Guelph students create public service announcement decrying violence against women
Nov 2, 2010- Guelph Mercury
GUELPH — A woman is washing dishes. A man is watching sports on television. She has a black eye. He is heard shouting. The woman flinches and a plate shatters on the floor.
These stark elements make up a powerful public service announcement about violence against women, a message created by youth for youth to illustrate the fear that exists in many homes. This month, thousands of people in Guelph will watch it, and hear a public service announcement for radio, also created by youth.
“People shouldn’t be afraid to live in their own homes,” said Francesca Starr, 17, one of the Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School students who created the public service announcement.
The video, along with a radio spot created by a group of John F. Ross CVI students, were unveiled at a news conference Monday and will air and show throughout November as part of Women Abuse Prevention Month in Guelph.
“I really like the idea that it is youth talking to youth,” said Thea Greisman, 16, a John L. Ross student who helped make the radio PSA, which is a collage of female voices expressing fear of violence. It will air this month on Magic 106.1 FM.
“In this group today,” said Martha Rogers, Upper Grand District School Board director of education, “half of the women will have experienced violence. I am one who did as well.”
Rogers spoke of a frightening sexual assault she experienced as a university student, when a man armed with a knife abused her.
“I had two choices, because he had a knife,” she said. “My choices were, here is this knife and it can skewer your neck, or you can take your clothes off. It struck me that taking my clothes off might lead to a better end than a knife skewering my neck. I would be an example of a person who survived sexual violence.”
Rogers said about 51 per cent of women in Canada have been victims of violence. Nearly 30 per cent of Canadian women have been assaulted by a spouse.
“These are horrible things that happen to people,” Rogers said.
While people appear more willing to discuss the issue of violence against women, the problem is just as severe as it was 30 years ago, said Sly Castaldi, chair of Guelph-Wellington Action Committee on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
“Every year the numbers don’t decrease,” said Castaldi in an interview. “We’re doing more awareness, more speaking out. As that happens, more and more women feel more comfortable coming forward.”
Various influences, including a widespread desensitization to violence, have exacerbated the problem, she indicated.
“There are those that still believe that your partner is your property that you can do with what you will,” she said. “I think we still live in a patriarchal society. It’s not an egalitarian society quite yet. Until that changes, I think we are going to continue to see woman abuse.”
In the past, she said, public education campaigns geared to young people have missed the mark – failing to have an impact on their intended audience. The “Be the Solution” announcements are something youth can relate to.
“Especially because teens were involved in it, I think more people will relate to it, especially other teens,” said Amanda Cunningham, 16, a co-creator of the video, which will air before each Galaxy Cinemas offering in November.
“A house is a place where you can go and be yourself, where you can be comfortable,” said Starr. “It’s scary for people to have to go home and think about whether or not they are going to get hit or not, or for them to fear for their lives or the lives of their children.”
Both girls said they are hopeful violence against women will end — that people will eventually realize that it is wrong and must not be tolerated.
Rogers offered up other stark statistics: In 1998, roughly two women were killed by a spouse each week in Canada. As well, 98 per cent of sex offenders are men, and 82 per cent of the survivors of these assaults are girls and women. This violence happens in our own neighbourhoods, she said.
“Children who witness domestic violence may be affected by violence as adults, either as victims or as perpetrators,” she said.
“We all have a role to play in communicating that violence against women is absolutely unacceptable, and we do need to break the cycle of abuse. Ending violence against women takes all of us,” she concluded.
