THE 2009 TORONTO GIRL CONFERENCE
Monday November 9TH 9 AM - 2:30 PM
The Lady Hamilton Ballroom
DAYS HOTEL TORONTO AIRPORT EAST
1677 Wilson Avenue, Toronto, ON
AT THIS YEAR’S EVENT…
TEACHERS NOW ATTEND FREE** (must attend with students)
SPECIAL GROUP DISCOUNTS AS LOW AS $20 PER GIRL
MORE SPEAKERS
MORE PERFORMERS
MORE VIDEO PRESENTATIONS
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT PAUL HENRY AT
US ONLINE AT
514-995-1911
OR VISIT
www.fearlesstiger.com
NOW VISITING 27 CITIES IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES
MONTREAL - OTTAWA - BELLEVILLE - OSHAWA - TORONTO - ST CATHARINES LONDON - GUELPH - PETERBOROUGH - KINGSTON - BOWMANVILLE - BRANTFORD
- NORTH BAY - SUDBURY - SAULT STE MARIE
A special teen girl violence against women conference specially
designed to meet the needs of girls ages 15 to 19 yrs
December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against
Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day coincides
with the sad anniversary of the death of 14 women who were tragically killed on
December 6, 1989 at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal.
Beyond commemorating the loss of these fourteen young lives, this day represents a
time to pause and reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society.
This event in includes presentations from local and national experts as well as
musical performances from some of Canada’s newest female artists
AN IDEAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR GRADE 9- 12 GIRLS
THIS YEAR’S TOPICS
A Girl’s Right to Stay Safe…Preventing Date Rape…Drug Induced Sexual Assault & Party
Safety…Growing up with Domestic Violence…Healthy Dating Relationships… Sexual Assault
Awareness Skills
Begins with a special memorial for the
victims of the December 6th massacre
Featuring presentations from local police and rape crisis
centres – SPEAKERS AND TOPICS SUBJECT TO
CHANGE
“Words can hurt” By Susan Kirwin, The Montreal Suburban Coutesy of The Montreal
Suburban, originally published 2005-DEC-14
Stephanie, a 17-year-old student at Rosemont High School, says her boyfriend sometimes calls her
a “bitch”
“It hurts even though he's joking,” she said. “I fall for it when he apologizes.” Stephanie said she
tries to ignore it but won't demand that he stop. “I don't want to risk breaking up just for that,” she
said. "Name calling and put-downs are prevalent in teen relationships, but many girls say they are
willing to put up with it. This and other issues on abusive relationships where the topic of discussion
at the Montreal Girl Conference, held recently at Ruby Foos. The event was attended by Grade 10
and 11
Kirsten Nielson, a self-defence coach at an assault prevention group called White Tiger, and a high
school teacher with the English Montreal School Board, spoke about her experience growing up
with violence. Many times, she watched her father abuse her mother; he once choked her until she
was unconscious, threw knives at her, and pushed her down the stairs.“
The police were called many nights at my house,” said Nielson. “I stayed up all night because I
wanted to make sure he didn't kill her. Nielson knew that she would never let a man beat her, but
when she got into her first serious relationship she discovered she didn't have a clear picture of
what a good relationship was.“
I had no idea what respect was,” said Nielson. “I became, in a sense, the abuser, and I also
became the abused. I let myself be disrespected, be criticized and I criticized." According to
statistics, approximately half of all women will endure a violent or abusive relationship in their
lifetime. Nielson hopes to educate teens about the signs of abuse, so they will have the courage to
recognize, and get out of, a bad relationship." She believes the portrayal of women in the media is
one of reasons for the continuance of violence and abuse in society. “We don't counteract this
misogynistic society,” said Nielson. “Girls buy into it... that's kind of scary"
Hannah Deegan, 16, from John Rennie High School, said verbal and emotional abuse is apparent
in teen relationships. “Lack of respect both ways is a big problem,” said Deegan. “There's also a lot
of bragging about breaking up for someone hotter or someone who is willing to go farther sexually."
Celia, 14, also from Rosemont, said that name-calling is a part of everyday life. “Girls are scared to
say stop again because the guy will take it in a bad way,” she said.
"Nielson said many girls know physical violence is wrong but they are willing to accept other kinds
of abuse. She said some girls are as abusive as the boys and described her first relationship as a
roller-coaster. “There was never any physical violence but we could fight for six hours straight,” said
Nielson. “I was rude, I was disrespectful. There was no line I wouldn't cross.”
"Sarah Weston 15, from LaSalle Catholic Comprehensive High School, said her friend has violent
fights with her boyfriend. “They will fight to the point where windows are broken. "Nielson
emphasized that any woman, weak or strong, could find herself in an abusive situation. She said
having the courage to get out of the relationship is what's important.
"Nielson's mother finally left her husband when she was 65; she had been with him since she was
15 years old. People don't understand why her mother endured the violence for so many years, but
Nielson understands to some degree. “I really hate what my father has done. But you don't
necessarily stop loving someone because they are abusive or violent.”
