Advocates say words matter when it comes to labeling the recent death a femicide

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS)'s decision to classify a recent death as a femicide is being rejected by some advocates, arguing that it is time.

Jennifer Zabarylo was found dead in her home on Sunday evening. Her husband has been charged with first-degree murder.

The OPS stated that it considered her death a femicide because it “occurred in the context of domestic violence, which is one of the many forms of misogynistic killings.”

A spokesperson told CBC this was the first time Ottawa police had used the term to describe the death of a woman, and said the change was prompted by suggestions from partners related to violence against women.

The term femicide refers to the killing of a woman or girl because of her gender, but is sometimes used more broadly or narrowly, according to the Canadian Femicide Observatory.

Importance of prosecuting femicides

Heidi Illingworth, executive director of Ottawa Victim Services, says it is important for OPS to use this designation because it will make it easier for organizations to track these deaths, raise awareness and push the government for change.

Illingworth is a member of a violence against women committee that advises the OPS and said the group has been calling on police to identify and flag cases of femicide for some time.

“We need to do more to prevent this kind of violence because it is very worrying,” she said.

Illingworth said the use of the label was significant because it opened the door to finding solutions to the problem of femicide rather than ignoring it.

“We tend to keep domestic violence secret and private… And those of us who advocate for it say the opposite. We need to raise public awareness of this problem. It has reached epidemic proportions.”

“Ottawa's use of the term femicide is significant,” said Erin Lee, executive director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support. “We can't talk about something we can't name.”

Her organization provides support to women and their children affected by domestic violence.

She said Bill 173, which declares domestic violence an “epidemic” in the province, is a positive step. It follows a recommendation from the investigation into three murders in and around Renfrew County.

Ottawa Victim Services has received funding from the city to develop a bystander awareness program designed to help people safely intervene in situations before they become tragic, Illingworth said.

“There is still a lot of public education work that needs to be done,” she said. This is the only way to help people recognize whether they themselves – or their friends or family – are in a healthy relationship.

“This hidden abuse, violence and coercive control that occurs in families is a result of the patriarchal society we still live in and we must work to change it.”