National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women commemorates the 14 women killed at the École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989. On December 6th, people across the country remember and mourn this most extreme example of violence against women.
This year, the PSAC is joining the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) in launching the first nation-wide survey on the impact of domestic violence on workers and workplaces. This survey has been developed in partnership with the University of Western Ontario’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children (CREVAWC).
When workers experience domestic violence at home, the impacts are felt in the workplace. Unions have worked hard to pressure governments to pass workplace violence legislation that offers protection for workers experiencing violence in the home. Indeed, Ontario’s Bill 168 was implemented after considerable pressure following tragic workplace deaths. But there is much more we can do.
A similar survey was conducted in Australia. As a result of that, more than one million Australian workers can now receive domestic/family violence benefits, including paid leave, protection from adverse action and flexible work arrangements.
The CLC survey will provide made-in-Canada data that will help unions, employers, advocates and governments develop good public policy as well as negotiate workplace supports for victims of domestic violence.
The survey is available until June 6, 2014. Any worker over the age of 15 can complete the survey, whether or not they have experienced or witnessed domestic violence. It is completely anonymous and takes between 10 and 30 minutes.
Please spread the word.
December 6 is an occasion to remember young women who lost their lives to gender-based violence. But it is also a time to commit to action. Unions are uniquely placed to make a real difference to the lives of workers who may be experiencing violence in the home. And that makes work safer, for everyone.