Archived News Articles
Mar 06, 2017
Research Explores Brain Injury in Women Exposed to Domestic Violence
A Kelowna couple is researching the prevalence of brain injuries in women who have experienced violence from an intimate partner. Together, they plan to explore how domestic violence injuries affect suOne challenge they confronted is that in most cases, there are no witnesses except the abuser and the victim. The pair will be using a questionnaire developed by a colleague at Harvard University researching similar topics to assess the brain function and symptoms of each participant in the study. But it relies solely on the women's recollection of events.
Jan 09, 2017
When men kill their partners, warning signs often missed
This article by The Star explores the worn template of intimate partner homicide and the warning signs that are often looked over, showing two cases in which partners were accused of assault and threatening that eventually led to murder down the line.
Dec 05, 2016
Tenancy act changes to protect domestic violence victims
This article by Metro News shows how "a legal advocacy organization is lauding changes to B.C.’s residential tenancy act that will permit victims of domestic violence to break a lease early, without financial penalty." They will need a third party to verify the risk, which cannot be contested by the landowner. This will also help tenants who need to move to long-term care before their lease ends.
Nov 02, 2016
Stanford sexual assault survivor named Glamour magazine ‘Woman of the Year’
This article by the National Post shares the powerful resilience of "Emily Doe" the survivor of assault by Brock Turner at Stanford. After the trial, and Turner's menial sentencing "Emily" received an outpouring of solidarity from people all around the world. She was name "Woman of the Year" in Glamour magazine, and in her essay for the magazine she writes about her experiences after the trial as well as the letter she received from American Vice-President, Joe Biden.
Oct 21, 2016
She Never Spoke of It to Her Husband. Then She Heard the Trump Tape.
This article by The New York Times explores how in the wake of the Trump presidential nominee and his degrading and sexist comments, couples are now having more open conversations about sexual assault and degradation. Women are opening up both about past trauma's in their lives as well as everyday experiences. This is pushing some couples closer together and having conversations about these realities, however it is also separating relationships when partners realize their differences in opinion in relation to women's rights.
Sep 02, 2016
Listen to Sexual Assault Survivors of Colour
This article from the HuffPost speaks to whose stories are being included in the conversations we're hearing publicly about sexual violence. Mainstream media has adopted the phrase "rape culture" -- used for decades by anti-sexual violence advocates -- to talk about the system of beliefs and attitudes that props up abusers while tearing down survivors of violence. This is, arguably, a turning point in the national conversation about sexual violence and gender-based violence in Canada. But which survivors' voices are being heard?
Sep 08, 2016
The fight to make the internet safe for women
This article from CBS News focuses on how activists, tech companies and law enforcement are navigating this new chapter in the (long) history of violence against women. The new challenge involves getting the public to see that online threats to women are serious, pervasive, and deserving of the same attention as other forms of violence.
Aug 25, 2016
Stop Erasing Sexual Violence Survivors With Disabilities
In this article from Huffpost Canada, femifesto interviewed two gender-based violence activists about their views regarding the changing landscape for disabled victims of sexual violence. The interview discusses challenges in mainstream media reporting, how best to create a culture of consent, portrayal of victims in the media, and the current prevalence of rape culture in mainstream media.
Jul 29, 2016
Filmmakers embrace ‘huge moral obligation’ to honour missing women’s stories in Unclaimed
This article from Metro Vancouver explains the complexities faced by filmmakers and actors working on the made-for-TV film, Unclaimed. The challenge of this film was to honour the women who were victims of Robert Pickton, without sensationalizing their murders. Actors, filmmakers, residents, indigenous people, and families of the victims collaborated to ensure the stories of the missing women were accurately represented in the film.
Jul 26, 2016
Vancouver's Costly Housing Means Women Can't Escape Abuse
Women fleeing abuse are often faced with many barriers such as lack of support, financial concerns, and an inability to find affordable housing. This article from Huffpost British Columbia explored the complexities of finding housing in Vancouver for victims leaving a violent relationship. Often, these individuals do not have access to their finances and must turn to shelters or transitional homes at the begining of their separation. An interview with a Vancouver resident who successfully left her abuser exemplifies the housing crisis Vancouver is currently facing.
Jul 18, 2016
It’s Time To Recognize What Many Mass Murderers Share In Common
This article by The Huffington Post shows the disturbing pattern of how mass murderers have previous history abusing and enacting violence on the vulnerable women in their lives. As well as how often this partner abuse will lead to the eventual murder of the victim. It explores the role of toxic masculinity as well as who the victim pool for mass shootings often is. More importantly it asks the question of why domestic violence is not taken more seriously when reported, and whether or not this plays a roll in the progression of crimes?
Jul 12, 2016
New unit to tackle domestic violence on the North Shore
This article from North Shore News highlights the relationships being developed between the Squamish Nation and the North Shore Domestic Violence Unit. The coordinating of various units hopes to increase convictions for perpetrators of relationship violence, and provide more effective service for victims and survivors.
Apr 28, 2016
73% of Canadian women and children who seek emergency shelter are turned away: survey
This article from Global News explains that women and children who are trying to access emergency shelter are often turned down due to a lack of space in these facilities. Concerns regarding a lack of affordable housing and the long-term implications of these issues are addressed.
Apr 26, 2016
UBC study finds psychedelic drugs may help curb domestic violence
This article from the Vancouver Sun discusses a recent study conducted by the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, which studied previously incarcerated males. The findings from this study indicated lower levels of violence among the men who had taken a psychedelic drug in moderate doses, when compared with those men who had not.
Apr 18, 2016
Group aims to break silence about sex for Tsleil-Waututh youth
Due to a history of sexual exploitation and abuse in residential schools among the Tsleil-Waututh community, CBC News finds many of the youth in this community have not receieved comprehensive sexual education. This article attributes the lack of communication about sex to pervasive intergenerational trauma.
Mar 24, 2016
Abuse survivors get help starting new life in B.C.
This article from the Vancouver Sun explains a new program implemented in BC - specifically for women fleeing domestic violence, and who hope to obtain employment once they have successfully left their abuser. This is a temporary, part-time program that aids female survivors of abuse in finding employment and being able to continue their lives free from abuse.