Hello.

My name is Diane Tremblay and I am a victim and survivor of domestic and family violence.

I am here today to offer my full support, experience and vision; as a former victim myself, I am also here to stand in solidarity with other victims, most of whom are women who are dealing with violence. I would like to offer my support to indigenous women, who are overrepresented among these victims, and to women of all backgrounds. These women are human beings targeted and used as scapegoats by anger‑fuelled men. These men are power-hungry and filled with an unholy hatred for women.

As you know, the number of femicides has increased dramatically, even more so since the pandemic. We deserve resources from qualified organizations right now, such as psychological and financial assistance, as well as accommodation and assistance during court appearances. Police forces often have their hands tied by laws that are designed for criminals, not for abused women. I've lived it, so I speak from experience.

Unfortunately, the huge lack of resources, staff and budget is hindering assistance for women victims. We're here today to find solutions quickly, because criminals don't wait. They kill spouses, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts and friends, among others. These women don't stand a chance, because they're not being adequately protected and taken seriously by our federal and provincial governments. Help has been slow in coming for decades. We are left with the impression that women remain at the bottom of our leaders' priorities in 2024, with the exception of yourselves, of course.

I myself have been a victim of domestic violence. During this difficult time in my life, I experienced sexual assault and two attempts on my life. Myself and my children were subjected to all forms of violence. In addition, I had to fight tooth and nail to keep myself safe and to get financial and psychological help. This was way back to 2009. Nearly 20 years later, I am still making the same arguments and begging for change. That is not normal, it is immoral and unacceptable.

Here's what I propose as solutions.

First, we should have programs in every school in Canada to teach our children and equip them with the skills to communicate, manage their anger and respect others. A mediation program should be available in every school to help children with behavioural difficulties. We could call upon survivors of violence, who would be properly trained to offer anger management and child victim support programs. This would serve as an immediate intervention that would help victims from a young age. It would be beneficial to both victims and children and would truly help children make the transition into the adult world. Prevention is a key word that we tend to forget.

In addition, there should be meetings and discussions with judges in each of the provinces. That would be beneficial for everyone. We should be holding hearings with victims, as we are doing today, at least every two years, so that they can make their needs and feelings known outside the courtroom. Of course, I'm talking about survivors whose cases have been resolved. In short, it takes face-to-face meetings.

This could also be done with police services and their chiefs, so that they have a better understanding of victims and are in a better position to help them. That would be a big step toward better crisis management for victims of assault. What I mean by that is that police officers often don't know what to do either. Survivors of violence could then provide their expertise. I'm talking about survivors that would be able to participate with the benefit of some hindsight. When you are in a state of shock or going through a healing process, it is too early, in my humble opinion, to have clear ideas and to manage your emotions in a healthy way. When we give talks or appear before committees to explain our point of view, as I am doing today, it helps police officers better understand us when such events occur.

Obviously, much remains to be done in our society in general. There is a great need for education and awareness on violence against women. We could hold annual focus groups or information sessions with key workers or survivors in city halls during public meetings. Women's safety is everyone's business. It's about targeting violence without putting yourself in harm's way.

I think that murderers do not recognize the extent of their actions and that many of them have no remorse, too blinded as they are by their need to control, get revenge and hold the power of life and death over women.

As women, we find ourselves on our knees begging our abusers to spare our lives, not to hit us or rape us. We are still kneeling before our governments and begging for protection and security. We've been doing this for decades. This has to stop. Some people talk the talk and some walk the walk. Women are the ones who walk the walk. It is time for governments to act right here right now, but when will we see words put into action?

Finally, I think it would be appropriate to have an ambassador representing abused women. She could keep a constant eye on the situation and contact our elected officials in all the provinces of Canada to remind them that we exist, that we are entitled to respect and that we have the right to lead our lives without being controlled by a violent man, under the threat of a knife or a gun. We have the right to live safely in our homes.

Thank you for listening to me and hearing me, and I wish you wisdom and good luck in your initiatives.

Meegwetch, thank you.

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