Meri Awaaz symposium on domestic violence in Surrey will run from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 in conjunction with the International Women’s Day in room 2600 at the Simon Fraser University Surrey campus (13450 102 Ave.).
SURREY – Simon Fraser University’s Surrey campus is hosting a public workshop/symposium aimed at growing awareness, dialogue and empowerment on the issue of domestic violence. Meri Awaaz – My Voice takes place on Sunday, March 8 (International Women’s Day) from 1-4 pm (room 2600).
Moderators will be Stephen Dooley, executive director of SFU’s Surrey campus, and co-organizer Jessie Lehail, who hopes the event will be “a catalyst to break the silence and stigma associated with domestic violence.”
“We needed to do something because nobody else seemed to be doing anything about a problem of this magnitude,” Lehail said.
Meri Awaaz or “My Voice” is an educational platform described as a place where citizens can connect in different capacities which includes reporting and discussing local domestic violence issues.
Last year, the BC Coroner’s Service reported 14 spousal homicides occurred in the province – a five-year all-time high.
Dooley adds: “Providing a platform for stakeholder conversations and strong community connections is imperative. SFU is proud to be community partners with Meri Awaaz and work towards the common goal of creating dialogue to end domestic violence.”
By joining forces with local experts and organizations in the Lower Mainland, Meri Awaaz aims to leverage the collective resources to grow the discussion about domestic violence through various lenses. To date nearly 150 individuals have signed up to attend the event.
Co-organizer Mannu Sandhu says domestic violence is “still the most pervasive form of violence against women, and continues to be perpetrated in their homes by people they love.” She notes that according to the province, there were more than 12,300 police-reported victims of intimate partner violence throughout B.C. in 2013, and 113 domestic violence-related deaths from 2004 – 2014.
Panelists include representatives Amman Barmi, Genesis Family Empowerment, Corp Yvette Leboulch of the RCMP’s domestic violence unit, Counciller Vera LeFranc of the City of Surrey, Balbir Kaur Gurm of the Surrey Women’s Centre, Barinder Rasode of the Fraser Health board of directors, Daniel Sobhana, Provincial Office of Domestic Violence, and SFU student and change advocate Gosharen Dosange.
The symposium will run from 12-4 p.m. in room 2600 at the Simon Fraser University Surrey campus (13450 102 Ave.).
Admission is free but donations are being collected for the Surrey Women’s Centre.
