Intimate Partner Violence is an Epidemic
April 22, 2025 at Operation Grow // 436 Bay Street, Midland, ON
Panel Discussion and Training
Panel Discussion
This event is a panel discussion aimed at addressing the urgent need for community action to respond to intimate partner violence (IPV) in Simcoe County and beyond. The event seeks to facilitate a dialogue on the current landscape of IPV, amplifying the voices of those working to attend to IPV. By creating a space for collective reflection and discussion, the event will consider how community-based solutions can be strengthened and expanded. Participants will explore how local organizations, policymakers, and community members can collaborate to better support survivors, prevent violence, and challenge the systems that enable IPV to persist. Through this conversation, Huronia Transition Homes aims to foster a collective commitment to confronting IPV as an epidemic across the province and creating concrete actions that address its deep-rooted impacts. The panel discussion will be moderated by Haily MacDonald, Executive Director of Huronia Transition Homes, and will be followed by an engaging opportunity to connect with local agencies actively involved in IPV service delivery across the region.
- Moderator: Haily MacDonald, Executive Director, Huronia Transition Homes
- Zoe Hilton, Researcher, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
- Sandra Montour, Executive Director, Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services
- Pat File, Lawyer
- Kelly Redmond, Program Supervisor, Athena's Sexual Assault Counselling and Advocacy Centre
Media Training
Join us for a transformative training on reporting and discussing gender-based violence (GBV) in the media. This session will focus on disrupting harmful narratives and challenging dominant discourses surrounding violence. We will call for a shift in how we conceptualize and address GBV, fostering a deeper understanding of its impact. Participants will gain valuable insights into advancing more equitable and representative narratives, while exploring pathways for meaningful action and change. This event will also provide opportunities to build knowledge and establish sustainable, collaborative relationships with the GBV sector, empowering media professionals to contribute to a more informed and compassionate approach to reporting.
The tragic femicide of Julia Brady in Midland during the summer of 2024 has underscored the urgent need for media in Simcoe County to respond more responsibly and actively to the epidemic of gender-based violence. Local media has a critical role in reshaping narratives, raising awareness, and holding space for conversations that can help prevent further violence. It's time for the media to take a stand in promoting safer, more equitable communities for all.
For questions and media inquiries, contact Desiree Salis, Manager of Development and Communications: dsalis@rosewood.on.ca or 705 526 3221 ext. 3228