McMaster remembers victims of violence

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/NinaDeVilliers07.jpg” caption=”Priscilla de Villiers and McMaster University president Peter George hold plaques commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Nina de Villiers Rose Garden. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]Students, staff and faculty gathered last Thursday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Nina de Villiers Rose Garden named after a McMaster student who was abducted and murdered in 1991.

Hosted by the Anti-Violence Network, the sombre ceremony included speeches from Nina's mother, Priscilla de Villiers, McMaster University president Peter George and the McMaster Students Union executive.

“This is a call to action on behalf of those who lost their lives to violence,” said Carol Wood, ecumenical chaplain of the McMaster University Chaplaincy Office and facilitator of the Anti-Violence Network.

Following her daughter's murder, Priscilla dedicated herself to preventing violence against others. She co-founded CAVEAT BC, an anti-violence organization.

“The goal was modest — to save one life,” said Priscilla. “The difficult thing about prevention is that you don't know how many lives you've saved.”

She added that recent school shootings at Virginia Tech and Dawson College have put violence in the media spotlight where it can be discussed openly.

“My daughter would be 34 now,” said Priscilla, adding that many of her daughter's friends are now successful professionals, wives and mothers. “That was taken away. That was a huge loss.”

She said the power to stop violence is in everyone's hands, not just the police and courts.

At the end of the ceremony, a rose bush was planted in the garden in memory of those who have lost their lives to violence and as a symbol of hope to prevent future acts of violence.