Violence against women and children the focus of Chilliwack event

CHILLIWACK — On May 16th, 2023, an important event titled “Women’s Equity and a Link to Femicides in BC” brought advocates from across B.C. together to discuss issues of gender-based violence and call for the need for increased support for women’s shelters. The event was called “Women’s Equity and a Link to Femicides in BC”. It was held Wednesday (May 17) in partnership with the Ann Davis Society and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), coinciding with “Victims and Survivors of Crime Week” in BC.

The event at the UFV Chilliwack campus, featured a lineup of speakers, including Kelli Paddon, MLA Chilliwack-Kent and Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity; Gail Jones, BC Program Manager for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; Amy Fitzgerald, Executive Director for BC Society of Transition Houses; and Dr. Amanda McCormick, Associate Professor and Researcher at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Several key messages were delivered during the event. It was revealed that domestic violence in BC had risen by a staggering 37% in the previous year. The issue of femicides was also highlighted, with reported cases increasing from 12 in 2021 to 29 in 2022, as documented by the National Observatory on Femicides.

Another significant concern addressed was the lack of federal government funding for Transition Houses and Women and Children’s Shelters across the country. Non-profit organizations providing these vital support services are struggling due to inadequate financial support.