news // 4 theotherpress.ca Douglas College honours victims of violence » DSU hosts annual United Against Violence Against Women events Angela Espinoza News Editor Minews =. ‘ @theotherpress.ca Neer 25 and 27 mark this year’s United Against Violence Against Women (UAVAW) events hosted by the Douglas Students’ Union (DSU). Each year, the events are meant to coincide with the December 6 anniversary of Montreal’s 1989 Ecole took the lives of 14 women. December 6 is also recognized in Canada as the National Day of Remembrance Women, also known as White Ribbon Day. Previous UAVAW events have had speakers and panels, and last year’s events introduced an interactive “pledge” project. The project their name or a message about ending violence. Pledges are back this year, although the cards are now in the shape of hands. Pledges will be put on display, and various slideshows and videos will be screened throughout the day. The events come with a trigger warning, as discussion of violence, and statistics and rates regarding said violence will be presented openly. Participants are given a black scarf with the DSU logo and the phrase, “end violence against women,” printed on one end. Baking and pastry : arts students from Vancouver : Community College will be : serving white ribbon cookies, : and hot chocolate will also be : available. DSU women’s liaison Anni : Thiele said, “I would like to : see all students find it in their : hearts to help stop violence : against women. I would : like to see students educate : themselves on that matter and : to spread the word on how : important it is to stand up, not : only for women, but for one Polytechnique massacre, which : another. “With a lot happening : in the media right now there : have been lots of different : events in the world that and Action on Violence Against ended with unfair treatment : towards women, a fair amount : of domestic violence against : women.” The UAVAW events will : also be offering a Women’s tet _, + Support Services info fair, had students signing cards with : which several organizations : have been asked to take part in. The events are intended : to raise awareness of violence : against women, as well as : domestic abuse, which all : people can be victims of. The : events are also intended to : create a positive, encouraging : environment to let students : know what services are : available and that there : is support for them. The : Canadian Federation of : Students’ No Means No and : the national White Ribbon : campaigns will be promoted, : and the college’s annual vigils : remembering the victims of the : : 1989 Montreal massacre will be : held. The November 25 event : also shares the date with this : year’s UN International Day : for the Elimination of Violence : Against Women. Thiele cited one of the : UN’s own campaigns as a : source for hope: “The He for : She campaign is getting big, : and I think more and more : people are starting to realize : that the unfair treatment : has to stop, especially in less : developed countries,” said : Thiele. “As the women’s liaison, : I want to let people know : that I am always available for : suggestions, questions, or if : students just need somebody to : talk to. I think it is important : we spread the word about the : [Douglas College] safe walks : and that students speak up. : I know it isn’t always easy to : speak up [for oneself], but find : somebody—a friend, a teacher, : a family member—to help you : and to support you and give : you strength to stop what you : are going through.” The David Lam campus : event will be taking place on : November 25 in the A-B atrium, : while the New Westminster : event will be on November 27 : in the concourse. Both events : run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. : and will be open to all. If you : would like to volunteer, contact : the DSU’s college relations : and outreach coordinator : Tracy Ho at collegerelations@ douglasstudentsunion.ca Notorious dog-killer now faces murder charges » Brian Whitlock charged with second-degree murder Brittney MacDonald Staff Writer Q: November 9, Vancouver resident Brian Whitlock was apprehended and later charged with the murder of a woman, revealed to be his mother, Barbara Whitlock. The murder took place in the home they shared near the Dunbar area. According to Constable Brian Montague in a media address, a relative who entered the home found Barbara’s body and proceeded to contact police. Police response was followed by an eight-hour standoff between Brian and the Vancouver Police Department, in which negotiation attempts were made. The emergency : response team eventually : okayed the use of non-lethal : tactical weaponry to subdue : Brian. Brian was the perpetrator of a 2012 animal cruelty casein : which he plead guilty to beating : : his two-year-old German : : Shepherd, Captain, with a _ } baseball bat, leaving the dog ] |: ina dumpster while still alive. | } The animal later died due to the : injuries it sustained. The case garnered a lot |: of publicity and was closely : followed by the media. Many ) } spectators were outraged : when Whitlock received a : 60-day sentence, with the 53 : days he had already spent : awaiting trial counting as time : served. Whitlock was also : recommended for treatment : of his mental illness rather : than a mandatory hospital : committal. During the course : of the trial, the defence argued : that Whitlock suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, and : asked for some leniency given : his mental instability. A mental health care : worker and former union : representative who wishes to : remain nameless criticized : Whitlock’s original sentence, : stating, “The sentence was a : joke. Anyone could see that : someone capable of doing that : to an animal they claim to love : was dangerous. Should we be : surprised now to see he’s hurt a : person? “The court would like you : to believe ... that as soon as : mental illness is a factor, they : can't do anything. It’s not true, : there is always [the option of] : community committal.” According to the Canadian Mental Health Association : website, community committal : is described as being a form : of involuntary treatment. The : website states those who suffer : any form of mental illness are : not always capable of making : clear decisions and may refuse : additional aid provided to : them. There is also the risk that : those with mental illness could : bea threat to themselves. The : website suggests “community : committal” as a healthy : alternative to avoid “involuntary : hospitalization.” However, : the success of community : committal is dependent on : the involvement of friends and : family of the sufferer. Despite Whitlock’s previously light sentence, : itis unclear if Whitlock’s : actions could have been : prevented. Whitlock’s next : court appearance is slated for : November 24.