Halton’s Women’s Place hosts International Women’s Day luncheon

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 in recognition of the women’s rights movement.

In preparation for the day, Halton’s Women’s Place, a local shelter for abused women and children, held a luncheon on March 7.

The keynote speaker was a woman who nearly died from a domestic abuse knife attack. While the details are difficult to hear, Colette Martin says she is sharing her story of strength and survival, hoping that it will help others.

“He told me tonight’s the night you are going to die,” said Martin, “I can still see myself, hitting his hands so he would drop the knife, but he grabbed the biggest one, turned me around and cut my throat.”

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Martin was emotional but steady and confident as she shared the horrific details of her ex-boyfriend’s attempt to kill her, by stabbing her over 37 times.

“He grabbed me again and dragged me back to the end of the driveway, and that is where I had to beg for my life,” she said, “literally on my knees, telling him that I still loved him and I would never leave, he told me after cutting me everywhere, that he was going to take me into his car and that we were going to die together.”

The attack happened in 1997, and even though she says the trauma has not gone away, it’s her goal to tell her story to as many people as possible to prevent abuse from happening to them.

“I can still hear myself screaming and the smell of blood,” said Martin.

Laurie Hepburn, executive director of Halton’s Women’s Place, says sharing personal stories often helps with the healing process.

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“What we see at Halton’s Women’s Place is that every single time somebody shares their story, it inspires someone else to do the same, and to move forward and to heal and to grow,” said Hepburn.

Over 200 people were in the room to hear Martin’s story, meant to inspire and empower.

“I just think it’s so important to listen and allow women to be heard and share their message and really support them,” said Keisha Smith from Cogeco Connections.

Martin is from New Brunswick. After years of lobbying her provincial government, she was able to have a law made to help others. 

“It’s called Bill-17, and it’s disclosure to protect against intimate partner violence act,” said Martin.

Her goal is to have something similar to Bill-17 passed throughout Canada.

The Halton’s Women’s Place offers a 24-hour crisis line for those seeking assistance.