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Trail of candies pushes back darkness of abuse By SANDRA OMAND Speciat to The Champion It was a chance to remnember those who suffered and those who survived. It was also a time for tbose opposed to violence, and violence againat women in particular, to show support during Halton's Take Back Use Nigbt walk. About 250 women, men and cbildren took to tbe darkened Oakville streets, Useir candles flickering in tbe warm September nigbt, as tbey tbreaded tbeir way along Lakeabore between Coronation Park and Est Street. Cbanting slogans like, "Tbe Streets Belong to Us" and "Yes means yes, no means no, bowever we dress, wberever we go, Use mood was upbeat and optimnistic. Keynote speaker Dawna Speers, 53, of Mississauga, put a personal face to vio- lence by talking about ber i 9-year-old daugbter Monica, wbo was murdered by ber boyftiend in 199 1. Daughter preyed on by boyfriend Ms Speers aaid ber daugbter's story was one involving abuse of a young girl wbo bad low self-esteem and was preyed upon by a boyfriend wbo wanted control over ber. After abe left bim, sbe was stalked and eventually killed. Ms Speers bas created a film of ber daugbter' s story called "The Love Tbat Killa" in bopes it will prevent a similar tragedy. T'Me film was made in collabora- tion witb tbe National Film Board and tbe Ontario Women's Directorate. It will be sbown in bigb scbools and univeraities acroas Canada starting in November. Tbe film depicts Use wasning signa of an abusive relationsbip - symptoma tbat are not alwaya obvious. "It is obvious if sonieone punches you, but it is not so obvious if tbey emotionally abuse you," said Ms Speers. -Tbe emo- tional abuse ends up as isolation, intimidda- tion, tbreats and finally assault bebaviour." Relating Monica's story over and over again. bas not been easy for Ms Speers, but abe does it in remembrance of ber daugis- ter and as a reminder to otbers. "Monica was always a very caring, loy- ing girl and it is ber spirit wbicb cardes me to tell ber story and belp otbers not to walk in ber footatepa," said Ms Speers in an interview after ber speech. Both genders support cause People of varying ages and backgrounds joined in tbe trek. "It makes me feel really good that everyone is together like a family and I tbink it is ÎrAly, really good tbat men and women come out to support women's rigbts," said Julia Puffer, a I 6-year-old bigh achool student. Martina DeSouza, 36, came with ber two children from Burlington to attend tbe walk, feeling it was important for ber seven-year-old son and five-year-old daugbter to iearn tbat any kind of abuse or degradation is unacceptable. Wbile some of Use walkers were there for the first tixne, many, like 19-year old Justin Clarke of Oakville, had participated in past walks. "With ail the crazy stuff going on tbey need the support from ail men, aIl women, al cultures as everybody needa to support each otber," said Mr. Clarke, wbo was accompanied by a number of bis frienda. Tara Nolan, 22, bais also been on past walks, attendiiig ber firat wben abe was 17. Sbe said it is ber way of supporting odher women and making a statement tbat women are flot going -to be afraid any- more. But women in Scarborougb, recently faced with the 'bedroom rapiat', are afraid and in view of tbat some in the crowd expected a larger tumout. Stili, low attendance did flot stop partici- pants from enjoying the evening, which started at the band shell in Coronation Park with songs by Dream, Toronto folk singer El, dancing by the Loyola Drill Team and ended afiter the walk with singer Anjuli, and an open mike session. The evening waa organized by the Halton Rape Criais Centre. The Canadian Champçion, Tuesday, October 5. 109- I - EaU 547 Main St. E. MILTON 878u09311 OUL FURNACE' SALE ' $100 Off a 12 Months No lnterest or; a 4.9% Financing (Up to 5 Years) m.5 Years Furnace Maintenance Plan (Value of over $650) a FREE Thermostat coisctIWw dmoSfd <ý yOLVw ol purmh. Cul now fa beoom a colutoe US FR5. e e (905) 878-6380 e 1-800-465-6071