We have all witnessed or heard of violence being directed at women one time or another. We must remember that violence against women and girls takes many forms and is rampant throughout the world. In recent years, there has been a great deal of attention to the issue of women who have suffered violence.  It is now time to take action to support those women who live with violence to take steps to protect themselves and their children.

We must recognize the tragedy of violence against women and the need to work together to stop violence before it starts. It is our collective responsibility to work toward a better world. Through my involvement in the community, I have worked with community organizations, business, media and women’s groups to bring the impact of violence and the identification of violence into the fore. 

During this time we must also reflect on some of the progress that has been made in our fight to stop the violence. Funding to support transition houses, second stage houses and Children Who Witness Abuse programs, to name a few, go a long way to ending this pandemic of violence.

On that note, I would like to congratulate PICS on establishing “Harmony House,” a supportive cooperative house where abused and abandoned immigrant women and their children who have been impacted by abuse in intimate relationships, and have passed through the initial crisis stage, may stay between 6 - 18 months. PICS must be applauded for establishing Harmony House where immigrant women and their children can flee abuse and rebuild their lives.

Ultimately though, it is our collective effort that will help us to have a society that eliminates violence against women in all its shapes and forms. 

Raj Hundal

Surrey-Tynehead NDP Candidate