Media Release: April 21, 2016
Re: Murder of Aerlaena Smith and Michael Milroy
HAMILTON, ONTARIO, April 21, 2016 – Hamilton’s Woman Abuse Working Group is angered and saddened by the recent murder of Aerlaena Smith and Michael Milroy on Saturday April 16, 2016.
According to police, Aerlaena Smith and Michael Milroy were shot and killed by Aerlaena’s intimate partner, who then committed suicide. An unidentified 70 year old woman was also shot inside the home and is currently in critical condition.
Violence against women is a pandemic issue in Canada. The Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG) believes woman abuse is gender-based violence, rooted in inequality, and that the ripple effect of this targeted violence is felt by family, friends, and the larger community. Again in Hamilton, we see another woman killed by her intimate partner, and the death and critical injury of extended family. We cannot minimize the devastating trauma, loss, and grief Aerlaena’s children will now carry throughout their lives because their mother was murdered.
WAWG denounces all acts of violence, and in particular violence against women and the damaging impacts on their children. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Aerlaena Smith and Michael Milroy.
WAWG is a coalition of more than twenty agencies in Hamilton, Ontario working to end violence against women and their children. If you, or someone you know, experience violence or abuse, there is help available.
Assaulted Women’s Helpline – 1-800-863-0511 (154 languages available)
Fem’aide – 1-ana877-336-2433
Good Shepherd Martha House – 905-523-8895
Interval House of Hamilton – 905-387-8881
Mission Services – Inasmuch House – 905-529-8149
Native Women’s Centre – 905-664-1114
www.wawg.ca
For further information contact:
Natasha Dobler
WAWG Co-Chair
c/o Women’s Centre of Hamilton 905-522-0127 x204
[email protected]
Yolisa de Jager
WAWG Co-Chair
c/o Good Shepherd Women’s Services 905-523-8766 x4227
[email protected]