Anova Marks ‘We Believe Survivors Day’ on May 2
Anova Marks ‘We Believe Survivors Day’ on May 2
A call to stand with survivors in London and Middlesex and across Canada
At Anova, we believe survivors. We believe in an inclusive world of shared power. We believe you deserve to be heard, supported, and be able to live a life free from violence. We believe that coming forward takes courage—and that courage should be met with compassion, accountability, and action.
On May 2, 2025, during the Hockey Canada Trial, E.M. took the stand for the first time as a victim, facing five hockey players and their legal teams, and it marked more than a moment in a courtroom. It sparked a national movement across the gender-based violence sector, and communities came together in solidarity. Survivors saw themselves reflected in E.M. Voices that had long been silenced grew louder. And for many, it became a turning point, and an affirmation that their stories matter.
But one year later, the work is far from over. Survivors and the organizations that support them continue to face critical gaps. Funding for services remains insufficient to meet growing demands across the country. Our provincial and federal ministries have more work to do to reform legal systems that cannot manage or appropriately handle cases of sexual violence. As well, there continues to be no response from Hockey Canada after more than six months of waiting.
Accountability and reform has stalled, and survivors are still waiting. That is why Anova is officially marking May 2 as “We Believe Survivors Day” each year moving forward.
This day is a call to action. A reminder that belief is not passive; it requires us to listen, to speak out, to advocate, and to push for change at every level. It means challenging rape culture when we see it, demanding accountability from powerful institutions, and refusing to accept silence or inaction as the status quo. Belief becomes action when we use our voices to create safer communities for everyone.
We invite our community to join us by:
- Learning more at www.anovafuture.org/we-believe
- Share & use our toolkit
- Supporting local gender-based violence organizations
- Wearing teal in solidarity
- Speaking out about why you believe survivors
Together, we can continue building a future where survivors are not only heard—but believed.
Media Contact regarding We Believe Survivors Day:
Nikki Marsh or Allison Preyde
Anova: A Future Without Violence
nicolem@anovafuture.org | allisonp@anovafuture.org
www.anovafuture.org/we-believe
Download the PDF version of this press release here.