December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

In Canada, more than 50% of women will experience violence at some point in their lives, most before the age of 25. The rate of violence is disproportionately higher for women of colour, Indigenous women and girls, two-spirited people, gender non-conforming folks, women with disabilities, and LGBTQ people, especially trans women of colour.

On campus, it is estimated that 25% of women in post-secondary institutions experience some form of sexual assault, though this number is likely much higher for individuals from marginalized communities.

December 6 marks the 29th anniversary of the tragic events that took place at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989. We remember Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewickz, and all those who have lost their lives to sexism and misogyny.

We are committed to combatting gender-based violence in our movement, on our campuses and in our communities. Students will continue to be on the forefront of resisting misogyny and rape culture on campus and demanding better policies, consent education and supports for survivors to build consent culture on our campuses and beyond.