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To all victims of any kind of abusive relationships, don’t be afraid to speak up and seek help before it is too late. To those who have friends or family members who have been in abusive relationships, before you do anything, try to understand the pain that the victims go through and the effects it has on them. It is easy to blame the victims for being with the abuser. The hardest part is not necessarily the violence, but the emotional distress such as self-blame and moral dilemma. This dance video follows the emotional journey of an abuse surviver. While she is being abused, she feels not only the physical pain, but frustration for being so helpless. She finally stands up for herself with her friends’ help and confronts the abuser. But when she becomes alone, the pain and loneliness come back and sweep over her. Then the abuser comes back, apologizing for what he has done and begging her for one more chance. He talks so sincerely that her determination starts to waver. She wonders what the right thing to do is. The abuse itself has ended, but it continues to affect her life. Hope this video helps raise the awareness of domestic abuse and encourages the victims to speak up.

Special thanks to: Alexa Zigon, Alexis Raphael, Blake Crawford, Gloria Digby, Jared Brown, Jessica Rosales, Mitchell Bruce, Olivia Ouzounis, and Sabrina Merks

LINK TO KINGSTON HERITAGE ARTICLE FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2017

The Kingston Anti-Violence Advisory Council is hosting a speakers event in an effort to grow its volunteers who are committed to eradicate violence against women.

Working with survivor engagement, the council gives presentations, appears at public events and works to improve services for women who have been affected by violence. The council is looking for survivors of domestic violence to share their stories in order to help others.
“The benefits of joining are that they would have a voice, would be able to help and would be doing something for their community, which also promotes healing,” Jean Quinn, chair of the council, said in an email to the Whig-Standard

To showcase its work, the council is hosting an event on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kingston Police Headquarters at 705 Division St. The day will include multiple speakers, including Nneka MacGregor, executive director of the Women’s Centre for Social Justice.

THE KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD, JANUARY 12, 2018

Would you like to use your experience and expertise as a survivor of partner abuse and/or sexual violence by helping inform services and policies? Come and find out what KAVAC is all about.

January 27th, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Kingston Police Station, 705 Division St., Kingston

Guest Speaker: Nneka McGregor

Engaging speakers. Working groups. Prizes. Refreshments will be provided for the day. Come! Make a difference to your community by helping others! For registration or more information contact Jean Quinn, 613-572-2589.

Twenty eight years ago, 1989, 14 women were murdered at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, known as the Montreal Massacre. There will be a candle light vigil on Wednesday December 6th at 5:00pm at Sydenham Street United Church to commemorate the lives of those women.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE

Kingston Heritage
By Tori Stafford
Nov 30, 2016
Events – It’s been 27 years since the Montreal Massacre saw 14 young women murdered at l’Ècole Polytechnique de Montreal, but remembering the events of that day and what caused them is still as important as ever.

“It’s important to say ‘This is still happening.’ That was 1989, this is 2016, and we’re still having all of these women who have lost their lives to violence,” said Jeannie Quinn, chair of the Kingston Anti-Violence Advisory Council.

“It’s not just the women at Polytechnique that we’re commemorating. We’re commemorating all other women, recent women, that have lost their lives, too.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the Anti-Violence Advisory Council will host the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Vigil, commemorating those lives lost in the Montreal Massacre as well as those women locally and across Ontario killed through gender-based violence. The event also aims to raise awareness of the prevalence of violence against women, while offering solace and support for those who have survived gender-based violence, as well.

The vigil will include a series of speakers discussing the issue and the action needed to combat it before a candlelit commemoration and rose-laying ceremony. During that ceremony, the names of the 14 women killed in the Montreal Massacre are read aloud by attendees who each blow out their candle after commemorating one of those lost. This is followed by the reading of names of women throughout Ontario and here in Kingston who have also been killed through gender-based violence in recent history. As the names are read and the candles snuffed out, a rose is laid to commemorate each woman. The lives of those indigenous women lost on the Highway of Tears will also be commemorated, and The Caledonias, an all-female a cappella choir from Queen’s University will perform during the ceremony. It is a moving and sometimes difficult ceremony to take in, Quinn expressed, which is why the Anti-Violence Advisory Council provides a self-care area for anyone who may be triggered or become upset during the event, and childcare is also provided on site.

“Last year was the first year I went to the vigil, and I was just blown away. It was so heart-wrenching,” said Quinn.

“The candlelight and then having the names read and putting the rose down to commemorate that particular women… it really hits home that this is really happening all the time.”

With approximately one in three women experiencing gender- or relationship-based violence in their lifetime, the issue of violence against women is one both men and women need to take action against, Quinn expressed, and all are welcomed and encouraged to attend the vigil.

“It’s only two hours, so it’s just a short time out of your life to go and give a few minutes to these women that we’ve lost,” said Quinn.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Vigil will take place at HARS, 844a Princess St., beginning at 4:30 p.m.