O KINGSTON Mon Nov 2 – Confederation Place Hotel
O BOWMANVILLE Tues Nov 3 – Howard Johnson Hotel
O NORTH BAY Weds Nov 4 – Best Western North Bay
O SUDBURY Thurs Nov 5 – Howard Johnson Plaza
O SAULT STE MARIE Fri Nov 6 – Great Northern Hotel
O TORONTO Mon Nov 9 – Days Hotel on Wilson
PLEASE CHECK WHICH
CITY YOU WILL BE
ATTENDING
  
O LONDON Tues NOV 10 - Ramada London
O BELLEVILLE Weds NOV 11 – Ramada Belleville
O OTTAWA Thurs NOV 12 - Embassy West Suites Hotel
O BRANTFORD Mon NOV 16 – Best Western Brant Inn
O PETERBOROUGH Tues NOV 17 – Market Place Theatre
O ST CATHARINES Weds NOV 18 - Quality Inn Parkway
O GUELPH Thurs NOV 19 - Best Western Brock Hotel
O MONTREAL MON NOV 23 – Hotel Ruby Foos
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
CONTACT NAME: ___________________ _____________ DEPT: _____________________
SCHOOL NAME: ______________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________
CITY / STATE OR PROV: ________________________ PHONE: ______________________
SIGNATURE: ________________________________
Email _______________________________________
OPTIONS
O I AM PAYING FOR 10 GIRLS, AND BRINGING 11 ($230)
O I AM PAYING FOR 30 GIRLS, AND BRINGING 35 ($690)
O I AM BRINGING _____ GIRLS AT $23 EACH = _______
O I AM AN ADULT NOT BRINGING A TEEN GIRL _____ X $50 = ____
$23 per girl- adults accompanying teen girls are free
not more than one adult admitted free per teen girl, additional adults pay student rate
$50 per person for adults not accompanied by teen girls
Larger groups – contact us
Make cheque payable to “The White Tiger Group”
PLEASE MAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM ALONG WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO:
The White Tiger Group
212 – 4944 Decarie Boulevard
Montreal, QC CANADA H3X 3T4
OFFICE (514) 685-8888 / CEL (514) 995-1911
wtiger@qc.aibn.com
www.fearlesstiger.com
NO REFUNDS / SPEAKERS, TIMES, TOPICS SUBJECT TO CHANGE CONTACT US DIRECTLY IF YOU REQUIRE HOTEL
ACCOMODATIONS / RECEIPTS WILL BE ISSUED ON THE CONFERENCE DAY – THIS IS A BINDING AGREEMENT
PLEASE CONTACT US TO VERIFY IF WE STILL HAVE SPACES PRIOR TO FILLING OUT THIS FORM. WE HAVE LIMITED SEATING WHICH
IS DISTRIBUTED ON A FIRST COME – FIRST SERVE – RESTURANTS ARE USUALLY A SHORT WALK FROM THE HOTEL
GIRL CONFERENCE EVENT OUTLINE - 8:45 DOORS OPEN
9:00 – 9:30 Registration and playing of PSA videos
9:30 – 9:45 Conference Introduction, National Anthem
Memorial Tribute to the victims of the Montreal Massacre of 1989
9:45 – 10:15 Staying Safe in Dangerous Situations
by Paul Henry Danylewich, Author and Program Director of The White Tiger Group
Learn what to say and do when approached by someone that begins to make you feel uncomfortable.
Through illustrations using role play scenarios participants will learn how to respond by setting limits and
being assertive.. Sometimes what you say, how you say it, where you look, how you stand can make all
difference between staying safe and being victimized
10:15 – 10:45 A Survivor’s Story
Hear young women’s story of abuse and learn how she found the courage to finally leave her abuser
10:45 – 11:15 Abusive Relationships and Stalking Behavior
by Deborah Thompson, North York Women’s Shelter
This presentation will focus of the cycle of violence, common characteristics associated with an abusive
personality. Danielle will explore many aspects of abusive relationships and offer advice for teens who may
be experiencing this type of abuse
11:15 – 11:35 Date Rape and Sexual Assault
by Erin Kuri, MA, CCC, , Durham Rape Crisis Centre
Over half of all women in Canada will be victimized by some type of unwanted sexual aggression at some
point in their lives – and girls between the ages of 16 to 24 are three times more likely to be victimized. This
presentation will provide some quick facts about date rape and sexual assault and address key issues like
consent and age differences
11:30 – 12:00 A Musical performance by Katie Sevigny
12:00 – 1:10 LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
1:10 – 1:30 What to Expect When You Call 911
by TBA
Only 1 in every 10 women contacts the police after a sexual assault. For many women, they are uncertain of
what is involved in the reporting process. This brief presentation is aimed at providing participants with a clear
understanding of when they should contact the police, what are the steps involved in reporting.
1:30 – 2:00 Self Defense 101: A Girls Gotta Do What A Girls Gotta Do
by Latifa Murray, Instructor of The White Tiger Group
Latifa will demonstrate some quick and simple techniques to help participants escape from violence.
2:00 – 2:30 Musical Performance by Sharahah
With a special musical performance by Michala Todd
EVENT OUTLINE SUBJECT TO CHANGE