaign to
prevent male violence against women that was recently
launched by the province�s Violence Prevention
Initiative. "Violence is rooted in inequality and the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador understands this
factor as one of the main causes of violence against
women and other vulnerable populations," said Minister
Dunderdale. "Through our latest campaign, we are
encouraging men to teach the young boys in their lives
to treat women with fairness, equality and respect. I
call upon the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to
play a role in ending all forms of violence against
women."
"Men�s involvement is necessary in ending violence
against women," adds Costa Kasimos, Executive Director
of Planned Parenthood � NL Sexual Health Centre. "Many
see it as a women�s issue, when in fact, it�s a matter
that affects us all � the woman, the man who is abusive,
relatives, friends, neighbours, teachers, employers, and
the health care system. It especially affects children
who witness violent behaviour in their homes."
In his book "War On Women," Brian Vallee
quotes Andrew Klein in a report to the House of
Representatives: "Domestic violence is not about
relationships � It is about abusers and their use of
violence� Abusers do not strike their partners because
they are out of control. They strike their partners to
maintain control over them; humiliate and debase them;
isolate them; or punish them for asserting their
independence."
The launch profiled several Newfoundland and Labrador
women who have been murdered in the last 20 years, and
was organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Silent
Witness Committee.
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