As Canadians remember women who have suffered violence against them, a Vancouver women's group says British Columbia is not doing enough for those who need protection.
Hilla Kerner with Vancouver rape relief and women's shelter says the goverment fails women by keeping them poor with unliveable welfare rates.
She says the justice system is not any better.
"There is a shameful poor response that the police is offering to women who complain on violent men - both raped women and battered women getting very poor response".
Kerner says even if charges are brought against a violent man, they rarely end up in court, let alone in a conviction.
The day of action on violence against women started 21 years ago after 14 women were murdered at L'ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.