Rise Up! The Story of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter

Fierce working-class feminist advocate, Lee Lakeman, tells the story of Canada’s oldest rape crisis centre, the uprising of women there, and their decades long battle to stay women-only. Brought to you by Julie Bindel and the Vancouver Lesbian Collective.

EPISODE ONE Beginnings

EPISODE TWO The Montreal Massacre

EPISODE THREE The Nixon Case

EPISODE FOUR The Future

Producer: Samantha Smith

Artwork: Nicole Jones

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebindel.substack.com/subscribe

Rise Up: The Story of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter

Fierce working-class feminist advocate, Lee Lakeman, tells the story of Canada’s oldest rape crisis centre, the uprising of women there, and their decades long battle to stay women-only.

By 2019, Vancouver Rape Relief had been supporting women for nearly five decades. Its crisis line and shelter had helped thousands, but that year, the City of Vancouver cut its funding—punishing the organisation for its women-only policy.

This episode explores how the collective stood firm in the face of growing political pressure. Activists like Lee Lakeman and Hilla Kerner refused to compromise their principles, insisting that spaces for women, run by women, remained essential in the fight against male violence.

Despite public backlash and financial hits, Vancouver Rape Relief endured—thanks to community support and a relentless commitment to its mission. The story is one of resilience, proving that even when institutions turn their backs, grassroots feminist organising can survive.

This final epsiode of the series reflects on the legacy of Lee Lakeman, a woman who dedicated her life to defending women’s rights. Her impact lives on in every woman who continues the fight.

Brought to you by Julie Bindel and the Vancouver Lesbian Collective.

Producer: Samantha Smith

Artwork: Nicole Jones

“Rise Up” Courtesy of Parachute Club

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebindel.substack.com/subscribe

Rise Up: The Story of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter

Fierce working-class feminist advocate, Lee Lakeman, tells the story of Canada’s oldest rape crisis centre, the uprising of women there, and their decades long battle to stay women-only.

By the mid-90s, Vancouver Rape Relief had spent over 20 years fighting male violence. But in 1995, they faced a new challenge—a legal battle that would test their core beliefs. Kimberley Nixon, a man who claimed to be a woman, applied to be a volunteer. When Rape Relief declined, Nixon filed a human rights complaint.

The case ignited fierce debate. Nixon argued it was discrimination; Rape Relief maintained it was about preserving their female-only peer-support model. After years of legal battles, the courts ultimately ruled in Rape Relief’s favour, affirming their right to determine their membership criteria.

The fallout was intense. While some saw Rape Relief’s stance as principled, others criticised it as exclusionary. The case exposed tensions in feminism, but ultimately strengthened the reputation of Vancouver Rape Relief as a strong and independent organisation for women.

Brought to you by Julie Bindel and the Vancouver Lesbian Collective.

Producer: Samantha Smith

Artwork: Nicole Jones

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebindel.substack.com/subscribe

RISE UP: THE STORY OF VANCOUVER RAPE RELIEF AND WOMEN’S SHELTER

Fierce working-class feminist advocate, Lee Lakeman, tells the story of Canada’s oldest rape crisis centre, the uprising of women there, and their decades long battle to stay women-only.

On December 6th, 1989, a gunman walked into a classroom at L’École Polytechnique in Montreal, separated the men from the women, and opened fire. Fourteen women were murdered simply for being women in a male-dominated space.

The media called it ‘senseless,’ but feminist groups like Vancouver Rape Relief knew the truth—this was not random. It was a deliberate act of misogynistic violence, a backlash against women’s progress. While politicians hesitated to name it, feminists took to the streets, holding vigils, reading the victims’ names, and demanding change.

In this episode, we explore how the massacre forced Canada to confront male violence as a systemic issue. We hear from activists like Lee Lakeman, who fought to name it for what it was—patriarchy pushing back against women’s right to exist and succeed.

The battle wasn’t just about one tragedy; it was about refusing to let violence against women be erased or dismissed ever again.

Brought to you by Julie Bindel and the Vancouver Lesbian Collective.

Producer: Samantha Smith

Artwork: Nicole Jones

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebindel.substack.com/subscribe

RISE UP! THE STORY OF VANCOUVER RAPE RELIEF AND WOMEN’S SHELTER

Welcome to Rise Up! The Story of Vancouver Rape Relief, a four-part series about one of Canada’s most groundbreaking feminist movements. Fierce working-class feminist advocate, Lee Lakeman, tells the story of Canada’s oldest rape crisis centre, the uprising of women there, and their decades long battle to stay women-only.

In this first episode, we go back to the 1970s, a time when violence against women was ignored, and survivors had nowhere to turn.

A small group of women in Vancouver decided to change that. Meeting in kitchens and community spaces, they launched one of Canada’s first rape crisis helplines—giving survivors a voice and demanding real change. But they didn’t stop there. They organised protests, confronted authorities, and built a movement that would shape the fight against gender-based violence.

It wasn’t easy. They faced pushback from the system, funding challenges, and even internal debates. But their determination turned a grassroots effort into a force that still fights for women’s safety and justice today.

Brought to you by Julie Bindel and the Vancouver Lesbian Collective.

Producer: Samantha Smith

Artwork: Nicole Jones

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit juliebindel.substack.com/subscribe