Giant white ribbon lights up SQ headquarters for 12 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women

Sûreté du Québec has lit up its headquarters with a five-story-high white ribbon and the SOS Violence Conjugale logo to mark the start of the 12 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women.

“The white ribbon is the symbol for the 12 days of activism against violence against women. We wear it to remember women who were murdered. It’s also a sign of activism that we take a part in ending violence against women,” said Claudine Thibaudeau, a social worker with SOS Violence Conjugale.

The projection comes ahead of the December 6 anniversary of the Polytechnique massacre, which killed 14 women in 1989.

“In our last year, our last full year, we received over 60,000 calls at SOS, and about 20,000 of those were people requesting shelter services. So it’s a high number. It’s been rising since the pandemic, and we struggle to answer that,” said Thibaudeau.

Geneviève Fournier, Vice President of Marketing & Communications of Fonds de Solidarité FTQ, says, “What’s really important is educating young people and talking to them, because often we don’t even realize something is domestic violence when it actually is. So, to intervene better, we need to keep the conversation going and raise a lot of awareness.”

Thibaudeau adds, “We also need to take care about post-separation violence, which is a very big concern because people often think that you’re going to separate and that’s going to be it. But post-separation violence is extremely frequent. In most situations, it takes maybe a few years sometimes to really have safety.”

In 2025, 15 women were killed in Quebec, with nine in the context of intimate partner or post-separation violence. On Wednesday, the Sûreté du Québec and police forces will launch their 4th province-wide operation to prevent intimate partner violence.

“The Sûreté du Québec is proud to partner with SOS Violence Conjugale for the projection of the white ribbon on the façade of our Headquarters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the police officers and civilians who work daily to combat intimate partner violence. This includes our frontline patrol officers and our investigative teams, as well as our prevention services, which work in partnership with community organizations,” said Johanne Beausoleil, the Director General of the Sûreté du Québec.

The light display will be visible each night from Nov. 24 until Dec. 6, reminding all that the fight against domestic violence relies on solidarity and collective responsibility.

“This projection symbolizes the light we want to shine for all those affected by domestic violence. It also illustrates the mobilization of many stakeholders—from the community, institutional, and governmental sectors, as well as the private sector—around a common cause: the safety and respect of women who are victims of domestic violence,” said Jocelyne Jolin, the Director of SOS Violence Conjugale.

This goes along with the National Coordinated Operation on Intimate Partner Violence that will take place on Nov. 26.

“More than 40 police services and 236 activities will take place across the province. Most awareness points will be outdoors because we really want to meet people where they are, but some will be indoors as information booths. Police officers, shelter workers, prosecutors, and lawyers from Rebâtir will be there to provide information and answer questions. We’ll also hand out SOS Violence Conjugale service sheets — and every year, we hear stories about how that sheet has changed lives,” said Caroline Girard, the provincial coordinator for Sûreté du Québec.

Caroline Proulx, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, says, “Women and girls remain the primary victims of sexual and domestic violence; the statistics tell us so. Let’s take advantage of the Days of Action Against Violence Against Women to work on raising awareness in our community. I also encourage citizens to get informed, mobilize, and participate in activities in their communities. It is together that we will best contribute to ending this violence, by positioning ourselves as allies in the fight.”

Janie Béïque, President and CEO of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, adds, “The fight against domestic violence is everyone’s business. Together, we have a duty to transform hope into concrete actions to build a society where respect and safety are not privileges, but fundamental rights. This is how we move toward a more just society.”

Support is available for those suffering from domestic violence. If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, call SOS Violence Conjugale at 1 800 363-9010, text 438 601-1211 or visit their website.

If you fear you may become violent towards your partner, call PRO-GAM for an appointment at 514 270 8462.

“You don’t have to be sure that you’re a victim of intimate partner violence before you call us or before you explore our online tools, for example, or come and chat with us. We’re basically here to help someone take a step back and look at what’s worrisome in the relationship and explore if it’s normal or maybe if it’s violence,” said Thibaudeau.