Editorial – “Be a DisruptHER” Might Take On A New Meaning at Northumberland Expo for Women

Pete Fisher
2 months ago
• Categories: Editorial

Today came to a sudden stop after a person sent a social media post.

The post was stating a person who is charged, not convicted, but charged with assault will be speaking at the Northumberland Expo for Women which takes place on October 19, and 20, 2024 (this weekend) at the Cobourg Community Centre.

The event boasts about being Northumberland’s premier women’s event with speakers and attendees like Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky, the Survivor Thrivers, YMCA Northumberland and the Cobourg Public Library just to name a few.

There will be speakers, workshops, market, art show and a café.

The event is being organized by Maria Papaioannoy and Signe Langford.

“I truly believe that the women in our community are accomplishing incredible things, and we deserve a platform to share our stories,” said Papaioannoy.

“Be a DisruptHER” is the slogan on the website.

With one of the speakers, the slogan might be the perfect title for the event.

In these days, violence of any kind is unacceptable.

Men against women, women against men.

Nothing ever should come to violence.

People can always disagree, and that is something we always will stand by and support to the fullest.

There doesn’t have to be a “winner” when it comes to a difference of opinion.

“Education through communication” should always triumph.

Talking to people who have different opinions is about learning.

But ever since receiving the social media post, it just doesn’t sit right.

In these days where violence of any kind should be discouraged, why would you have a speaker who is charged with assault at a event like this?

Again, this person is innocent until proven guilty.

But the video is compelling in what it shows of the event that took place on May 7, 2024.

The original released by Cobourg Police Service stated in a release that officers were requested to attend at the encampment on King Street East for report of an assault.

“Police investigation determined that after a brief verbal altercation the accused struck the victim, took his glasses and threw them.”

Jennifer Frenke was arrested and transported to the police station and charged with assault.

Reaching out to co-organizer Langford she stated, that she was aware of what the speaker was charged with and had viewed the video.

“We are not aware of any legal prohibition against her speaking or appearing in public. We don’t believe we are in contravention of anything.”

And that is absolutely true.

But Langford also issued a social media post stating that “some folks are not happy with a couple of speakers scheduled to appear at NEW this weekend and have stooped to bullying one of our sponsors.”

“This is nothing more than Grade A bullying.”

It’s a well known fact that women are assaulted many, many more times then men.

But should that take away from that fact that when a man is assaulted that support isn’t there?

If the genders were reversed, and a man was speaking at a event after being charged with assaulting a woman, would Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky, the Survivor Thrivers, YMCA Northumberland and the Cobourg Public Library be attending?

(Editor’s Note/Update: Also appearing at the event were Cobourg Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty, Councillor Miriam Mutton, Cobourg Public Library CAO Tammy Robinson and Port Hope Councillor Claire Holloway Wadhwani)