Sault rally hears from victims of violence

Rallies by a group called Voices Against Violence took place across the country on Monday, including Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

In the Sault, the issue of intimate partner violence has become a high-profile discussion following multiple tragedies that took a number of lives and shattered many families.

Rallies by a group called Voices Against Violence took place across the country on Monday, including Sault Ste. Marie. (Photo from video)

Almost a year after losing his daughter, Angie, to a mass-murderer stemming from intimate partner violence, Brian Sweeney said he still aims to help other families.

A community of support was on hand at the Sault rally, including many individuals who have experienced abuse.

"I spent so long trying to have my story heard, and it took me a while to be able to feel comfortable enough (to) speak up about everything and … just to be able to have that story told," said Courtney Gaudreau, a sexual assault survivor.

"And now, I just, I want to help so many other people do the same thing. I don't want anybody else to feel the way that I felt."

Organizers said the event will be an annual gathering in the Sault and while they're proud of the turnout in the first year, they hope for continual growth.

"I don't think there can be enough events like this," said Karen Bird of Nakehndan - Knowing Your Truth.

"The more people that know about it, the more people that speak about it, the more people that feel comfortable standing up for others and advocating."

Rallies by a group called Voices Against Violence took place across the country on Monday, including Sault Ste. Marie. (Photo from video)

"And you can't get that confidence or feeling of strength to advocate unless you attend events like this and educate yourself and become more aware."

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"For somebody like myself speaking out, it helps bring them together just to show it's not just a women's issue," said Dan Jennings, who lost his daughter, Caitlin Jennings, to intimate partner violence last year.

"It's the men are doing a lot of the victimizing, so we can change that mental state before it happens. We've already saved so many lives at that point."

'Angie’s Angels' and 'Caitlin’s Herd' have both played key roles in pressuring the government to make changes that will reduce intimate partner violence. They said Monday’s rallies show they won’t let up.

"Changes come through politics," said Brian Sweeney, father of Angie Sweeney.

"The louder and bigger voice that we are, the more attention we're going to get. Let's face it -- the squeaky bearing gets the grease. Well, I intend to be a noisy bird."