- The 16 Days of Activism Campaign (Nov. 25 – Dec. 10) raises awareness about gender-based violence and advocates for its end. The days that are commemorated are:
- November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
- November 29: International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
- December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
- December 10: International Human Rights Day
- Purple ribbons were distributed at our November general meeting to be worn on jackets or attached to purses to show support for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The color purple represents peace, courage, survival, and honours women who have experienced violence. Thank you, Elena DiBattista, for purchasing and preparing the ribbons, pins, and tags.
Many club members wore purple and participated in the VOICES EMPOWER Walk to Break the Silence on Saturday, November 22. It was wonderful to support the Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and help raise money for Anselma House and Haven House.
Janice Reiner prepared two handouts for our November general meeting:
Active Bystander Strategies (The 5Ds)
A person becomes an active bystander when they see an event or situation which is problematic, inappropriate, or harmful, and intervenes either directly or indirectly. We all have the potential to be active bystanders.
Local community partners emphasize the 5D Active Bystander Model for safe intervention when witnessing problematic or harmful situations:
1) Distract: Interrupt the situation indirectly. This could involve spilling a drink "accidentally," asking the person causing harm an unrelated question, or creating a commotion to break the flow of potential harm.
2) Delegate: Ask for help from a third party or someone in a position of authority, such as a store manager, bouncer, or bus driver. You can also ask others nearby to assist, as there is safety in numbers.
3) Document: Record the incident with video, audio, or notes, but only if safe to do so. Always ask the person being harmed what they want done with the documentation before posting or sharing it, as a lack of consent can cause further harm.
4) Direct: Directly respond to the harm by naming it (e.g., "That's not okay" or "Leave them alone") or showing disapproval with body language (frowning, crossing arms). Assess the situation for safety first, as direct intervention can sometimes escalate the situation.
5) Delay: Check in with the person who experienced the harm after the incident. Offer support, acknowledge that it was not their fault, and help them find resources. This can prevent self-blame and reduce trauma.
The primary principle is to prioritize your own safety and the safety of others. There is a difference between feeling uncomfortable and feeling unsafe; trust your instincts.
Hand Signal for Help
Reports:
“Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic in Ontario”, Ontario Council Speaker Event, Sat., Oct. 25 via Zoom was attended by club members Anne Strickland, Lisa Warmerdam, and Susan Vecchiarelli. MPP Kristy Wong-Tam explained the history of Bill 55, Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2025 (formerly Bill 173), how it failed to be passed three times last year, and the current status. For more information and to sign a petition supporting Bill 55, click here. Author and podcaster, Fartumo Kusow, told the story of her daughter’s murder by her former partner.
“Creating Collective Impact Against Gender-Based Violence”, CFUW National first of three webinars, November 14 via Zoom, was attended by Lisa Warmerdam and Susan Vecchiarelli. This introductory session provided information and discussion about how our clubs can work collaboratively with community partners. Session 2 will be held Jan. 15. Please contact Susan Vecchiarelli (msvecchiarelli@rogers.com) if interested in registering.
Upcoming Webinar: Sat., Feb. 21, 2026, Critical Thinking & Artificial Intelligence
