Youth worker Alisha Brooks remembered for her work to end domestic violence

BY PAUL JUNOR

The death of youth worker Alisha Brooks on Sunday, December 8^th, 2024 has sent shockwaves throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Her untimely passing at the hands of Aaron Shea who was out on statutory release with a history of intimate partner violence is even more troubling. Brooks was actively involved in a national campaign against domestic violence and was a strong advocate of the Safe at Home Program run by the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.

Nadia Formigoni, spokesperson for the Safe at Home program which provides help to children and families who are exposed to domestic violence shared, “She was a fierce advocate.” She highlighted her “resilience, leadership and generosity of spirit.?

The death of Brooks has put a spotlight on the troubling social issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). In fact, November has been officially recognized as IPV Awareness month. According to the World Health Organization (2019) it is a major global public health concern as it affects millions of people and can result in immediate and long-lasting health, social and economic consequences.

A fact sheet on IPV prepared by the Government of Canada describes IPV as spousal, or domestic violence, and is a prevalent form of gender-based violence (GBV). It refers to multiple forms of harm caused by a current, or former intimate partner. Some of the relationships in which it can occur include:

• Within a marriage, common-law or dating relationship
• Regardless of the gender and sexual orientation of the partner
• At any time during a relationship and even after it ended
• Whether, or not partner live together or are sexually intimate with one another

There are diverse spaces in which it can occur such as: public, private or online. It may include the following:

• Physical abuse
• Criminal harassment (stalking)
• Sexual violence
• Emotional/psychological abuse
• Financial (economic) abuse
• Spiritual abuse
• Reproductive coercion
• Coercive control
• Technology-facilitated violence (cyberviolence)

The following data was reported to Statistics Canada by police forces:

• In 2023,123,319 people aged 15 and older were victims of IPV of which 78% of the victims were women.
• Between 2019 and 2023, there were 979 people who were victims of IPV homicide of which 73% were women.

There was a special tribute to Brooks by CHEERS (Creating Hope, Ensuring Excellence & Roads to Success), which is a community-based mentoring program sponsored by Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre where she worked as an outreach worker from May 4^th, 2019, for two years. The FB post reads, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the loss of one of our cofounding members, Alisha Brooks. Alisha was a beacon of light, a positive force for change, and an inspiration to everyone whose life she touched. Tragically her life was senselessly cut short due to a domestic situation that turned fatal.”

Natalie Johnson posted a tribute to Brooks on December 13^th, 2024, on her Facebook page. She writes, “Precious Aisha. We will always remember your beautiful smile. We are heartbroken, saddened with what happened and we are also angry about what took place. We continue to keep the family and everyone in our prayers during this difficult time.”

There was a message posted by Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre on its FB page. The message states, “We are saddened to have lost a long-time community member. She has many family members in our community and our condolences go out to everyone. We will miss seeing her around and keep the well-being of her daughter close to our hearts and support however best we can.”

A Go Fund Me page was launched by Veronica Brooks, mother of Alisha on Tuesday, December 10^th. She writes, “My daughter Alisha was the most vibrant, outspoken and welcoming person in any and every room. She lit up the room with her laugh alone! Whether it was a party, or a one-on-one conversation, she made you feel seen and brought a smile to your face. She was simply the light of many lives as we had the privilege of knowing her. You’ll miss her laugh, but her friends and our family will miss her every second of every day.”

Veronica describes positive aspects of her daughter. She notes, “Alisha worked so hard for all those she helped at work, from youth to new refugees. Alisha was a vital member of her community. Our family and her daughter will struggle immensely in her absence. Our family is seeking to raise funds to raise financial support during this tragic time.”