Community leaders, advocates, and residents gathered Tuesday morning in Harmony Square for the annual raising of the Wrapped in Courage flag, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The ceremony, held by the City of Brantford, is part of the Ontario-wide Wrapped in Courage campaign, which supports survivors of gender-based violence and calls for collective action to end abuse in all its forms.
The City of Brantford also issued a formal proclamation recognizing November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis opened the ceremony by acknowledging the decades-long role of Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services as one of the community’s most critical partners.
He highlighted Nova Vita’s history of providing shelter, crisis intervention, and long-term support for women and children, along with its ongoing leadership in prevention and transition programs.
Before reading the proclamation passed unanimously by City Council, Davis noted the organization’s expanding role, including future shelter-capacity growth through partnerships such as the Fox Ridge development.
He emphasized that leadership within the community, particularly from men, plays a fundamental role in breaking cycles of violence.
“A large part of this issue is men talking to men,” he said, stressing the importance of role-modelling respectful behaviours and challenging harmful attitudes within families and social circles.
After the proclamation, Nova Vita Executive Director Natasha Dobler addressed the gathering, stressing that gender-based violence remains a daily reality in Brantford.
Last year, Nova Vita answered 5,748 crisis and support calls and provided emergency shelter to 137 women and children. She said the numbers represent “people, families, and communities forever changed.”
Dobler noted that the province’s recent decision to formally recognize intimate partner and sexual violence as endemic followed years of advocacy from shelters and more than 106 municipalities, including Brantford.
“This acknowledgement matters,” she said.
“It tells survivors, ‘We see you, and we believe you.’”
She added that campaigns like Wrapped in Courage are essential because they reinforce the message that survivors are not alone and that communities share responsibility in preventing violence.
Dobler called for continued investment in emergency shelters, crisis lines, transitional supports, and prevention initiatives, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed policy responses that account for the intergenerational impacts of violence.
She also highlighted that certain groups, including Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomer women, gender-diverse individuals, and people with disabilities, face disproportionately high risks and require targeted supports.
“Home should be a place of safety, dignity, and love,” she said.
“For too many, it is where violence begins.”
As the clock tower struck 10 a.m., city officials, Nova Vita staff, community supporters, and councillors, including Deputy Mayor Rose Sicoli and Councillors Richard Carpenter, Mandy Samwell, and Brian Van Tilborg, gathered for the ceremonial raising of the Wrapped in Courage flag.
The Wrapped in Courage flag will remain raised throughout the 16 Days of Activism, which concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day.
