Family of Cheryl Sheldon hopes memorial bench will further her legacy for good
Memorial bench unveiled outside Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre in London
A community crowdfunding campaign to memorialize the life of Cheryl Sheldon culminated on Wednesday with the unveiling of a commemorative park bench named in her honour.
Located outside Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre on Elizabeth Street in London, the bench will ensure Sheldon's life is not forgotten by the community, said Fabienne Haller.
"We cannot forget women who have been murdered. It is important their names are not forgotten, that society realizes that any woman is valuable," said Haller, formerly with the London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC).
Haller spearheaded the crowdfunding campaign alongside Megan Walker, LAWC's former executive director, who is vice chair of the London Police Services Board.
"Cheryl's life was valuable. She contributed to society for 62 years, and to have a commemorative bench for her, is just a small way for us to acknowledge that."
Haller and Walker unveiled the bench on Wednesday during a ceremony attended by several city councillors, area provincial and federal politicians, police officials, and Sheldon's brother, Mark.
A plaque near the bench reads, in Mark's words, "there is a hole in my heart where you will dwell eternally."
"I've never seen this kind of outpouring before. It's wonderful," said Mark, who travelled to London from Quebec for the ceremony.
"At least they'll have a place to go, people who knew her… It's nice to know that if I'm up here, I have this. It's like a little connection to my sister."
Funds raised by the campaign, dubbed "Stand Against Femicide," also paid for a proper headstone for Sheldon, installed at her place of burial in her hometown of Fitch Bay, Que.
Through the bench and her memory, Mark said he hoped his sister's life would go on to help others. "That's what's important. For me, she always made a difference."
Just after midnight on June 22, police located Sheldon with life-threatening injuries in her Wharncliffe Road North apartment. She was rushed to hospital and was pronounced dead.
A 44-year-old man who friends and neighbours identified as her boyfriend, George Kenneth Curtis, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in her death. His case is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.
Mark said he saw his sister in person last summer, but spoke with her frequently over the phone. He knew she had met a man, but didn't know much else about him. "That was never really much of a discussion," he said.
"I wish I could have done more. That's something I've got to deal with."
The City of London declared intimate partner violence and femicide an epidemic last year, and increased resources dedicated toward fighting the issue through the budget process, said Mayor Josh Morgan, who sits on the London Police Services Board.
The board paused its meeting for the ceremony, and Morgan was joined by police Chief Thai Truong and other department officials.
Although there is more municipalities can do, other levels of government also need to take action, Morgan said. Individual Londoners also have to do their part to combat misogyny and violence against women.
"All the actions government can take are great, but the actions we can take as individuals is what starts us down a path to a community that actually respects each and every person… no matter what their gender is," he said.
London West MPP Peggy Sattler co-sponsored a private member's bill in March calling on the Ford government to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. In April, it was referred to a standing committee, where it remains.
"In Nova Scotia, they brought in an intimate partner violence epidemic act, and they passed it in one day," Sattler said.
"It was never very clear to us why the government didn't just pass the bill. It's a one sentence bill. It's probably the shortest bill the Ontario Legislature has ever dealt with."
In the hours before her death, Sheldon contacted several agencies for help, including LAWC and Anova. She was referred to a 24-hour shelter for Indigenous women, and was told a bed was available, but never arrived.
"I feel helpless, sometimes. It's sometimes so hard for a woman to ask for help... Cheryl did," Haller said. "It's devastating that she couldn't get the help she needed."
When asked if she had a message for women in London who are looking to escape an abusive relationship, Haller replied, "You're strong. I believe in you. Never give up.
"Please reach out to somebody you feel comfortable with, an agency. You're valuable. You're worth life, and nothing else matters."
LISTEN: How a lack of supports for women fleeing abuse failed Cheryl Sheldon
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:
For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
In London, support is also available through Anova, Atlosha Native Family Healing Services, London Abused Women's Centre, Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre, and Victim Services of Middlesex-London.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
