A silent vigil was held earlier today on the steps of the B.C. Legislature to honour 15 women killed by men in British Columbia this year.
Organized by Vancouver Rape Relief, the gathering featured participants holding signs with each woman’s name, age, and the date she was killed.
One sign represented a woman in her 60s who was found dead in the water at Reed Point Marina on the morning of January 1. Her death was deemed “suspicious” by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). Because her name has not been released, the sign simply read: A woman in her 60s.
“We were not able to find her name,” said Vancouver Rape Relief spokeswoman Hilla Kerner. “Nevertheless, we mourn her and honour her life.” Vancouver Rape Relief monitors police and media reports to identify femicide cases in the province, though the group believes the list they compiled is incomplete.
“We want the BC Coroners Service to make this information publicly available,” Kerner said. “The public needs to know about the deadly reality of male violence against women.”
The group is also calling for an inquest into every femicide case. Inquests, Kerner said, would shed light on systemic failures and highlight the changes needed to protect women and prevent future deaths.
