Workshops on prevention of criminal acts and violence against women

In spite of international declarations, action plans and the many promises of the government of Canada, it seems that violence against women is unfortunately still a part of daily life.  The crime committed against Natasha Cournoyer reminds us of this.  This 37 year old woman was abducted at the end of her work day in Laval in early October 2009 and found dead a few days later.  Natasha worked for the Correctional Service of Canada and was a member of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.  In 2009, this day marked the 20^th anniversary of the massacre at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, where 14 young women were killed.

Ms Huguette Breton, NVP for Women’s Issues, took steps in order to highlight this day.  With the assistance of representatives assigned to women’s issues and, in some locations, of Local Presidents, police departments and various other actors, over 75% of CEIU members throughout Québec had an opportunity to attend violence prevention workshops.  These were held in their workplaces, including call centers, between December 1 and 11, 2009.

The workshops are the result of a program set up after 2 years of consultation and research with experts and women’s organizations.  This program called CAP (Capacity, Action and Prevention) is a first in Québec.  It is mainly geared towards groups of women who wish to learn about and acquire behaviours and attitudes that strengthen their sense of personal safety.  The CAP program on women’s safety covers most daily life situations that make women feel unsafe, such as being alone in an indoor parking, while walking, at the automatic teller machine, on the bus, etc.

The many members who attended these workshops were delighted.  They underlined the accuracy of the information provided by the community or police officers, their dash and drive, their acute sense of communication, their relevance, their accessibility and the high quality of their presentation.

In some locations, self-defence courses will start soon further to this activity.

We invite the members who want to discuss women’s issues with other members to join the CEIU on-line Member Network.  Hughette is already using the Member Network and she is looking forward to continue to establish new bonds between the members.