The 10th annual Shine the Light campaign is officially underway.
The London Abused Women’s Centre run the event through the month of November. They turn the city purple to raise awareness about abuse against women.
The event always begins with lighting the Tree of Hope at Victoria Park.
This year it all started with a song.
Last week, Executive Director of LAWC, Megan Walker, announced Natalia Jimenez and Sonya Cywink as the honourees of this year’s campaign. At the kick-off event she reminded the crowd that more than 8,000 women looked for help last year.
“The London Abused Women’s Centre has as its fundamental policy that ALL women who are abused, and ALL children who are abused have the right to immediate access of care.”
This year the Shine the Light kick-off brought awareness to more than just the issue of abuse against women.
The 10th annual Shine the Light campaign is about to get started.#Shinethelight @endwomanabuse #LdnOnt pic.twitter.com/NQwNnlWvwt
— XFM News (@XFMNews) November 1, 2019
To honour the heritage of murdered Indigenous woman, Sonya Cywink, everything started with a traditional Honour Song.
“In our ways tobacco’s that unwritten contract… We’re asking for guidance, all of us together. We’re going to petition those prayers together. And when it’s time we’ll offer that tobacco to that fire. It’s that portal, if you will, to Spirit Realm. It’s that fire to take our prayers to the creator’s lands. To the heavens. To God Whatever you want to call it.”
Meggie Cywink and retired OPP officer Chris Gheysen
Meggie Cywink, the sister of Sonya, also addressed the crowd. She thanked the gathered dignitaries, advocates, police, friends, and family members for continuing to shine a light on the issue of abuse, but she added that there’s still a long way to go.
“We know that there’s systemic change that has to happen in this city and across this country in order for us to keep women and girls safe.”
She advocated for safe housing, educational programming, and exit strategies for getting out of the sex trade. She said that those are just the first, small steps that should be taken to make necessary change.
Cywink was joined by former OPP Officer Chris Gheysen, who was the original police officer on her sister’s case.
“He’s maintained a friendship with our family. I am very honoured that he is with us and he’s never given up.”
Sonya Cywink’s case has never been solved. Meggie implored that anyone with information call Crimestoppers.
“Help our family find the beginning of some justice.”
There will be several more events held over the course of the Shine the Light campaign:
- Monday, November 4th
Chalk Walk – Fanshawe College - Monday, November 4th to Friday, November 8th
Shades of Our Sisters:
Art Installation at Fanshawe College.
Anytime daily between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm from November 4th to the 8th.
The Traditional Opening of the Installation will take place on Monday, November 4th from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm - Tuesday, November 5th
Purple Pashmina Sale
London Health Science Centre, Victoria Campus Zone B, Level 2 – Atrium from 10am – 2pm - Wednesday, November 13th
Pop-Up Shop at Covent Garden Market 10-2 - Wednesday, November 15
Wear Purple Day
