Message From Dr. Roz

Dr. Roz Roach, Executive Director of Dr. Roz’s Healing Place is the first Black woman in Canada to build a centre for abused women and children.

Message from Dr. Roz Roach

I have seen so many traumatized women and children come through our doors. Each one of them have experienced and/or witnessed some form of abuse and they have each demonstrated the negative impact violence can have on their emotional, physical and psychological well being.

I recognize that without treatment, intervention and proper supports in place, the healing process cannot begin. If the cycle of violence is not stopped, the perpetrators will keep perpetrating and the victims will stay traumatized.

I feel it is our responsibility as leaders, and as members of society to care for, support and to help our women and children through this difficult time in their lives.

Without your financial support, we cannot provide adequate services to help abused women and children on the path to healing. Thank you for your compassion and kindness, we couldn’t do it without you.

Remember that a life without violence and abuse is everyone’s right.

Dr. Roz's Statement Regarding the Elimination of Anti-Black Racism

As a Black woman, and Executive Director of Dr. Roz's Healing Place, I stand firm in my resistance to anti-Black racism. Being part of this movement to end violence against women and girls, Dr. Roz's Healing Place certainly works to ensure that the lives of women and girls are absolutely valued and protected from all forms of violence. I am also in full support of he Black Lives Matter movement because I understand that violence against Black bodies has been  an enduring and pervasive form of violence throughout the world  and right here in Canada. I do want to note that anti-Indigenous racism is another form of systemic racism that continues to victimize our Indigenous sisters and brothers.

Anti-Black racism is a form of racism directed at people of African descent and is rooted in the historical experience of enslavement, colonization, political, and social marginalization of Black people. Anti-Black racism is so deeply embedded in our institutions, policies, practices, and general ways of operating, that it has become normalized. It is important that we understand that actions, behaviours, and attitudes that are expressions of anti-Black racism are not only perpetuated by white bodies, institutions, and communities. This form of racism can also be found in racialized bodies, institutions, and communities. It is my unwavering commitment to continue to expose anti-Black racism and to do the work required to eliminate this scourge from the work that I do.

Dr. Roz's Healing Place stands in solidarity with all Women's organizations, institutions, and communities committed to naming and stomping out all forms of racism in general, and anti-Black racism in particular.

I call on all to join the struggle for change.

Peace!