Former B.C. MLA pens children's book about gender-based violence

A couple of years after going public with her own story of abuse, former B.C. MLA Katrina Chen has penned a children's book addressing domestic violence. 

In 2022, Chen revealed she'd suffered from gender-based violence multiple times through the course of her life, and has since spoken publicly about the need to destigmatize this type of abuse. 

But since she went public about her experience, Chen said little has changed. 

"I think there have been a lot of conversations and reports," she told CBC's The Early Edition.  "I think it's time that we move on from the conversations and take concrete actions."

Having left politics in 2024, Chen now uses her voice and her name to advocate for support for domestic violence victims. This spring, she released her book, A Stronger Home. 

"I'm a big believer in breaking systemic inequities at an early age," she said."It's critical that we start from a young age to break the cycle of violence, to have a better understanding for our children to understand what's happening at home for prevention, and also for better understanding as a community as a whole to support survivors and their children to go through this very challenging journey."

Gender-based violence 'normalized'

According to the federal government, 80 per cent of people who had experienced intimate partner violence did not report it to police. About 44 per cent of women and girls over 15 who had been in an intimate relationship reported experiencing some form of abuse during the course of their lives, since age 15.

A recent independent report commissioned by the province found gender-based violence has been "normalized" in B.C.

"This is the longest human rights violation in human history. Gender-based violence touches way too many people," Chen said.

In A Stronger Home, Chen and co-author Elaine Su liken abusers to storms — unpredictable, sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, but always lurking. 

"It's morning now. Everything is quiet. But we know the storm is still close by," the book reads.

The story follows a boy and his mother, hiding from one such storm, looking for safer, stronger homes. 

"It's a more thoughtful way for children to understand the challenges and the trauma and the violence that's happening at home," Chen said. 

In the author's note, she mentions that her characters are "lucky."

"I hate to say the word lucky, but [it is] compared to many other women who have to go from shelter to shelter to be able to support themselves economically," Chen said.

For many, the consequences of gender-based violence can be fatal. On July 4, a Kelowna, B.C., woman was killed in what police described as a "highly visible and tragic event," and her family says she and the man involved had a pattern of domestic violence. 

Chen said she hopes the book educates young readers about gender-based violence, but also encourages change from lawmakers. 

"It's a conversation I think our society has to have."

If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. If you're affected by family or intimate partner violence, you can look for help through crisis lines and local support services.