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.
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