35 years ago, on December 6, 1989, 14 young women were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal.
We honour them, and all victims of gender-based violence, on The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Island Health is committed to building an organization free from discrimination for those who work here and those who receive care here. Today and everyday, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting against gender-based violence in all forms.
If you or someone you know is a survivor of gender-based violence, realize you are not alone, support is available.
Support Services:
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Call 9-1-1 in an emergency
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Call the Victim Link BC support line: 1-800-563-0808
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Validate a person's experience by saying “I believe you" and asking if there is any way to help
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Island Health has professional and caring staff that offer confidential services for Sexual Assault & Relationship Violence. If you or anyone you know has experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence, our Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs) are available 24/7 at any Island Health Emergency Room. FNEs can see survivors up to seven days after an assault and medical care is 100% confidential. To learn more, please visit Island Health's FNE website to watch Island Health's four-part video series about forensic nursing.
"The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours."