A “die-in” vigil was held outside the Longueuil courthouse Wednesday to honour Linda Benoit, who was found dead inside her Sainte-Catherine apartment last week, and other women killed in Quebec this year.
It comes a day after the 55-year-old arrested in Benoit’s case – her roommate – was declared unfit to stand trial.
“Sometimes we think that it’s not possible that I’m going to go through that. But it is,” said Jennifer-Ann Dooling, outreach worker at la Re-Source. “So, that’s why it’s important to let people know that the shelters, there’s lines that they can call.
“It’s 24/7, so they can call us and put words on what they’re going through.”
The Sûreté du Québec is confirming nine femicides in Quebec so far this year, but the Re-Source organization’s count is at 21 – with one victim having survived an incident. It’s a problem that is invisible and it could happen to anyone, said Dooling.
“I think, actually, people are actually starting to recognize that it is a problem and that it does exist. As a neighbour, a friend, a sister… because actually domestic violence is something that is in the intimacy, so it’s inside the house.
“But people don’t want to bother, disturbing or getting involved in a situation, but actually that’s what we have to do.”
Wednesday’s “die-in” vigil saw participants lie on the ground in chalk outlines holding the names of women who were killed.
The man suspected of murdering Benoit, 55-year-old Eric Biscotti has not been formally charged with the crime, but a treatment order was issued for him.
If after the court-ordered treatment, Biscotti is able to understand the nature of the actions he allegedly committed, then legal proceedings will continue. He’s due back in court on Nov. 14.
If you or someone you know needs help call Re-Source at 450-699-0908 or the SOS Violence Conjugale at 1-800-363-9010.
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