We know that people with disabilities are often among the most underserved or marginalized people in Canada, but we so seldom hear their stories. When it comes to sexual violence, people with disabilities are often the most vulnerable. Research shows that women with disabilities are 3...
Read MoreA conversation with Chanelle Gallant on media reporting on sexual violence and sex work We’ve seen the headlines before: “Toronto man posing as undercover cop to demand sexual favours from prostitutes, police say” (National Post) “Manchester United's David De Gea accused of organising prostitute sex 'party' for...
Read MoreRecently, there’s been a swell of conversation about the issues of sexual violence and gender-based violence in Canada. High-profile court cases have garnered a level of mainstream media coverage that seems unprecedented. But what’s missing from the conversation? Representation matters. Advocates say there are more...
Read MoreThe past month has justice for Black communities into the spotlight. First there was Black Lives Matter’s high-profile protest against police presence at the Toronto Pride Parade, and the ensuing racist backlash. Then, the tragic murders of Black community members including Alton Sterling, Philando Castile,...
Read More“I am actually glad to see the term ‘rape culture’ starting to pervade public consciousness through the media,” says Kai Cheng Thom. “That term has specifically been used… in mainstream media and I think that’s amazing.” For Kai, a writer, performance artist, and social worker, the...
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Dear women & girls* aged 15-25, We are making a stop motion animated video about how cyberviolence affects your daily life. But we need YOUR EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS to make the video break the internet! This video will receive a national launch through the YWCA. You can...
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Violence, whether online or offline, is never your fault and never okay. If you experience cyberviolence, know you are not alone. Here are some tips that might make you feel better - and that you can add to your "safety toolkit"! 1. Brighten up your internet experience! Sign up...
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Our friend Anna Humphrey wrote this set of poems when she was 17 about the 14 women murdered on December 6th at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal . Today we remember, tomorrow we take action. 14, As More Than Just a Number by Anna Humphrey For Genevieve Bergeron, 21 Because you...
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femifesto invites you to join us in the #UseTheRightWords Campaign. In recent years, there has been a swell in coverage about sexual violence in mainstream Canadian media. We have seen media coverage of the reports of social media exchanges that incite sexual violence, social media groups targeting women...
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In December 2013, Hollaback! Ottawa and its grassroots community partners, wrote an open letter to the women of Ottawa about a rash of reported sexual assaults by a “serial rapist”. The goal of the letter was to counteract archaic, ineffective and oppressive “safety tips” that place the...
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