Montreal's June Michell honoured for helping survivors of conjugal violence
Co-founder of Women Aware, a survivor of conjugal violence, offers long-term support to other women in need
I've known her as Junie - a lovely woman who sings in the choir at Union United Church, who has greeted me with a big smile every time I've been at the church doing interviews for various stories.
I had no idea she survived a violent marriage, fled her home with her then five-year-old son to go to a shelter and spent years in counselling before going on to help thousands of other women by co-founding Women Aware, a support and advocacy centre for victims of domestic violence.
No wonder the Montreal Council of Women has named June Michell its Woman of the Year 2015.
About 20 years ago, after leaving her husband, Junie joined a CLSC support group that was supposed to meet for 6 to 8 weeks. But the women wanted to keep meeting and keep supporting each other. That led them to create Women Aware, which provides long-term support to victims of conjugal violence.
"When somebody you love hits you or beats you or abuses you ... the [images] don't go away. The heaviness in your heart it does not go away. That's with you for life," Junie said.
At the moment Junie is providing support to "Sophia," a woman whose identity CBC has agreed to protect because she fears for her safety after recently leaving a violent spouse.
Sophia was living in a different country when she reached out to Junie online for help.
She managed to escape to Montreal with her two children and counts on Junie's continued support as she struggles with flashbacks of the violence she suffered at home.
'Like a big sister'
"Your kids have nightmares, you have nightmares, there's little sleep," Sophia said.
Since arriving in Montreal, Junie and Women Aware have helped Sophia access clothing, food, counselling and toys.
Sophia admits she struggles with trust issues but Junie is the one person, other than her children, that she does trust.
"She's been more like a big sister to me. I think of her now as family and so do my children. I don't know where I would be without June," she said.
Junie hesitates to say much about herself except that she wants to smash any stereotypes of a battered woman.
"You've got every economic level, race, colour, creed, religion who has come in and out [of Women Aware]" Junie said.
Junie is focused on "paying it forward." She remembers receiving great support when she reached out for help many years ago and wants to send a message of hope.
She encourages women, including those wondering if they're in an abusive relationship, to reach out to Women Aware because, she said, it's easier to leave if you have help.
"Let us tell you what we know about walking this journey cause it takes years," she said.
Women Aware has followed some families for as long as 10 to 15 years.
"I'm inspired because if you see a woman come in who's crumbling and then slowly start to blossom again...you say 'alright that's a good thing,'" Junie said.
The Montreal Council of Women will present the Woman of the Year 2015 award to Junie at its annual luncheon this afternoon at the Hilton Garden Inn downtown.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
