By Pepper Parr
April 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
They can be looked upon as photo ops, elected officials getting their picture taken – helps keep then in the public eye.
From time to time there is a photo op that is also a statement; a drawing to the attention of the public an issue that certainly isn’t pleasant to think about – but is important and needs to be addressed: Violence Against Women.
Burlington MP’s Karina Gould and Pam Damoff helping get the story out: Violence Against Woman has to be stopped.
There isn’t a day that goes by that a woman is abused, struck or diminished and has to seek shelter.
Adan van Koeverden said recently, is as he stood wearing a pair of pink high heal shoes that: “Being an effective male ally in combating Gender Based Violence requires us to acknowledge something and articulate it clearly. The prevailing issue is men’s violence against women. Terms like “gender based” and “domestic” violence may be more acceptable, but the onus is on men.
“Men need to talk to one another, commit to being better ourselves, act like an ambassador for change and actively listen to women, survivors and those working in the sector for practical solutions to ending men’s violence against women and children.”
van Koeverden spoke at a reception organized by the Halton Women’s Place and the Women’s Centre of Milton/Halton for their work in organizing today’s reception, “adding it was a privilege to “walk a mile” in your shoes today – though it was considerably less than a mile this time.
There are many who see the issue as “spousal abuse” regardless of gender and indeed inclusive of same sex partners. However, until our government gets on side with it is a spousal abuse issue, that equally affects all victims, nothing is going to change. The police do have the right idea with the investigation department name “intimate partner violence” . We actually saw our pro bono advocacy services of the past utilized by more men than women although equally accessible and available to both.