Our Letters From Men campaign encourages allyship and unity by including men in the conversation, breaking down gender divides, and fostering a collective effort towards change.
We invite you to write a letter of support, solidarity, and kindness to survivors. Ending violence everywhere takes all of us. Your voice matters — be a part of the discussion.
Peter’s Letter
You Are Not Alone—We Stand With You
Dear Survivor,
I want to begin by saying something that you may not have heard enough: I believe you. Your story, your pain, your strength—it all matters. And you matter.
As a man, I know how important it is to stand up and say that intimate partner violence is never acceptable. Too often, the voices of survivors—especially women and marginalized communities—are dismissed or ignored, while the responsibility to end this violence falls solely on their shoulders. That’s not right. This fight doesn’t belong to survivors alone. It belongs to all of us.
Through my work with EVE (End Violence Everywhere), I am committed to being more than just an ally in name—I’m here to actively support and advocate for survivors like you. This isn’t just about statistics or policy changes. This is about you. About reclaiming your story, your voice, and your power.
I know that as a man, my voice can reach places where others might be silenced. That’s why I use it to call out the systems, behaviors, and silence that allow abuse to thrive. I don’t believe in standing on the sidelines—I believe in standing shoulder-to-shoulder with survivors, creating spaces where your truth is honored and your healing is supported.
You deserve safety, respect, and the freedom to live without fear. If you’ve ever felt like no one understands what you’ve been through, or that men don’t care—know that I do. And I’m not alone in this. There are many men ready to step up, listen, and take responsibility for being part of the solution.
But this isn’t just about standing with survivors—it’s a call to action for everyone. We need to challenge the silence and complicity that allow abuse to persist. We need to educate, advocate, and support those who are ready to break free but don’t know where to turn. Whether you’re a survivor, a friend, or someone ready to be part of the solution—there’s a place for you in this fight.
If you’re reading this and feeling alone, I want you to know: you don’t have to carry this by yourself. There is help. There is hope. And there is a community—men and women alike—ready to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Let’s end violence everywhere. Together.
In solidarity,
Peter Laneas
Vice President (Canada)
End Violence Everywhere (EVE)
Ish’s Letter
Dear Survivors,
You’re a beautiful, amazing, loving human beings. Your voices will be amplified and we will hold the government accountable for the injustices that they have failed to act on.
As a young man, I was raised by my mother and grandmother, they both taught me to uphold women and girls no matter what and to support the matriarchs who are our mothers, grandmothers, daughters, cousins and give life, nurture you and are there throughout your entire life.
I am here for you, I stand with you, I care about you and I love you all.
Together, untied we can achieve justice, accountability and systemic change.
Ish
Cameron’s Letter
Dear Survivor,
As a community member in Guelph, I am deeply concerned about the epidemic of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and rape. The absence of these critical issues from the provincial election debates and local Guelph discussions shows just how far we have to go in taking them seriously. The work that Guelph Women in Crisis has done—fighting for over a year just to get the city to acknowledge the severity of the problem—demonstrates the urgent need for action.
That’s why, as a candidate for the NDP, I was grateful to be contacted by Ending Violence Everywhere (EVE) and asked to support efforts to raise awareness and build a coalition to address these issues. My partner and I spoke with Cait and Ish from EVE and learned about the incredible initiatives they’re working on, including providing free EMDR therapy for groups of survivors. EMDR is a proven, effective treatment for PTSD, helping survivors reclaim their lives. This kind of therapy would be included in the universal mental health care program proposed in the Ontario NDP platform.
EVE is also advocating for a survivor spa—a space designed for early intervention, healing, and support for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. This is exactly the kind of trauma-informed approach that our court system, healthcare system, and shelters need. The impact of these resources on survivors' well-being would be profound.
I recognize my privilege as a white man in a society that too often silences, dismisses, and obstructs survivors seeking justice. These crimes are overwhelmingly committed by men, and too often, it is men who fail to listen, believe, and take meaningful action. I have committed myself to creating safer spaces where survivors feel empowered to come forward, are believed, and receive the support they need and deserve.
I always approach this work with a survivor-centered lens, knowing how crucial it is that survivors are met with compassion, care, and belief—no matter how they present their experiences. Open communication and safe spaces to share their stories are essential in mitigating trauma. A survivor spa could be a transformative part of this approach.
My understanding of these issues is also deeply personal. My partner is a survivor, and I have walked with her through her healing journey. I have seen firsthand how difficult that path can be—how scarce and inaccessible support services are, how healing is nonlinear, how triggers can arise unexpectedly, and how even sleep offers no escape from trauma. Too often, partners of survivors do not realize the immense challenge of navigating these realities without open communication, trauma-informed understanding, and proper support. Survivors frequently describe feeling like a part of them died the day they were assaulted. The persistent symptoms, shame, and emotional turmoil can feel inescapable, disrupting every facet of life. Without access to therapy, support, and early intervention, IPV, sexual assault, and rape can become a life sentence of PTSD, narrowing opportunities, relationships, and happiness.
Even if I were not a partner of a survivor, I would still be a steadfast advocate. My PhD in Global Health and Social Medicine has reinforced what I already knew: gendered violence is not only a justice issue—it is a healthcare issue, a housing issue, an education issue, and so much more. It affects survivors, their children, and entire generations through the transmission of trauma. Ending IPV, sexual assault, and rape must be a priority, and I am committed to doing my part.
In solidarity,
Cameron Spence
Jeff’s Letter
To Every Woman Who Has Endured, Fought, and Survived,
My name is Jeff Schamahorn. I’m a retired police officer, the founder of Horizon Protection and Training, and cofounder of MPowered For Women. I spent decades wearing a badge—responding to calls, enforcing laws, and doing what I believed was right. But I also saw firsthand how the system—intended to protect—often fell short, especially for women.
Too many of you have had to wait too long for justice. Too many have been questioned, disbelieved, retraumatized. And far too many have suffered in silence, carrying the weight of violence on your shoulders while the world looks away.
I want you to know: I see you. I hear you. And I believe you.
I may no longer wear a uniform, but my mission continues—louder and clearer than ever. I’ve committed the rest of my life to supporting women through empowerment-based training, education, and real-world self-defense strategies. Not because the burden should fall on your shoulders—but because until the world changes, I refuse to sit back and do nothing.
MPowered For Women was created to give you more than skills. It was built to give you options, confidence, and the tools to reclaim your space—physically, mentally, emotionally. But I want to be clear: my goal isn’t to teach you how to fight. It’s to stand beside you as you find your voice, your strength, and your safety again.
To every woman reading this—your story matters. Your healing matters. And your future matters. I am not here to speak for you. I am here to walk beside you, to challenge the broken systems I once served in, and to help create a world where you are not only safe—but respected, heard, and free.
With deepest respect and unwavering support,
Jeff Schamahorn
Founder, Horizon Protection and Training
Cofounder, MPowered For Women
Retired Police Officer, Ally, Advocate, Father, Grandfather