This season of RAGE explores violence against women and girls in Canada — not as isolated incidents, but as patterns shaped by power, control, and systems that too often fail to intervene early.

We’re not just talking about what happens at the end of the story. We’re looking at everything that leads there — the language we use, the warning signs we miss, and the myths that stop us from recognizing harm clearly.

Across Canada, a woman or girl is killed roughly every two days. Many of these deaths are preventable. But prevention starts with recognition.

In this first episode, we explore the meaning of the word femicide and why naming gender-related killings matters in Canada. We examine how terms like “domestic dispute,” “family tragedy,” and “crime of passion” can minimize violence and shift focus away from patterns of coercive control, misogyny, entitlement, and escalating abuse.

The episode explores the realities of femicide in Canada, including the warning signs that are often present long before lethal violence occurs and the disproportionate impact on Indigenous women and girls. It also challenges the common belief that these deaths “came out of nowhere,” examining how many cases are preceded by identifiable patterns of control and escalation that are too often overlooked or dismissed.

Because language doesn’t just describe violence — it shapes whether we recognize it at all.

If we don’t name the pattern, we can’t interrupt the pattern. And if we can’t interrupt it, we can’t prevent it.

In the next episode, we examine how violence escalates — and why the warning signs are often there long before the moment of crisis.

In this episode of RAGE, hosts Jess and Emma are joined by Hanna, a Crisis Counsellor with Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, to unpack what it really means to break the cycle of violence.

Together, they explore how intimate partner violence is rarely a single incident — it’s a pattern shaped by power, control, fear, love, survival, and systemic barriers. The conversation takes on one of the most common — and harmful — questions survivors face: “Why did she stay?”

Hanna helps break down why this question misses the point, places responsibility on survivors instead of perpetrators, and ignores the very real risks and constraints people face when trying to leave. From emotional manipulation and financial dependence to safety concerns and community pressures, this episode challenges the myths that continue to shape public understanding of abuse.

This is a necessary conversation about accountability, compassion, and what breaking the cycle of violence actually requires — from individuals, communities, and systems.

In this episode of RAGE, we explore the history, significance, and ongoing impact of Take Back the Night—a global movement that began in the 1960s to challenge sexual violence and reclaim public spaces for women and marginalized communities. We’ll break down why this movement is still vital today, especially in light of rising intimate partner violence, high-profile cases like the Hockey Canada trial, and proposed cuts to WAGE funding that threaten the survival of women’s organizations across Canada.

We also discuss how local actions, like the Carleton Place Take Back the Night march on September 18, connect to national advocacy efforts, including the “Take Back the Budget” campaign. Join us as we highlight the importance of community, solidarity, and standing up for women’s rights—because the fight against sexual violence is far from over.

Event Details:
📅 Thursday, September 18 | 5–8 PM
📍 Town Hall Square Park, behind Carleton Place Town Hall
🚌 Free bus to Parliament Hill to show support for women’s programs nationwide

Whether you march locally or head to Ottawa, this episode emphasizes why showing up matters and how collective action can make a difference.

What is an inquest, and why does it matter in the fight against gender-based violence? In this episode of RAGE, we break down the purpose and process of inquests, exploring how they uncover systemic failures and lead to recommendations for change.

We take a close look at the CKW (Renfrew County) Inquest, which examined the 2015 murders of three women—Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam—by a man known to them. The inquest’s 86 recommendations shone a spotlight on Ontario’s urgent need for action to prevent intimate partner violence and femicide.

We are honoured to be joined by Pamela Cross—lawyer, author, and long-time advocate for women’s equality and safety. Pamela brings invaluable insight, drawing on her decades of work in law reform and violence against women advocacy.

Learn more about Pamela’s work:

• Her latest book: And Sometimes They Kill You

• Her blog: pamcross.ca/blog

Learn more about the inquest:

• Overview of the Renfrew County Inquest

• Read the 86 Recommendations

• Read the Rural Roots pamphlet to learn how rural realities impact gender-based violence and community safety.

In this episode of RAGE, we dig into what harm reduction really means — and why it matters far beyond substance use. Often misunderstood or reduced to needle exchanges and naloxone, harm reduction is a philosophy rooted in dignity, safety, and autonomy.

We explore how harm reduction shows up in the context of gender-based violence, sexual health, safety planning, and systems that too often punish rather than protect. From crisis work to community care, harm reduction offers a roadmap for meeting people where they’re at — without judgment.

This episode challenges narrow assumptions and expands the conversation around what it means to reduce harm, especially in a world that doesn’t always offer real choices.

In this episode of RAGE, we talk about femicide — what it means, why it matters, and why using the right language is so important. We break down recent statistics, look at how gender-based killings are reported (or not), and discuss why calling it femicide helps us better understand and respond to this ongoing crisis.

In this special Perspectives episode of RAGE, we honour Indigenous Peoples Day by focusing on the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S). We explore the systemic violence, colonial legacies, and gaps in justice that continue to put Indigenous lives at risk. Through powerful stories and critical reflection, we discuss the urgent need for accountability, safety, and lasting change. This episode is a call to action—to listen, to learn, and to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities demanding justice.

June is a time to celebrate love, identity, and community — but it’s also a time to confront the hard truths that often go unspoken. In this Pride Month episode, we dive into how gender-based violence shows up in LGBTQ+ relationships. We explore the unique barriers faced by queer and trans survivors, how systemic erasure makes it harder to get support, and why inclusive services are a necessity — not a luxury.

With a focus on Canadian resources and realities, this conversation sheds light on the intersections of identity, love, and harm — and why centring LGBTQ+ voices is crucial in GBV work.

Welcome to the very first episode of RAGE: Rural Advocacy for Gender Equality, the podcast by Lanark County Interval House where we amplify bold conversations about gender-based violence and rural advocacy.

This month, for Sexual Assault Prevention Month, we’re talking about the complexities of power, prevention, and consent. From everyday dynamics to high-profile cases, we ask: What does consent really look like? How does power distort it? And what can we do to shift the culture?

We’re also breaking down two major headlines:
The Diddy trial and its implications on celebrity, control, and survivor silence and The Hockey Canada case, accountability in sports culture, and what it means for youth

Hit play. Join the conversation. And let’s RAGE together.

Want to share your voice? Email us at [email protected]