Walk honours Harrow family killed in case of intimate partner violence
A commemorative walk held in Harrow, Ont., on Saturday morning honoured a mother and her two children, who were killed in June.
About 200 people walked the pathway at the Harrow Soccer Complex as part of the walkathon, which raised funds for Hiatus House.
Carly Stannard-Walsh, 41, and her two children, Madison, 13, and Hunter, 8, were killed in their Harrow home in what police determined was a case of intimate partner violence.
“It is vital that women in abusive relationships realize how unsafe and even dangerous it is to stay in that kind of relationship,” Mary Stannard, Carly’s mother, said during brief remarks ahead of the walk.
“Hopefully, Carly, Madi and Hunter's story will help that realization.”
The 3.5-kilometre walk is part of Women Abuse Prevention Month, which aims to turn the community purple in an effort to raise more awareness, according to Hiatus House.
Community members taking part in the walk were dressed in purple, with some participants wearing shirts featuring the words “love shouldn’t hurt” and images of the Stannard-Walsh family.
Among those donning a commemorative shirt was James Stannard, Carly’s adopted brother.
“We had a bit of a falling out in the past, but we got back together in the last couple of years, which was really great considering we've recently lost them,” James said, reflecting on his relationship with his sister.
The two families would sometimes spend holidays together and their kids attended the same school, James said.
He noted a significant turnout on Saturday proved to be the latest showing of support from a community effort that’s “warmed” his heart since the tragedy in June.
“I'm glad that this is raising awareness for people, so they know that if they have a situation similar, and they don't talk to anybody about it, they have a quick way out so that this doesn't happen to them,” James said.
Funds raised from the walkathon will support Hiatus House in its efforts to build transitional housing, where a unit will be named in the family’s honour.
“So transitional housing will offer an apartment for women for about 18 to 24 months after they've left a violent relationship,” said Sylvie Guenther, Executive Director of Hiatus House.
As of about 1 p.m., more than $17,000 had been raised, with organizers expecting donations would exceed $20,000. The goal was originally set at $10,000.
While the walkathon generated “mixed emotions”, Guenther said events of this nature are important for growing awareness.
“It's empowering and it brings hope to see people come together like this and bring awareness to the issue because we need to keep talking about it so that people can overcome and make different decisions and know that there's help out there for them,” she said.
Hiatus House will continue to mark Women Abuse Prevention Month in the coming weeks, which includes a flag raising ceremony on Nov. 25 at City Hall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
Ontario dad removes hockey rink at heart of neighbour dispute
A Markham dad who drew the ire of neighbours and the city after installing a hockey rink in his backyard says the rink has now been taken down.
Motivated by obsession: Canadians accused in botched California murder plot in police custody
Two Canadians are in police custody in Monterey County, California, after a triple stabbing police say was motivated by a B.C. man's obsession with a woman he played video games with online.
Kingston, Ont. doctor in 'disbelief' after being ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
More RCMP and CBSA ‘human resources’ destined for border, Public Safety Minister LeBlanc says
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the federal government will 'absolutely' be adding more Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and RCMP ‘human resources’ at the border.
Belly fat linked to signs of Alzheimer’s 20 years before symptoms begin, study says
As the size of a person’s belly grows, the memory centre of their brain shrinks and beta amyloid and tau may appear — all of this occurring as early as a person’s 40s and 50s, well before any cognitive decline is apparent, according to new research.
Toronto Zoo shifts toward conservation, but critics want to eradicate animal captivity
The Toronto Zoo has been making a gradual, yet seismic shift towards prioritizing conservation and climate-change, focusing on breeding rare and endangered animals in the past few years. But critics say the zoo should focus all its resources on breeding animals for eventual release instead of keeping animals in captivity for display.
Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages, says otherwise there will be 'HELL TO PAY'
President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY."
AC/DC reveals 2025 North American tour. This Canadian city is the only one to make the cut
Big news for AC/DC fans as the heavy metal bigwigs announced Monday they will hit the road next spring. But as of now, there’s only one Canadian show on the docket.