Using feminist action strategies!
Workplace violence, like any violence women are exposed to, is influenced by socialization, i.e., learning gender-specific roles and responsibilities. Sexist and sexual stereotypes are one way we learn these behaviours. As such, we must take them into consideration when addressing violence-related issues.
Consequently, in addition to the tools available to the members, e.g., grievances and the Safe Staffing Form, any strategies that are proposed to fight violence must include tried and tested feminist strategies. The key concepts we must remember are: break the silence, set your limits, act in solidarity and mobilize. With the help and energy of self-defence instructor Guylaine Martel, participants learned very helpful things to put their ideas into action.
Moreover, each participant made a commitment to themselves and wrote it on a banner, which will be used at future mobilization activities.