The day of March 8 is an opportunity to emphasize the fundamental rights of women, to reflect on the status of women and the efforts devoted to raising awareness as well as to preventing the different forms of violence against women, but also to take stock of the progress made and the work that still remains to be done.
In Quebec, over the past year, 14 feminicides and 6 filicides took place in a context of domestic violence and post-separation domestic violence.
As a help and support resource for victims of domestic violence, La Dauphinelle ensures, through its daily work, that all these lost lives do not become just a simple statistic. Our first and second stage housing services help victims rebuild, find a safe place to live and regain control over their lives. Our post-residential services make it possible to offer concrete follow-up in the community. Our external and prevention services not only make it possible to raise awareness among all these women who do not name their situation for fear of judgment or who ask themselves questions, without finding answers, but also to reach them.
In Quebec, considerable political, social and community efforts have been devoted in recent years to preventing violence against women, raising public awareness and, above all, increasing victims’ confidence in the system. of righteousness. The report Rebuilding Trust, tabled in December 2020 by the Committee of Experts on Support for Victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, recommended the establishment of specialized courts, the establishment of crisis cells in all regions du Québec and increased funding for shelters.
It also recommended developing second-stage services by increasing the number of safe transitional apartments for victims of domestic violence. We strongly encourage the continuity of these policies and initiatives, because we are still far from achieving the objective of being able to support all the victims who call on our services.
On this March 8, we cannot help but think of the women and mothers fleeing their country to find safety in Canada. Whether they arrive on Canadian soil by plane or take Roxham Road with the aim of integrating into Quebec society, poverty, the very high cost of living and the housing crisis are all factors that expose them to situations of serious violence, their precarious immigrant status making them more vulnerable. These women will make choices to survive and will put themselves in danger with “spouses” who will take advantage of their situation. This is the case for several women welcomed at La Dauphinelle over the past year, most of whom are mothers of young children.
Let us conduct a rigorous analysis of their application for status in Quebec, but in the meantime, let us treat these women with dignity by giving them a work visa quickly, by simplifying access to medical care, by allowing their children to attend daycare and, most importantly, by processing their application for status in a timely manner.
In the meantime, we intend to continue our daily work and perform small miracles so that the very precarious situation of these women and children does not deteriorate further.