‘Remember the victims’: Tree of Hope shines a light on local femicides and intimate partner violence

The Tree of Hope was lit on Monday night to mark the 16th annual Shine the Light on Woman Abuse Campaign.

The Tree of Hope was lit in purple to mark the 16^th Annual Shine the Light on Woman Abuse Campaign in London.

The public awareness campaign is run by the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC), and aims to shift the shame abused women might feel to the perpetrators of abuse.

This year’s campaign commemorates the memory of honourees Tiffany Gates and Caitlin Jennings, London women who were killed by acts of intimate partner violence.

“Tiffany was murdered. And no, I’m not the same. I’m never going to be the same,” a tearful Linda Davidson told attendees about losing her daughter to femicide. “You don’t know what it’s like to have a child taken from you. And I hope you never, ever do. This has got to stop!”

Caitlin Jennings’ father Dan shared his tragedy, “Remember the victims, my daughter being one of them, but this is not just about people that have died. It’s about the people still going through the mental abuse, the physical abuse, the coercive control.”

Executive Director Jennifer Dunn said LAWC has had over 10,000 service interactions in the last year, including over 4,700 calls for individual counselling, group and urgent support service interactions.

There have also been 5,600 calls for service and support.

Those figures include 260 women who had been trafficked or were at risk of being trafficked, and over 850 women who were abused by intimate partners.

“Women need to know they are not alone. Women need to know they have a community and support behind them,” Dunn said.

The Tree of Hope in Victoria Park and local buildings will be lit in purple throughout the month of November.

Special events this year include an online 50/50 draw, a Trivia Night on Nov. 27th at Anderson Craft Ales, as well as the Shine the Light Market at Centennial Hall as part of the observance of Wear Purple Day on Nov. 15th.