One minute you are a balanced functioning member of society; the next, with no warning, you become a victim of violent crime,

On October 7, 1991, our daughter Monica was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Our whole world changed in an instant. Shock and stunning disbelief enveloped us in a fog of unreality. Our baby was dead.

Shortly after our daughter’s death, I joined CAVEAT (Canadians Against Violence.) I developed Monica’s story so that others would not walk in her footsteps. Eight years later, the story evolved into the award-winning National Film Board documentary, A Love That Kills, which tells the tragic story of Monica and identifies warning signs of abusive relationships. Wherever this film is presented, the impact is powerful. Young men and young women from every culture and socio-economic group come forward to share their personal experiences and to ask for help to deal with violence.

We believe that young people need positive role models, accurate information, access to resources and opportunities to talk about their experiences and their values with their peers and with adults.

We have developed the CHOICES For Positive Youth Relationships to enhance the learning opportunities of the film and to encourage the development of skills and attitudes among young people that will foster safe and responsible choices about interpersonal relationships.

It is our hope that the CHOICES For Positive Youth Relationships program will serve as a catalyst for discussion and action so that youth can develop the resources, skills and sense of self-worth that ultimately will lead them to make and sustain positive relationship choices.

I believe that we all have an obligation to support our youth, so that they can make strong choices and resolve conflicts without abuse and violence. When we all work together as a community team, we create a secure safety net for our children and grandchildren.

I invite you, as you use the Facilitator’s Guide, to communicate with the Speers Society, share your experiences and offer alternative suggestions for programming that you have found to be effective.