Breaking free from the grip of an abusive partner is often far from easy for a victim of domestic and family violence. Very often, the perpetrator controls the whereabouts, communications, dating and finances of his victim, which makes escape all the more difficult. Not to mention the fear of being subjected to even worse violence, even of being killed or of seeing your children being killed.
Unfortunately, these fears are often well founded. Since the start of the year, 17 women have been killed in a context of domestic violence in Quebec. There have been as many femicides in a few months as there are normally in a year. Each victim is one too many victims. These women are not statistics, they are daughters, mothers, sisters, friends, colleagues, human beings.
Fighting violence against women means breaking down all systemic barriers to their full emancipation. In order for them to be able to break with the cycle of violence from which they suffer the dramatic consequences, it is imperative and as soon as possible to intervene so that no one risks losing their income to protect their physical integrity.
If we do not end domestic violence, we are calling on the government to take concrete support measures and change the laws. We are therefore asking for ten days of paid leave for victims of domestic violence to help them get out of it. It is a deeply human gesture of compassion and mutual aid. And above all, it would help save lives. Already, the federal government and some private companies offer such leave to their staff. Quebec must act.
Protecting and helping victims is the responsibility of everyone, including employers. This measure and other measures could also be incorporated into the Act respecting occupational health and safety or the Act respecting labor standards.
We ask the government to quickly find solutions in this direction. Being sensitive to the situation of victims is good, but taking action is better.
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* Signatories:
Line Lamarre, President of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec
Jessica Bourque, Second Vice-President and Policy Officer for the Status of Women of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec
Stéphanie Boulay, singer-songwriter
Rachel Chagnon, Professor in the Department of Legal Sciences of the Faculty of Political Science and Law of the University of Quebec in Montreal
Christian Daigle, General President of the Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec (SFPQ)
Shirley Dorismond, Vice-President of the Status of Women Sector at the Interprofessional Health Federation of Quebec (FIQ)
Mélanie Ederer, President of the Quebec Women’s Federation
Ingrid Falaise, actress and author
Josée Fréchette, First Vice-President of the Alliance of Professional and Technical Personnel in Health and Social Services (APTS)
Louise Harel, former Member of Parliament and former Minister
Danièle Henkel, founder of Entreprises Danièle Henkel
Véronique Hivon, Member of Parliament for Joliette
Isabelle Huot, doctor in nutrition
Laurence Jalbert, singer-songwriter
Hélène Langevin, General Manager of the Simonne-Monet-Chartrand Shelter
Simon Lapierre, Full Professor and Head of Undergraduate Studies at the School of Social Work at the University of Ottawa
François Laporte, President of Teamsters Canada
Geneviève Lessard, Director of Applied and Interdisciplinary Research on Intimate, Family and Structural Violence (RAIV)
Marlihan Lopez, co-vice-president of the Fédération des femmes du Québec
Manon Massé, Member of Parliament for Sainte-Marie – Saint-Jacques
Nathalie Morel, Vice-President for Professional Life and Policy Officer for the Status of Women at the Autonomous Federation of Education
Méganne Perry-Mélançon, Member of Parliament for Gaspé
Women’s work action
Alliance MH2
Feminist Association for Education and Social Action (AFEAS)
Central of Democratic Trade Unions
Coalition of LGBT + Families
Collective for a Quebec without poverty
Intervention council for women’s access to work
FTQ Metropolitan Montreal Regional Council
Women, Politics and Democracy Group
Sexplays
Popular education and community action movement in Quebec
Regrouping of homes for women victims of domestic violence
Quebec group of centers for assistance and the fight against sexual assault (RQCALACS)
Relay-women
Network of regional tables of women’s groups in Quebec
Quebec Action Network for Women’s Health
Violence Info
Rape Relief
Montreal Women’s Y