Abuse survivor hoping to 'Shine the Light' on woman abuse
A woman who escaped the depths of depression and suicide is being hailed as a true survivor as the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC) kicks off its 12th annual Shine the Light campaign.
After surviving genocide in Rwanda, life didn’t get much better for Shadia Keza, because when she moved in with her aunt in Uganda she was forced into prostitution.
“I wanted to die, that was the only way I could feel happy,” says Keza, who now lives in London
She says her aunt was the one who abused her, “Physical and emotionally, mentally and if I refused to do what she said I could sleep outside and no food.”
After moving to Canada there was more abuse at the hands of her husband, but things changed once she found the LAWC.
“They helped me a lot 'cause right now where I’m standing it’s because of them,” says Keza.
Jennifer Dunn, the executive director at LAWC, calls Keza a strong and courageous woman and that’s why she’s one of this year’s survivors for the Shine the Light campaign.
“It means so much when one woman is willing to come forward to share her story,” says Dunn. “Last year the London Abused Women’s Centre provided service to over 3,800 women and girls in person.”
The Shine the Light campaign kicks off on Nov. 1 with the lighting of the Tree of Hope at Victoria Park. After that businesses, homes and offices are urged to turn purple for the month. On Nov. 15 everyone is encouraged to wear the same colour.
“The goals of the campaign is to raise awareness of men’s violence against women, to show women that they’re not alone,” says Dunn.
Keza is hoping her story touches others saying, “I want other women or girls who went through (it) to understand that they are not alone, there will always be people there to help.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.