As a content warning, please note that this webpage includes information about gender-based violence and sexual violence.
We understand that this can trigger strong reactions and we encourage the community to connect with Carleton University’s Sexual Assault Support Centre and/or Health and Counselling Services for support.
Additional community supports can also be found here and at the bottom of this webpage.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023, marks thirty-four years since fourteen women were murdered & thirteen were injured by a gunman at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). We are still reckoning with Canadian and global realities of gender-based violence, femicide, and misogyny.
We continue to teach and learn about the persistent systemic barriers that marginalize and oppress individuals and groups based on their gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, religion and intersecting identities. Feminist pedagogy, research, and community engagement are integral to challenge existing power structures within educational frameworks, fostering critical thinking, and empowering students to question societal norms and inequities. Learning environments must value diverse perspectives. By amplifying marginalized voices and experiences, we strive to produce knowledge that informs policies, practices, and interventions to dismantle systemic barriers and advance social transformation.
The recent violence in a University of Waterloo gender studies classroom serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of solidarity, safety, and respect. The persistence of injustice requires continued dedication, resilience, and collective action. The Feminist Institute of Social Transformation at Carleton University remains steadfast in our commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
**Carleton University has support for survivors of sexual violence through Equity and Inclusive Communities (EIC). You can access free and confidential support via web or text message with the new Carleton University Sexual Assault Support Chat Service. For immediate crisis support, you can contact the Ottawa Distress Centre at 613-238-3311 or the Sexual Assault Centre of Ottawa at 613-234-2266.
In the Ottawa community, several organizations are dedicated to advocating for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. Here are a few with their respective websites:
- Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) – OCTEVAW is a coalition of organizations and individuals working together to end violence against women. They engage in advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and community initiatives to address gender-based violence. Website: OCTEVAW
- City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) – CAWI works to ensure that the issues that impact women, girls and gender-diverse people from diverse backgrounds are systematically considered in city decision-making. Website: CAWI
- Cornerstone – Cornerstone Housing for Women provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, and various programs for women who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness due to gender-based violence. They offer a safe haven and support services for women in need, including counseling, advocacy, and transitional housing. Website: Cornerstone Ottawa
- Harmony House – This organization bridges the gap between crisis living (in an emergency shelter) and working through trauma to live independently in the community. Website: Harmony House
- Minwaashin Lodge: This organization offers culturally relevant programs and services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women and children who have experienced domestic and other forms of violence. They provide support, counseling, advocacy, and cultural programming. Website: Minwaashin Lodge
- Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC) – SASC provides support, crisis intervention, counseling, and advocacy services to survivors of sexual violence. They also offer public education programs and workshops. Website: SASC Ottawa
- Interval House of Ottawa – This organization provides emergency shelter and support services for women and their children fleeing intimate partner violence. They offer counseling, safety planning, and transitional support. Website: Interval House of Ottawa
- Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre – ORCC offers support services, crisis intervention, counseling, and resources for survivors of sexual violence. They also provide education and training aimed at preventing sexual violence. Website: ORCC
- The Assaulted Women’s Helpline: Provides 24/7 telephone support and crisis intervention for women experiencing abuse. Website: Assaulted Women’s Helpline
- Women’s Shelters Canada: This organization represents shelters and transition houses across Canada, providing resources and advocating for policies to end violence against women. Website: Women’s Shelters Canada
- YWCA Canada: YWCA Canada focuses on empowering women and girls, providing services, advocacy, and support to survivors of violence. Website: YWCA Canada
- Canadian Women’s Foundation: A national organization that supports women’s shelters, violence prevention programs, and initiatives addressing gender-based violence. Website: Canadian Women’s Foundation
These organizations offer various services, including crisis support, counseling, advocacy, and resources for those affected by gender-based violence in the Ottawa area.