Group hopes to address the legislature on Dec. 6 to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
A group consisting of survivors of violence against women hope the record number of women elected to the New Brunswick legislature delivers more attention to often unheard voices in the province.
Three women, identifying themselves as Survivors United Against Violence, issued a press release noting the potential benefits of more female voices in government. The women, Shara Sherman, Roxane McCarthy and Collette Martin, all survivors of violence, dedicate time and effort to fight for survivors and raise attention to the ongoing plight of violence.
Sherman is the founder and CEO of We’re Here For You Canada, which she launched in the Woodstock area three years ago. The non-profit, which provides comfort kits to victims of violence, has expanded across New Brunswick and beyond.
McCarthy is the board chair for N.B. Social Pediatrics, a non-profit working within Horizon Health and academic institutions to provide clinicians and researchers devoted to improving the health and wellness of children and families.
Martin is an active advocate against domestic violence who fought for more than two decades for Bill C-17, the Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act. The bill authorizes police to inform someone that their intimate partner has a history of violence.
In a joint press release, the three women expressed their hope that an increased number of female legislators would lead to a more excellent voice for women.
“As women and survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence, we are heartened by the record number of women recently elected to the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, including our first woman Premier Elect, Susan Holt,” they noted in the release. “We believe now is the time to address gender-based violence in our province.”]
The women expressed hope the improved gender balance would lead to a strong call to action against violence against women, gender-diverse individuals, and underrepresented groups.
“Our mission as Survivors United Against Violence is to raise our voices and advocate for changes that will improve the lives of victims and survivors,” they explained in the release. “We are three women who are both advocates and survivors, committed to raising awareness, sharing our stories, and reminding others: ‘You Are Not Alone!’”
An essential aspect of the joint press release was to make a public request to address the legislature on Dec. 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
“We believe this day, which commemorates the Montreal Massacre at Polytechnique Montreal, is a meaningful occasion to discuss how we hope the new cabinet and Women’s Equality Minister will act with urgency and unity on these critical issues,” they wrote in the press release. “As survivors who have endured traumatic experiences and found the strength to recover, we are often triggered by stories of violence that continue to emerge in our province.”
The woman explained their advocacy extends to raising awareness about intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking, especially recognizing that women in rural communities are at heightened risk, with Indigenous women and girls facing even greater danger.
“We know, from our lived experiences and our conversations with the public, that we are not alone in wanting to create change,” they noted in the release. “ We believe that one way to start this, is to complete the approval of enacting “Bill C-17” that Colette Martin, Survivor – presented to the legislature in December 2022. There is no more time to wait.”
