Walk against intimate partner violence held in wake of alleged murder

Powerful words were part of a powerful message on display in downtown Midland on Monday, as a sea of purple shirts broadcast awareness about intimate partner violence in the wake of the recent murder of Midland resident Julia Brady.

Roughly 50 people gathered at Neezhoday Park on one of the hottest days of the year to march in solidarity toward the waterfront harbour where a commemorative purple fabric was placed over a bench.

According to organizer Haily MacDonald, acting executive director for Huronia Transition Homes, participants of the march included members of Brady’s family and coworkers, service workers with La Maison Rosewood and Operation Grow, and other supporters within the community.

“Two weeks ago when we found out about the tragic loss of Julia Brady, we found out within three hours of the tragic loss of another 17-year-old girl in London, Ontario, due to intimate partner violence,” MacDonald informed attendees. She said one femicide has occurred each week so far this year in the province. 

Her speech included several calls for action: that community well-being and safety plans address gender-based violence on a local level as well as for municipalities across Ontario; that provincial Bill 173, Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024 be passed to see change and appropriate services in communities; and more communities coming together for action.

MacDonald related a comment from an associate who, upon learning of the death of Brady, said they felt anger and pain, accompanied by feelings of being alone and unable to do anything.

“We can’t do it,” expressed MacDonald with extreme sadness and increasing volume.

“We can’t mourn the loss of this woman, at the same time as trying to push for change within our local, provincial and federal governments, at the same time as trying to fundraise $500,000 a year to keep our doors open, at the same time as trying to keep people safe in their homes, safe in our streets, their bellies full and their hearts full," said MacDonald.

“We can’t do it alone. We need community, and we need to all stand together in this movement to end all violence against women,” MacDonald concluded to thunderous applause.

The event finished with the crowd drawn to a bench overlooking Midland Harbour, where MacDonald and Maison Rosewood Shelter crisis councillor Desiree Salis placed a temporary purple fabric over top.

Mayor Bill Gordon informed the crowd that he had received large numbers of people reaching out to attend who were unable.

“More of the community is behind this than what you see here today,” Gordon noted. “In Canada, and even in our home community of Midland, intimate partner violence remains a largely hidden epidemic. Despite our country’s progressive values and commitment to human rights, this form of abuse persists in all of our communities, behind closed doors and often going unreported.”

A municipal request for a formal purple-painted bench is expected to appear in front of council later this fall, both Gordon and MacDonald stated.

Also in attendance were members of the OPP.

Staff Sergeant Christina Schroeder, operations manager at the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment, shared that she was present to participate “in this very important event; a remembrance walk for a very unfortunate, very recent homicide victim.”

“Unfortunately, the very nature of intimate partner violence is that it’s sometimes not always on our radar, it’s not always between individuals who are known to us where we can intervene,” said Schroeder.

“There are so many services and resources available once we are involved, but unfortunately it’s the very nature of the offence that makes it so difficult," said Schroeder.

“So agencies like our shelter agency are just instrumental in our communities in helping reach out to victims and assist,” Schroeder added.

When asked what the best time to contact OPP for assistance was, Schroeder shared that any time was the best time.

“At any time there’s fear for their safety or someone is abusive in any way – whether that’s emotionally, physically, mentally abusive, controlling, financially controlling – and then there’s so many community resources as well. But any time, even if it’s just to ask questions, we would provide resources about what’s available in our community for intervention," Schroeder said.

Examples of intimate partner abuse/violence can be found on the OPP website, as well as a thorough list of resources addressing associated services throughout Canada and Ontario.

Schroeder added that facilities such as Maison Rosewood Shelter would have additional resources.

Huronia Transition Homes has been in operation since 1984 in North Simcoe and has a 24/7 county-wide crisis line where community members can access critical support and resources (In north Simcoe: 1-800-461- 1750 and in south Simcoe: 1-800-987-0799).