The front window of the London Abused Women's Centre is boarded up after being smashed by a vandal over the weekend. Photo submitted. The front window of the London Abused Women's Centre is boarded up after being smashed by a vandal over the weekend. Photo submitted.
London

Vandalism At Abused Women's Centre 'Disheartening'

An act of vandalism at the London Abused Women's Centre could leave some women in a life or death situation as needed repairs to the building could delay services.

Between 8pm Saturday and 9am Sunday, the double pane, custom front window of the agency's office on York St. was smashed.

"It is incredibly disheartening on so many fronts," said Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC). "We provide immediate access to service to all women in a very safe environment and we have a number of safety measures in place including cameras, bulletproof glass, and a secure entrance so that women will feel safe and secure coming into our building. So when the building is under attack it is almost as if they are under attack."

The agency is still waiting for an estimate on the cost to repair the broken window, but has been informed it will take at least three weeks for a new window to be delivered. No other businesses in the east-end plaza were damaged in the overnight attack.

"I feel that women are often targeted , and women's agencies are often targeted," said Walker. "We are trying not to be overly suspicious, but it is a concern to us that this was a targeted blow."

LAWC is still dealing with the aftermath of a bomb threat that was made against the agency last August.

London police are investigating the weekend vandalism and video surveillance from the agency's security camera is expected to be sent to investigators on Monday.

Financial resources that should have been used for services for abused women will now go to pay for the repair, as the agency does not have a fund for such unexpected costs. In addition to that, Walker notes the repair will have an impact on their ability to deliver services.

"When construction people are in the building it is not confidential for women to be in there. So we are going to have to make some rearrangements ," said Walker. "We want people to know when they commit acts of vandalism that it is not the cost of repair that is most significant. What is more significant is if we have to change around appointments to accommodate repair of the window that means some women will not have a safety plan provided to them when needed and in our area of work that can be a life and death situation."

Anyone who would like to make a donate to help cover the cost of repairing the broken window can do so by clicking here.

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