Some may say that Lanark County Interval House and Community Support prides itself on being a small agency with a big voice.
For more than 47 years, the agency has continued to amplify the issues facing women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse folks who are victims of violence. We have never sat in silence or avoided difficult conversations, often saying what no one else wants to hear.
Think historically of all the examples that demonstrate the need to dismantle systemic barriers to justice. Think about colonization, racism, profiling, homophobia and basic human rights. Think about the origins of Take Back the Night across the world. Follow that with the Montreal Massacre in 1989 — all examples of misogyny, gender-based violence and the need for systemic change.
Unfounded cases. The #MeToo movement. The Epstein files. Inquests. Death reviews. The hockey trial in London, Ontario. And now, the Cornell University travesty.
Examples of privilege, silencing, overt misogyny and protecting systems over people.
The pattern continues.
Educational campaigns related to locker-room culture, challenges to the institutional hierarchy of privilege, bystander intervention and our See It, Name It, Change It campaign, to name only a few, seek to raise awareness and change the landscape.
But not one of the 57 people reportedly in the group text in the Cornell case spoke up to say: Wait. This is wrong.
Zero accountability?
Much like the London, Ontario hockey trial, where perpetrators were protected and able to continue growing their careers.
Loyalty and privilege win.
Revictimization is to be expected. Trauma lives on and is perpetuated by the very systems designed to “protect” victims.
Give that a thought.
So, what now?
We are aware. We have been told.
We need action.
We need the systemic dismantling of generations of tradition, privilege, control, money and pride that hurt, harm and discriminate, and that centre perpetrators, reputations and careers over human rights and dignity.
We should be outraged that expulsion and “writing an essay” are deemed appropriate consequences for rape.
Clearly, something went wrong.
We should be outraged that children are raised to believe rape culture is part of the game of life.
We should be outraged that it is always about what the victim was wearing or doing, and about “consent,” rather than the perpetrators’ acts of violence.
Where is consent? Is it understood?
Do we honestly think victims want to endure and consent to seven hours of rape? And that others should be invited to participate in these vile acts of violence like it is an open house?
Where are our male allies?
We need you to act.
You must initiate action and not wait for the guidance of genders and communities of folks at risk.
What about those who are triggered and fearful?
We need you to know that we see you and believe you.
What about our intentions? Do we care, or are we apathetic in our response?
What do we do with our anger?
We are Jane Does.
Where is accountability for all?
In order for there to be justice, we must stand with all Jane Does and demand that we dismantle the systems that perpetuate violence everywhere. Without it, we will continue to sit on our hands and remain silent observers and active participants.
So, this small but mighty agency will continue to amplify the issues, point out the things people think but don’t say, and invite you to do the same.
Will you stand with all Jane Does?
Stop it.
Stop it, right now.
In Solidarity,
Erin Lee
Executive Director
Lanark County Interval House
