On December 6, we remember:

  • Geneviève Bergeron
  • Hélène Colgan
  • Nathalie Croteau
  • Barbara Daigneault
  • Anne-Marie Edward
  • Maud Haviernick
  • Maryse Laganière
  • Maryse Leclair
  • Anne-Marie Lemay
  • Sonia Pelletier
  • Michèle Richard
  • Annie St-Arneault
  • Annie Turcotte
  • Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz

These 14 young women were murdered in a horrific act of gender-based violence (also known as femicide) at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989. We mourn their loss and remember their lives, and reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy. In Canada and around the world, women, girls, LGBTQ2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, plus) and gender-diverse individuals face violence and discrimination. Femicide is recognized internationally by the United Nations as the most extreme form of violence and discrimination against women and girls. Its definition varies across disciplines and world regions, but broadly captures the killing of females, primarily by men, because they are female.

The is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.

King’s University College is committed to protecting our community and to the advancement of knowledge and engagement in the open pursuit of truth and the discovery, and the sharing of knowledge in service to humanity as outlined in King’s Mission. We acknowledge the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. At King’s we teach and research women’s studies, sociology, social justice and peace and other subject areas to affirm gender diversity, end hatred and violence and make our community safer for all. The tragedy of l'École Polytechnique pushes us to advocate and educate for increased safety of our community. This is a time for us to take action.

Understanding Femicide

The Cardinal Carter Library has a about the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, 16 Days of Activism and gender-based and sexual violence - they're listed under "16 Days of Activism - GBV."

Dr. Jordan Fairbairn, in the Department of Sociology, spoke to a number of media outlets about these issues in the past; here are two of the articles:

  • "" - this article quotes Dr. Jordan Fairbairn, associate professor in the Department of Sociology at King’s University College
  • "" - co-written by Dr. Jordan Fairbairn, 51视频; King's alumna Ciara Boyd '18; Dr. Myrna Dawson, University of Guelph; and Dr. Yasmin Jiwani, Concordia University; republished in the , and , among other print and digital publications

King's Campus Resources

King’s has on-campus resources to help all members of our community:

King’s is also a participant in .

Western's  conducts research that investigates systemic and structural barriers to the safety of women and children,

Resources and Books from the Library


King’s HV6535.C3O4 2006


King’s HV7439.C3R38


Brescia HV6535.C2M24


Weldon PR9299.1.F667F56 2014


Online video


Online video

General books on Gender-Based Violence:


King’s GN484.J85 2019


King’s HM1116.U53 2015


King’s HQ281.S745 2018         


King’s HQ766 .H47 2018


King’s HQ1155.R87 2019


King’s HQ1742.B394 2015


King’s HV1445.B68 2016


King’s HV6197.P18J34 2008


King’s HV6250.4.W65B77 2018


King’s HV6250.4.W65H663 2014


King’s HV6250.4.W65M477 2009


King’s HV6250.4.W65S5235 2018


King’s HV6250.4.W65W4654 2015


King’s HV6250.4.W65W82 2018


King’s HV6433.I722O88 2018


King’s HV6626.I63 2018


King’s HV6626.P37


King’s LB2345.C75 2016


King’s LB2345.3.R37C36 2016


King’s LB2345.3.R37M56 2018


King’s LB2345.3.R37P47 2015


King’s LB2345.3.R37S49 2017


Weldon BF575.S45S524 2021


Weldon HM1116 .H355 2019


Weldon HQ1075.G4666 2020


Brescia HV6626.23.C3 C45 2020


Brescia KF9322.P76 2019


Weldon NX650.S53D57 2018

Recent News