Social Action

Violence Against (VAW) shelters grew out of a social justice movement where women demanded change to address the gender-based violence rooted in the social, economic and political inequality of women.

Women will not be free from violence until we achieve equality and equality cannot be achieved until violence and the threat of violence are eliminated from women’s lives.

Ending violence against women requires a combination of political action, individual advocacy and education to break the cycle of violence.

Every woman who comes to our shelter has made an individual decision to stand up and make a change in their lives and that takes tremendous courage.

Every person can help eliminate violence against women and children by learning to identify the signs of abuse, helping women who are being abused by supporting organizations that offer shelter and support and by challenging our leaders to make real change for women and children in the following ways:

access to affordable and safe housing
access to affordable childcare
a legal system that holds perpetrators accountable
immigration policy and practice that protects rather than punishes women without status who are fleeing abuse
anti poverty measures that address the root causes
an educational curriculum that teaches both girls and boys that girls are of equal value

Ernestine’s has a social action committee which works to address the above issues. Look for upcoming campaigns on this page and consider attending one or more of the upcoming events listed below.

Upcoming Events

Come back soon...

Past Events

Rouge Event - United Way Toronto - Nov 10th

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - November 25th

Transgender Day of Remembrance - November 20th

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - December 6t

Walk 4 Justice Toronto - September 4th-6th and 12th 2011

United Way Campaign 2011 Kickoff - September 6th 2011

Ontario Non-Profit Network - Conversation with the Third Sector - September 28th 2011(Centre for Social Innovation 720 Bathurst)

Provincial Election - October 6th 2011

Enbridge CN Tower Climb in support of the United Way - Saturday October 22nd

Making the Links:

The conversation needs to get louder and broader if we want to make violence a thing of the past. Systemic racism, discrimination and oppression based on race, class, sexual orientation, gender identification, age and ability must be addressed as part of an integrated approach to ending violence against women and children. Please check the links below and generate some conversation of your own.