Here Marks your Grave - Press Release June 9, 2004

Here Marks your Grave

Press Release

Sudbury Women’s Centre des Femmes
324 Elm Street Suite F Sudbury, Ontario
Contact: Barbara Garon
(705) 673 - 1916

Sudbury - June 09th, 2004 - "Here Marks your Grave"...There were many inquires today at the Sudbury Women’s Centre. Some callers asked as to "why there was not a protest" and other calls and e-mails whose comments were filled with horror, disgust and disappointment when the first pictures of the "tombstone" were released.

Now that I see the marker that the Coalition to End Violence Against Women have erected in Civic Cemetery, I must say, I am glad that it is there. This marker in fact, is not a "monument" at all, it is a tombstone true to the Ellero form of design for grave sites. The Centre did not protest at the graveyard for to do so would be disrespectful to the many that lie in peace within its gates. Even more so, why protest a "tombstone"? The installation alone has brought indignity and humiliation to our City and to survivors of Domestic Violence. Shame on the Coalition and most of our City Council.

It is unfortunate that the agencies representing this "Coalition" did not recognize the significance of erecting such a tombstone within a graveyard. The simple perception of this location, for survivors and the community is in my opinion a travesty. This original conception of the monument was to "recognize and honour women killed at the hands of their intimate partner in a way that is both visible and respectful". This "tombstone" does not reflect the original concept behind this project.

Unlike other cities, Sudbury City Council and Mayor Courtemanche should have recommended that a more appropriate sculpture or monument be placed in front of city hall or in a park, even more recently like that of Elliott Lake.

Furthermore, the Coalition to End Violence Against Women has many questions to answer concerning the whole fiasco that was taken under the facade of "consensus", "mediation" and "collaborated effort". As stated by a Coalition member indicating that additional work needs to be done "in collaboration with all agencies in town", I beg to differ. Any collaborated effort, with that of the Coalition, has already been compromised by the demonstrated and specific isolation and exclusion of various key feminist agencies including that of the Sudbury Women’s Centre.

Also silenced and ignored were the many voices of survivors, women, businesses and agencies with the coalition determination to proceed with unveiling. The Coalition refused to reconsider or postpone the placement of the monument. This entire process has taken over ten years. What difference would a few additional months have made to ensure the collaboration of the entire community?

The concerns of this agency have been duly noted within our previous collective involvement with the Coalition. As one of the original founding member agency (1981) of this Coalition, this Centre has been fully active, respectful and represented the Coalition throughout the entire monument process.

In fact, it was the Sudbury Women’s Centre who, on behalf of the Coalition, presented to City Council repeated requests for the allocation of a monument site. At no time was it ever suggested that a cemetery site be selected. It was only when a new "restructured" Coalition had emerged, in October of 2000, that the Sudbury Women’s Centre decided to pull out as it was felt that the "Coalition" no longer reflected the "true" voice for women at the grass roots level.

The Coalition has already demonstrated not only an unequal balance of women’s voices but further the dismissal of the many voices urging a stop to the graveyard site. Why is it that today it is stated that "we must collaborate our efforts" when such attempts have already been demonstrated as futile. The Coalition has been very well aware of the Centre’s position regarding the cemetery location. In the spirit of effective collective decision making feminist practices, and the outcry from survivors and the public, to stop this "tombstone" why has our collaborated voices been ignored!

Does this demonstrate collaborated effort on part of the Coalition?!? The tombstone stands. You decided!

The Sudbury Women's Centre and our supporting agencies, will not recognize this tombstone as any women's monument. The symbolism of the tombstone itself, is sickening and horrific to women survivors and women presently living within abusive relationships.

At present, "we" are collectively organizing to have a structure erected in a prominent place that in fact will be a monument to women and their struggles, and, will be reflective of the feminist community of which we represent. Further, we are not supportive in sending a message to survivors and or women and children that are presently in abusive relationships that this is the best that we can do as a community. Women and children need more than a four foot plot and a tombstone to demonstrate the continued struggles against the eradication of all forms of violence.

The Sudbury Women's Centre is encouraging input from individuals of the Sudbury community!! Survivors of violence, women, children, businesses and agencies are welcome to contact the Sudbury Women's Centre des Femmes to voice their comments and opinions on a coordinated community effort in erecting a true women's monument.

This monument will be erected in a location of honour for all women and children who have suffered or continue to suffer from all forms of violence. We are also accepting submissions from local artists, sculptors and any interested individuals wishing to contribute their vision as to what the women’s monument represents to them. All forms of artistic interpretations are welcome. We will be accepting submissions until September 30, 2004 at which time, a selection committee will be established.

For more information contact:
The Sudbury Women's Centre des Femmes
(705) 673 - 1916 or e-mail swc@isys.ca.

324 Elm Street Suite F
Sudbury, Ontario
Contact: Barbara Garon
(705) 673 - 1916

The Sudbury Women's Centre des Femmes
324-F, rue Elm St. West/Ouest, Sudbury, ON
Phone (705) 673-1916 * Fax (705) 673-7176 * Email swc@isys.ca

To the Honourable Mayor Dave Courtemanche,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Sudbury Women’s Centre des Femmes (SWC), please allow the following “herstory” of our involvement with the Sudbury Coalition to End Violence Against Women as additional insight within the much public debate of erecting a women’s monument in a graveyard.

In 1991, the Sudbury Women’s Centre Executive developed a proposal that would bring together various community committees and boards who were working independently on initiatives to combat violence against women. Through this initiative and a grant from Canada Employment and Immigration a two-day workshop entitled “Violence Against Women: A Community Response” was coordinated. The workshop resulted in the formation of an “umbrella” group whose focus was on opening the lines of communication between sister organizations in a coordinated effort in addressing issues of violence against women. The SWC was the central contact for this group called the Community Action Coalition. At that time, the many sub-committees of the Action Coalition amalgamated to form the Sudbury Coalition to End Violence Against Women.

