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Today marks 20-year anniversary of Victoria teen香蕉视频直播檚 murder

An event is being held today in the memory of Reena Virk, who was murdered 20 years ago in Victoria
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The Craigflower bridge site where Reena Virk was murdered. (Black Pressfile photo)

It香蕉视频直播檚 a tragedy that still evokes heartbreaking memories after 20 years.

Reena Virk was swarmed by a group of mainly girls under the Craigflower Bridge on Nov. 14, 1997. Two of her attackers 香蕉视频直播 Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski 香蕉视频直播 followed her along the shoreline where they continued the beating and held Reena香蕉视频直播檚 head under the water until she drowned. The 14-year-old Saanich girl香蕉视频直播檚 body was discovered eight days later farther up the Gorge Waterway.

香蕉视频直播淚 believe that the murder of Reena Virk had such a deep impact on the entire community that the healing and the recovery from it is ongoing,香蕉视频直播 said Rachel Calder, executive director of Artemis Place Society.

To mark the 20th anniversary of Reena香蕉视频直播檚 death, Artimis Place Society and Learning Through Loss have organized an event Nov. 14 at the heritage Craigflower Schoolhouse in Kosapsom Park. Remembering Reena: A Community香蕉视频直播檚 Commitment to Nonviolence will get underway at 1 p.m. featuring a number of speakers including Reena香蕉视频直播檚 father, Manjit Virk, and Education Minister Rob Fleming.

香蕉视频直播淚 believe that holding it at the place where Reena was killed creates a very powerful experience. And I think the trauma of her death there is still felt there. I know myself and many people say every time they drive over that bridge, they remember it,香蕉视频直播 said Calder. 香蕉视频直播淚 think gathering at the place of her murder can add a layer of healing and a new story to that place.香蕉视频直播

Organizers hope to honour Reena香蕉视频直播檚 life and memory by creating a space for continued learning and conversation.

香蕉视频直播淲e wanted to contribute to a different narrative on how to actually provide healing opportunities to youth who may be both victims and perpetrators,香蕉视频直播 said Shauna Janz, executive director of Learning Through Loss.

Janz points to a study that found up to 87 per cent of youth in the criminal justice system experienced a big loss in their life and didn香蕉视频直播檛 have the support or resources around to properly deal with it.

香蕉视频直播淲e recognize that oftentimes people who are perpetuating violence, it香蕉视频直播檚 because that香蕉视频直播檚 what they have a lived experience of or they have some kind of traumatic loss,香蕉视频直播 she said. 香蕉视频直播淗ow can we contribute to non-violence by providing healing opportunities so that youth can make healthy, life-affirming choices?香蕉视频直播

Calder said she hopes the event will also spark a discussion on inclusion, something Reena was desperately seeking.

香蕉视频直播淗ow could we have created a community that was more inclusive, where she felt she belonged and also that she was safe?香蕉视频直播 said Calder. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 hoping in her honour and in her memory, we can impact the community to create a more inclusive and a more safe place for all of our young people.香蕉视频直播

The groups are also asking for people to show their commitment to safe and inclusive communities on social media by using the hashtags: #iremember #reena and #icommit2nonviolence.

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An event will be held Nov. 14 to mark the 20th anniversary of Reena Virk香蕉视频直播檚 murder. (Handout photo)
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Manjit Virk and wife Suman at their home with Reena香蕉视频直播檚 parrot Smooch and a DVD about Reena. Black Press file photo


Dan Ebenal

About the Author: Dan Ebenal

Throughout my career, I've taken on roles as a reporter and editor in more than a dozen newsrooms across the province.
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