White ribbon campaign inspired by Montreal Massacre
The Story
In 1991 a group of men starts the White Ribbon Campaign as a symbol of men's opposition to male violence against women. Recently, a troubling study found that men assaulted one in seven women, but only one in 250 cases were reported. The campaign's impetus comes from these statistics and the Montreal Massacre. In this CBC Television report, an organizer explains the ribbons symbolize "the idea of men giving up their arms."
Program: CBC at Six
Broadcast Date: Nov. 27, 1991
Guest: Jan Richardson
Reporter: Jane Antoniak
Duration: 1:36
Did You know?
• The campaign encourages men and boys to wear a white ribbon from Nov. 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, until Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action of Violence Against Women on Dec. 6.
• From 1997 to 2001, 66 Ontario women died in domestic violence incidents.
• Some White Ribbon groups have discussions on Father's Day about the importance of men being caregivers.
• In 1998 the campaign began an annual benefit concert. At the 2002 concert, members of The Tea Party, Barenaked Ladies and Big Wreck performed, raising $30,000 for the cause.
More
The Montreal Massacre more
Lepine’s mother breaks her silence
In 2006, Monique Lepine discusses what it's like to be the mother of someone who caused so much suffering.
Were firearms too easy to acquire before the Montreal Massacre?
A report on gun control 10 years after the massacre.
Montreal Massacre monument unveiled 10 years later
The inaugurating ceremony of Place du 6 décembre at l'École Polytechnique.
Montreal Massacre victim employed as engineer
Nathalie Provost, who was shot during the Montreal Massacre, reflects on the incident and what she's doing five years later.
New gun law in wake of Montreal Massacre
Petitions started after the atrocity help Bill C-17 pass through Parliament.
Montreal Massacre murderer’s suicide note released
Letter reveals Marc Lepine had an "extreme hatred of women."
Students scrutinize Lady Godiva ride after Montreal Massacre
Two months after the Montreal Massacre, universities re-examine an engineering school tradition of a nearly naked woman riding on horseback…
Woman shot in Montreal Massacre watches classmates’ funeral
An engineering student who survived the massacre watches the service from her hospital bed.
Montreal Massacre killer was bossy with women
Marc Lepine's lab partner says he gave her orders.
University of Toronto women protest massacre in Montreal
A group at the University of Toronto calls the massacre an act of hatred against women.
Expert describes Montreal Massacre weapon
The model is popular with SWAT teams and vermin hunters.
Marc Lepine, mass murderer
The gunman fits a mass murderer's profile of revenge and hatred toward a particular group in society, according to a…
University women horrified by mass murder in Montreal
Students in Toronto worry that the killing of 14 women by an anti-feminist gunman represents a larger problem of violence…
Montreal Massacre eyewitness says Lepine spared male students
Barbara Frum interviews one student who survived the shooting.
1989: Gunman massacres 14 women at Montreal’s École Polytechnique
An enraged man enters a Montreal university and opens fire on female engineering students.