George Brown College marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Today we observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a day to remember people who experience gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it.

This national observance was established after the anti-feminist attack at Montreal's École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989, when 14 students were killed and several others were severely injured. The victims were aspiring engineers, targeted because they were women studying in what was then a field occupied predominantly by men. Today marks the 35th anniversary of the attack.

December 6 is a day of remembrance and a call to action to end all forms of gender-based violence, including the ongoing epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.

On December 4, George Brown community members came together to honour victims of gender-based violence. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to faculty, employees and students from the Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate program who organized this event with support from the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services (OAREHRS), Black Futures Initiatives, Indigenous Initiatives, the Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Response team and the Community Care Centre. Thank you to the OAREHRS team, who organized community events and resources for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Fostering an inclusive environment

Everyone at George Brown is responsible for fostering an inclusive college community that is free of harassment and discrimination – an environment where all women, trans, and gender non-binary individuals can learn and contribute as their full selves.

College policies and actions implemented to combat gender-based violence are part of a larger framework that includes our Anti-Racism Strategy and Action Plan and response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action.

If you need support

If you experience or witness gender-based, sexual violence, discrimination or harassment, OAREHRS is here to help. Please contact a Sexual and Gender-based Violence Response Advisor at svra@georgebrown.ca. For public safety and security, please contact the security emergency line at 416-415-4000, or press 0 from a George Brown College internal phone line. The emergency text number 416-723-4761.

Important work has been done and is underway at George Brown but let us remember there is considerable work still to be done to ensure we maintain a safe and inclusive college community free of gender-based violence.

Jennifer Grant
Associate Vice-President, Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services

Dr. Gervan Fearon
President