Courtesy
Participants in a previous march against sexual violence walk together holding signs and banners, calling for justice, equality, and an end to abuse
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Coalition of Women’s Groups of Haute-Yamaska and Brome-Missisquoi is calling on residents to take a stand against sexual violence during an evening march through downtown Cowansville on Friday, Sept. 19.
The event is part of the provincial “Let’s refuse the unacceptable” campaign, launched by the Quebec Grouping of Sexual Assault Help and Advocacy Centres (RQCALACS) ahead of the annual Day of Action Against Sexual Violence Toward Women. Local organizers, including the CALACS des Rivières and other women’s support groups, hope the demonstration will unite the community in a visible demand for change.
Local leadership and participation
Vanessa Bergeron, a counsellor and prevention agent at CALACS des Rivières, has been helping coordinate the march. While she is a relatively new member of the team — having worked there for about two years — she says the organization has been active in the region for 35 years. CALACS des Rivières is part of a provincial network, but its services are tailored to Haute-Yamaska and Brome-Missisquoi.
According to a press release, this year’s march will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Davignon Park (Municipal Place) with an interactive sign-making activity. Bergeron says this creative session is meant to give participants “the occasion to create their own custom sign for the walk,” encouraging both personal expression and collective preparation.
From there, marchers will make their way through the city, stopping six times — once for each of the campaign’s key demands: improved access to justice for survivors; legislation against sexual assault in schools; concrete measures to address women’s poverty and precariousness; regularization of migrant status; protection of sexual and reproductive rights; and sustainable funding for community services.
At each stop — in front of sites such as a school, a pharmacy, a community organization, the legal aid office, and Service Canada — participants will call out examples of “the unacceptable,” from systemic barriers in the justice system to unsafe conditions for students in schools.
Making noise for change
To ensure their message is heard, the march will include live percussion. “We will have a musician with us playing percussion so that we can make some noise… so that people can hear us arrive,” Bergeron said.
Last year’s march, held in Granby, drew about 100 participants. Organizers expect a similar turnout in Cowansville, where the evening will end with an open microphone for survivors and supporters to share their experiences, as well as a collective banner that participants can decorate with messages of solidarity.
The event is organized by a coalition of local women’s organizations, including Maison Alice-Desmarais, Horizon pour Elle, CALACS des Rivières, Centre des femmes des Cantons, and Centre de femmes Entr’elles.
The scale of the problem
Bergeron notes that sexual violence remains a serious concern in the region. “It’s one in every three women in Quebec that has been a victim of sexual violence,” she said, adding that more than 90 per cent of victims are girls or women and that most knew their abuser beforehand, often within the family or in a position of authority.
In the past year alone, CALACS des Rivières received more than 200 requests for individual support from residents of Haute-Yamaska and Brome-Missisquoi. Over 70 of these were from teenagers, leading to more than 700 one-on-one counselling sessions. The organization also runs support groups, delivers prevention workshops in schools, participates in community events, and offers awareness training.
While prevention efforts in local schools are ongoing, Bergeron says the reality remains difficult. She pointed to a recent “big surge in recruitment for sexual exploitation and prostitution with minors in the area,” an issue that has prompted significant outreach on social media and targeted prevention initiatives.
Challenges in supporting victims
Working with minors presents unique challenges. “It’s always tricky with minors because… everybody gets involved,” Bergeron said, referring to the rapid involvement of multiple agencies, which can complicate efforts to respect a victim’s pace. CALACS provides emotional and psychosocial support without pressuring victims to file formal complaints.
She also noted the influence of certain social trends. “There’s a whole… alpha male thing going on too with the younger generation,” she said, describing it as another factor shaping their prevention work.
A call for action
Bergeron says her “ideal world” outcome would be to see all six of the campaign’s demands met, but acknowledges this is a long-term goal. In the meantime, events like the Cowansville march serve as both awareness-raising and solidarity-building efforts.
The march is open to everyone, and organizers encourage participants to bring creativity, energy, and a willingness to speak out. As Bergeron puts it, “Let’s stay united to make our voices heard.”
The Facebook event page for the march, as well as a video of last year’s event in Granby, are available online for those who want to learn more before attending.