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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.