As the fifteen-year anniversary of the Montreal Massacre approaches, the decision as to how government funds are allocated to assist abused women and ultimately end violence against women becomes an even more poignant issue. December 6 has been proclaimed the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, since that day in 1989 when fourteen women were murdered by a lone man and anti-feminist. The Massacre is just one of the many profound changes occurring over the course almost one generation in Canada, surrounding the issue of violence against women. Today, violence against women is no longer considered an individual or gender problem. It is now considered a human rights issue, a crime, and indicator of social and structural dilemmas. It is a pervasive issue, present in all segments of Canadian society, with no racial, cultural or religious boundaries.
