Stop Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee of Perth County

08/26/2026

Join the 3rd annual Take Back the Night on Friday, September 18, from 6–8 p.m. at Market Square in Stratford.

Stand with survivors, raise awareness, and help build safer streets and public spaces for everyone. Gender-based violence is a priority area in our Community Safety and Well-Being Plan—addressing it requires a coordinated, community-wide commitment. To learn more about Community Safety and Well-Being visit https://www.cswb-stratfordperthstmarys.com/

This event is free and open to everyone.

If you are a survivor of violence in need of support, contact Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services- 519-271-5550.

07/31/2026

07/10/2026

We are so proud of our community!

06/22/2026

Dear Survivors,

We are collecting pieces of art for a new "No More Silence" gallery art wall at our Take Back the Night event this year. You can submit any piece of artwork (painting, drawing, poem, journaling, collage, etc.) that is meaningful for your healing.

You can drop off physical art pieces at the community doors at Optimism Place (270 Freeland Drive) or Emily Murphy Centre (67 Barron Street).

Submissions are due by Saturday, August 1st.

If you have questions or want to arrange a special drop-off time/location, please email Emily at [email protected] or Jen at [email protected].

We cannot wait to see your creativity and we hope you'll join us in Market Square on Friday September 18th starting at 6pm to see the display.

06/22/2026

Hope to see you there!

Join an important community conversation.

On June 23, 2026, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., community members are invited to attend Remembering Gladys Ryan at the Listowel Agricultural Hall, 180 Tremaine Ave. S.

Hosted by the Huron Perth Elder Abuse Prevention Network and the Grey Bruce Elder Abuse Prevention Network, this free community event recognizes the 20th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Seniors Month.

Through Forum Theatre, Sheatre will present scenes from a developing play designed to encourage dialogue, reflection, and community-based solutions to elder abuse and violence in later life.

This event supports an important Community Safety and Well-being priority: addressing gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence among older adults.

We encourage community members to attend, share, and support this important conversation as we work together to help prevent elder abuse and advance safety and well-being for all.

06/11/2026

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT!
Join us Friday September 18th for our 3rd Annual Take Back the Night event.

Take Back the Night is a global grassroots movement dedicated to ending sexual violence through rallies, to protest gender-based violence, shatter the stigma around sexual assault, and provide a safe space for survivors to share their stories.

Our event includes:
* Survivor Open Mic
* "No More Silence" Art Installation (by survivors)
* Community resources and supports on-site during the entire event
* Make your own protest sign and buttons
*March to end sexual violence in Perth

Stay tuned for more details!

For more information email: [email protected]

05/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for this event! Thank you to Rick Westhead for leading the conversation about harmful sports culture. Thank you to our sponsors Stratford Minor Hockey Association Stratford Municipal Golf Course Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services

Please reach out if you need support or want to continue this conversation in Perth County!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYBFpAcjRbg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

05/06/2026

Thank you Mr. Nater for supporting our event!

Yesterday evening, the Stop Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee of Perth County hosted an important discussion on “Tackling Sports Culture Together.” The special guest speaker was TSN’s Rick Westhead who I had the privilege of getting to know during my work on the Heritage Committee in 2022. His book, We Breed Lions, tackles the difficult reality of hockey culture in Canada. It’s worth a read for anyone involved in sport at any level.

Thank you to the Stop VAW Committee, Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services, and all the partner organizations for hosting this valuable session.

05/05/2026

JOIN US TODAY for a FREE community learning event – Tackling Sports Culture Together – featuring award-winning journalist and TSN senior sports correspondent Rick Westhead, as part of our Sexual Violence Prevention Month campaign.

Tuesday May 5th
6:30 to 9pm
Community Hall, Burnside Agriplex (357 McCarthy Road, Stratford)

Event Includes:
* Keynote address by Rick Westhead
* Panel discussion with local community advocates who work with sports-involved youth
* Presentation about Coaching Boys Into Men program by Interval House of Hamilton
* Audience Q&A
* Books for sale by Fanfare Books with a book signing
* Opportunity to connect with local resources
* Photography by Media by Michael (instagram: media.by.michael)

This event brings together Rick Westhead's landmark investigative reporting with an urgent and timely discussion about what respectful, accountable sports culture can and should look like.

We hope everyone involved in youth sports will join us for this powerful event that will shine a light on persistent issues within sports culture and spark a conversation about how we can move together from awareness to lasting change.

Proudly sponsored by:
Stratford Minor Hockey Association
Stratford Municipal Golf Course
Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services


No registration required. Free parking onsite. Everyone welcome.







For media inquiries and event details, please contact: [email protected]

05/05/2026

Today is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Indigenous women in Canada experience the highest rates of violence and femicide.

On Red Dress Day, and every day, we honour the lives and legacies of MMIWG2S by listening to their stories and commemorating their strength and spirits. We stand in solidarity with the families and communities who continue in the pursuit of justice, healing, and change.

To raise awareness and pay tribute: wear red, read the Calls for Justice in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/), and support Indigenous led organizations such as Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)