A solemn ceremony was held in Sarnia Thursday morning to mark the 29th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.
On December 6, 1989, a man shot and killed 14 women at Ecole Polytechnique.
Sarnia-Lambton Sexual Assault Survivors Centre Executive Director Michelle Batty was one of the guest speakers.
She said violence against women continues to be a problem in our society.
"The message is that violence is a chosen response and that everyone in our community needs to step up to the plate to work towards ending violence against women and children," said Batty. "We want to have a community and a culture of safety, equality and justice."
Batty said there are lots of things people can do to help victims of violence.
"If people are concerned they can support the person, suggest services that we have lots of in our community that they can access, and not be silent about this issue," said Batty. "Talk about it, and educate, and teach people that violence is unacceptable."
Allan McKeown from the Male Ally Coalition and Nancy Peters of the Native Friendship Centre also addressed the crowd.
Thursday's ceremony began at 9 a.m. at Sarnia City Hall, with the Canadian flag at half mast.