It was her first opportunity to give a statement in the house as the MLA for Cowichan Valley and she wasn’t going to waste it.
Green Party deputy leader Sonia Furstenau rose in the Legislature on Oct. 19, and delivered a short, concise speech that many women can relate to.
Furstenau said “Me Too.”
Well, that’s not the beginning and end of it, but her message was clear.
“I rise today, Honourable Speaker to say, Me Too,” Furstenau began.
While she didn’t tell her own stories, she did address the issue as a whole.
The #MeToo campaign took the internet by storm following a multitude of sexual harassment and assault allegations made against hollywood hotshot producer Harvey Weinstein. It’s widely accepted actress Alyssa Milano kicked off the campaign on Twitter when she wrote: “If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.”
It caught on like wildfire as women across the world came forward through social media with personal stories of sexual assault and harassment.
“Women have been sharing their stories, and shining a light on the shocking prevalence of sexual harassment and violence in our society,” Furstenau said in Victoria. “The stories have been heart-wrenching and painful; the story-tellers brave and heroic.”
“As the #MeToo stories were in the media, I realized I wanted to give voice to that issue,” Furstenau later told the Citizen. “I also, of course, have my own #MeToo stories — as I expect nearly every woman does. I wanted to use the time not just to raise awareness of the me-too movement, but state that we all have a shared responsibility to not only recognize the enormity of this issue but to begin to work together to solve it.”
She said she has hopes that her daughter and her generation will not have #MeToo stories of their own.
Her speech began by noting on Oct. 18 they celebrated Persons Day in the House, the 88th anniversary of women being recognized as persons under the law in Canada, giving women the right to be appointed to the Senate.
“But law, and reality, can sometimes be divorced. Yes, we as women can and do hold public offices in this country,” she said in her speech. “But that does not mean that we are not subject to sexism, harassment, or bullying in our workplaces, our homes, our communities. What #MeToo shows us is that the work is far from over. Equality is not achieved just through legal decisions or legislation. Equality is not achieved by women just feeling empowered and safe enough to speak out. Equality will be achieved when we all recognize our shared responsibility to create a world where these stories are not the norm. When all members of our society, especially those who do not have a #MeToo story, understand that if we do nothing, we are complicit in a culture that has made these horrific stories an all too common shared experience.”
To do so will take more than the usual responses to sexual violence, she continued.
“We must look deeply at what it is in our society that has permitted this situation that so many women face, where they are not treated as persons, but as objects. And we must not be afraid to make changes so that we can build a better world where #MeToo is not the norm.”
Furstenau’s statement was met with a standing ovation showing support from members on both sides of the house.
Furstenau wasn’t the only one in the Cowichan Valley inspired to get their message out by the recent Weinstein scandal.
Warmland Women’s Support Services Society is offering various services under its Sexual Assault Advocate Program.
“If you choose to report a sexualized offence, our advocates can go with you to offer emotional support. You are not alone. We can help you connect with an investigating officer who may be able to take your statement at our office,” said program coordinator, Kendra Thomas.
Through the advocacy program, survivors of sexualized violence have a place to ask questions and explore options.
“We can help you understand your rights as a victim of crime, assist you to develop your response plan, and connect you with local resources. Sexualized trauma doesn’t have to own you,” Thomas said. “Liberation is within reach.”
Advocacy services, crisis and non-crisis accompaniment, counseling and group support is free and confidential. Contact Kendra Thomas 250-710-8177 or email kthomas@warmlandwomen.org for help.
sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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