Montrealers march for victims of domestic violence, femicides
Posted October 22, 2022 9:46 am.
Last Updated October 22, 2022 6:53 pm.
Warning: some readers may find some parts of this story disturbing.
If you need help, reach out. Call SOS violence conjugale 24/7 at 1-800-363-9010.
If you fear you may become violent towards your partner, call PRO-GAM for an appointment at 514-270-8462.
Montrealers marched in solidarity with victims of domestic violence and femicides Saturday.
The citizen-initiative led by survivors of domestic violence took place at Place du Canada.
“Violence conjugale is everywhere, it can be a sister, your neighbour, your mother, your daughter,” said march organizer Christine Groulx, a victim of domestic violence.
“I want to stop to say femicides, because we have to talk about murder. It’s murder. The women, dead like some flies in the summer. It’s very crazy, that has to stop.”
Nineteen deaths are linked to domestic violence in Quebec this year: 12 women, six children, and one male partner.
That 12th femicide took place last Wednesday. An 82-year-old man was charged in the killing of his 90-year-old partner Annie Di Lauro at a seniors’ residence.
“It’s too many women and too many children,” said Svetlana Chernienko, a mental health advocate and survivor of domestic violence. “I’ve been asking the government to stand up and change legislation.”
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Among the killings of six children in Quebec this year linked to domestic violence were a 11-year-old and 13-year-old killed Oct. 17 at a Laval home. Their father has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
In Brossard, Synthia Bussières and her two children – a five-year-old and a two-year-old – were killed in late September.
“I was somebody who was abducted by my abuser,” said Chernienko. “My son was almost murdered in front of me, almost thrown out of a window when he was a baby and I was almost murdered.”
“So this is a real situation and this is the reason why I share my story, because it happens, it’s real. And people need to understand I’m lucky to be alive. And that’s why I’m here to share my voice and spread my truth. Because I could have been one of those women. Those children could have been one of my children.”
Groulx did express some hope for the future.
“The sun is going to shine again. We don’t have to be discouraged,” she said.
Here’s what some Montrealers who attended Saturday’s rally had to say.
“We’re here today to defend women’s rights. We are survivors. We are fighters. And all we want is to be recognized and helped.”
“I’m a survivor of domestic violence, and it’s really important to speak more about it, to speak of the changes that need to be made.”
“The laws need to change. And very quickly, we don’t have the time, the victims have no time to wait.”
“When you’re ready, there’s a lot of people that are going to be there for you. They’re going to be there for you. No judgment. There’s a lot of help.”