In 1996, Ms. Barb Garon and two representatives from the John Howard Society approached City Council for approval of one of three proposed monument sites. Ms. Barb Garon again, on behalf of the Coalition, approached City Council in 1997, 1998, 1999 and at every December 6th event coordinated by the SWC. It was only in October 2000 that the monument committee, among others, was resigned by the executive of the Coalition. At this time, the SWC withdrew its participation from the Coalition as it was determined by the Executive Board of the SWC that the Coalition was no longer representative of the voice of women at the grass roots level. It is the present Coalition executive who proposed and accepted the cemetery site.

The existing Coalition, as stated, does not include “membership from every organization that deals with domestic violence”. It does, however, have representation from 3 women’s agencies, Le Centre Victoria pour femmes, Sudbury Sexual Assault Crisis Centre (funded by Ministry of the Attorney General), YWCA/Genevra House; 4 “family” agencies, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Treatment Program, Manitoulin & Sudbury Children’s Aid Society, Sudbury & District Health Unit, Sudbury Family Service and the remaining representing offices/programs of the Ministry of the Attorney General which include the Crown Attorney’s Office, Greater Sudbury Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Probation & Parole, SupportLink, Victim Crisis Assistance Referral Service, Victim/Witness Assistance Program and one honourary lifetime member previously employed by the Ministry of the Attorney General. Is this an accurate representation of women’s voice in Sudbury?

It is unfortunate that Le Centre Victoria pour femmes, Sudbury Sexual Assault Crisis Centre and the YWCA/Genevra House, representing “women’s agencies” have silenced their feminist principles in collectively accepting a graveyard as a final resting place to honour those women affected by violence. It would have been far better to continue the discussion then to compromise one’s principles and silence the voices of the many women we represent through our respective agencies.

For the many years that the SWC has, on behalf of the Coalition, lobbied City Council, we are appalled that the Coalition and its members would succumb to the political pressures of time in accepting a cemetery as a suitable resting place. With our many years of involvement, the Coalition or facilitator has never approached us for any additional input regarding the location of the women’s monument.

Given that the Greater City of Sudbury has a “progressive” Council that includes three female councillors, I would anticipate Council’s need to acknowledge the importance of having a women’s monument “in a visible place of honour” as did Vancouver, Toronto, London, Ottawa… These cities designated large portions of public parks and places in front of City Hall as ideal locations. There are many appropriate locations throughout our vast city; Bell Park, Memorial Park, Tom Davies Square or perhaps the new shelter location where a women’s monument could overlook the City of Sudbury.

The issue of violence cannot be hidden behind the steel gates of a cemetery like criminals in a cell. Those killed, those affected by violence, are not the guilty. Let the monument stand publicly for all to see, acknowledging those innocents hurt by its mighty hands… Let us not be ashamed, but instead stand fast, acknowledge and educate even the youngest of our citizens that all forms of violence will NOT be tolerated by women, by women’s groups, by our community or by our government no matter at what level. As depicted on the monument, let the symbol of the lighthouse guide women to places of safety within our city and certainly not to guide them to their graves.

Respectfully,

Monique Roy, President
on behalf of the Board of Directors of
The Sudbury Women’s Centre des Femmes

Sudbury Women’s Centre des Femmes
324 Elm Street West, Suite F
Sudbury, Ontario P3C 1V8

Sudbury, Ontario — April 30, 2004 — She sat in my office silent and withdrawn. Baring the scars of past beatings and the bright purple bruises from the night before . Her youngest child sitting on her lap appeared tired and frightened. I asked myself, had she finally found the courage to leave last night or was it beaten into her? As we spoke of her situation, she described to me how she was certain that this time his threats were real. Her young son piped up; "My Daddy said he would put my Mommy in her grave ... then he kept hitting her and hitting her. She was crying a lot..."

Domestic violence is one of the greatest dangers to a woman's life in Canada; 1 out of every 4 women will fall victim to some form of violence by their intimate partner or someone they know by the age of 25. Every day of the year, women of all ages, women from all backgrounds, women are murdered or beaten by their partners.

It is shameful that the Greater City of Sudbury Council and its members find it fitting to honor women that have lost their lives to violence by recognizing it through a monument within a "graveyard". It is further shameful that a Coalition created to "End violence against women" accepts the graveyard as a final resting place for a monument that was intended to honor the very women they serve.

A monument placed in a graveyard is not a reflection of honor or an effective tool in the education of the issues surrounding domestic violence. Instead, a monument placed in a graveyard is an insult to the those women who are searching to find the courage to leave violent relationships in order to affect a positive change in their and their children’s lives.

The Greater City of Sudbury Council needs to take responsibility in their decision to continue to place the issue of Domestic Violence out of sight. It is unfortunate that the Coalition to End Violence Against women have swayed so far from their initial passion to have settled for a "plot" instead of a park..

I am pleading with my sisters to stand up and no longer be silent, to hold accountable the decision makers, who further victimize women by their misdirected deeds. This threat is real... they have approved the graveyard for your honor, be silent no more. Make your voice heard...

Barbara Garon Investing in Women’s Future Coordinator
Rose Menard Executive Director
Executive Board of Directors of the Sudbury Women’s Centre des Femmes

For more information contact:
Barbara Anne Garon
Investing in Women’s Futures - Coordinator
(705) 673-1916
Email: ncp@cyberbeach.net