Twenty-five years after the Montreal Massacre, three Edmonton students have created a video to counter the high level of violence against women in Alberta.
“If you are not a direct person who has experienced it, someone around you (has),” said Grade 12 student Lauren Smiley.
“It’s not something you can escape anywhere you go. “
Last year, emergency women’s shelters in Alberta served over 7500 women.
She said that, coupled with Edmonton having one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country, prompted her and two classmates to make the video together to mark Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6.
The short video shows a realistic depiction of a domestic violence situation between a husband and wife.
Samantha Mann, who also helped create the video, said it is up to their generation to stop violence.
“Take the message and stop violence against women, because it’s not okay to let this happen anymore and I think it should stop all together,” she said.
Jackie Foord, CEO of the Edmonton YWCA, applauded the video.
She said that violence against women is widespread in the province, but that it’s an issue that needs greater attention if there is any hope of dealing with it.
“It’s almost an invisible epidemic. There are so many women in this province and in this city today who will experience violence. But we don’t talk about it,” she said.
“They may seek help, they may not seek help. They may lose their lives.”
The YWCA has launched the Rose Campaign to coincide with December 6 — the goal is to raises funds to help women get out of violent living situations. She hopes that the memory of what happened a quarter-century ago will force people to confront the violence that is still happening today.
“It’s a reminder that that day was horrific. But it also reminds us that everyday … we’re dealing with women and children who were torn apart by violence.”
