By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Barb Barillie’s death at the hands of her husband in 1990 has not been in vain.
To honour their mother, the woman’s five children founded the Barb’s Benches Project – erecting a purple bench in Barillie’s Nova Scotia town – to raise awareness about the impacts of intimate partner violence against women.
Now there’s one in downtown Chatham.
At the bench unveiling last week, Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre executive director Karen Hunter said the project’s namesake liked to sit by the water to escape her husband’s abusive wrath.
“The Purple Bench project has spread across Canada and today it’s made its way to Chatham-Kent,” Hunter told the gathering. “The purple colour represents the comprehensive commitment to end partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. It symbolizes courage, survival, honour and a dedication to advocacy,” Hunter said, adding women, children and men can rest on the bench and know they are “not alone in their journey.”
Placed in a high traffic area in Zonta Park on King Street in Chatham, the bench features a QR code for easy access to local resources like the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre and Victim Services aimed at helping women facing intimate partner violence and human trafficking.
There’s plenty of data to show the need is there, with local agencies reporting an increase in calls for help across the board.
According to Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre executive director Linda Soulliere, 128,175 cases of intimate partner violence were reported in Canada in 2024. There were 1,913 cases in Chatham-Kent last year.
However, Soulliere said that’s the just the tip of iceberg, as statistics show only 10 per cent of incidents are reported.
“This is why we can’t stop in our work to end violence and why we continue to push support for justice,” Soulliere said.
Chatham-Kent police Insp. Greg Cranston, speaking on behalf of Chief Kirk Earley, said the colour purple represents “courage, peace and the dedication to anti-violence against women.
“Today is also recognizing Barb and all those who suffered, and supporting those who are healing and committing to preventing further harm,” Cranston said. “It’s a permanent reminder that violence has no place in our homes, our relationships or our community.”
On a personal note, the father of three teenagers said the bench will help spur the conversations necessary to end violence against women.
“It’s not confined to Chatham-Kent,” Cranston said. “It’s an issue that’s facing our nation and the world.”
The purple bench was funded by the Chatham-Kent Co-ordinating Committee to End Violence Against Women and was constructed by FabMaster Welding in Ridgetown. The dedication plaque and QR code was made by Ruby’s in Chatham. It was installed by the municipality.
Officials say they hope to place more benches in C-K, and the municipality has already committed to paying for the next installation.
According to Mayor Darrin Canniff funding will be provided through the Hydro One Community Fund.
“This is really important,” said Canniff of the installation. “It’s in a great spot to advocate for and to educate people. I hope many people go up to that and scan that because education is a big part what we do. We live in an amazing community but’s it’s fortunate we have to get together to talk about something like this. I hope someday we can eliminate this completely.”
