END VIOLENCE TOGETHER

For The Dignity Of Every Woman

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Presentation Overview
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What Is Violence Against Women? How Common Is It? Why Focus on Violence Against Women? What Is The Impact? What Can We Do To End Violence Together?

Violence Against Women Includes:

Sexual Assault Violence in Relationships:
Also called Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse, Family Violence, Battering, Spousal Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence

Criminal Harassment or Stalking

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

Violence against women is a persistent and ongoing problem in Canada and around the world. It affects womens social and economic equality, physical and mental health, well-being and economic security.
Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006 Statistics Canada

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

Estimating the prevalence of violence against womenthe number of women in the population who are affected by violenceis challenging due to the very private nature of these experiences.
Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006 Statistics Canada

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

Victims' decisions to report the violence to criminal justice and social services depend on a variety of factors, some of which include fear of the offender, shame and embarrassment, and regional availability of services.
Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006 Statistics Canada

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

Almost 40% of women in Canada have been sexually assaulted since age 16 Approximately 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience some form of unwanted sexual contact before they reach 16.
Dangerous Domains: Violence Against Women in Canada Johnson, H., 1996

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

6% of sexual assaults are reported to the police in Canada (E Division, RCMP, 2005) In the year 2000, 24,000 sexual assaults were reported to police in Canada. (Statistics Canada) In the year 2000, 3,700 sexual assaults were reported to police in BC. (Statistics Canada)

This means that in the year 2000 over 400,000 women in Canada and over 61,000 women in BC were sexually assaulted.

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

61% of sexual offences reported to police in 2003 involved victims under 18 years old. About 80% of those victims were girls. In some First Nations communities in BC, over 90% of the women have experienced sexual violence. 53% of women who live with disabilities from birth have been raped, abused or assaulted. As with all forms of violence against women, immigrant women, refugee women, poor women and trans-gendered people are more vulnerable to sexual violence.

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

10,273 incidents of violence in relationships were reported to BC police in 2005:
9% increase since 2004 74% involved a male offender 16% involved a female offender represents 26% of all assaults in BC

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

Number of spousal homicide victims in Canada 1975- 2004 Newfoundland and Labrador Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Yukon Northwest Territories Nunavut

Female 15 6 62 52 497 753 123 98 244 293 9 22 4

Male 7 1 24 7 87 186 48 59 97 104 5 11 2

Canada

2,178

638

How Common Is Violence Against Women?

In 2004: 75% of criminal harassment (stalking) incidents reported to the police were directed at women 50% of the women were stalked by a person with whom they had an intimate relationship

Stalking is the number one risk factor for actual and attempted murders of women (McFarlane et. Al, 2002)
90% of people reported for stalking are men
Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends, Statistics Canada, 2006)

Two thirds (66%) of all criminal harassment incidents occurred at the victims home.

Sexual Assault Against Women and Children in BC, 2005

10% 2%

88%
Level 1 Sexual Assault: any forced sexual contact w ithout bodily harm Level 2 Sexual Assault: forced sexual contact causing or threatening to cause bodily harm using a w eapon (imitation or real)Level 3 Sexual Assault: forced sexual contact that causes aggravated bodily harm or endangers the life of the survivor or others Sexual Offences Against Children: sexual touching or interference, sexual exploitation and incest

Types of Violence Experienced by Women in Canada, 2004

Beaten, choked, used a gun/knife, sexually assaulted (99,060) 39%

Threatened, threw something (27,900) 11%

Pushed, shoved, slapped (101,600) 40% Kicked, bit, hit, hit with something (25,400) 10%

Rate of Criminal Harassment Against Women, By Age In Canada, 2004

45 years and over 14% under 25 years 41%

34 to 44 year olds 18%

25 to 34 year olds 27%

Why Focus On Women?

International Agencies such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and Amnesty International have identified violence against women as a global human rights issue.

Why Focus On Women?

Women are more likely than men to be the victims of the most severe forms of spousal assault, as well as spousal homicide, sexual assault and stalking.
Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006 Statistics Canada

Why Focus on Women?

Women are: 6 times more likely than men to report being sexually assaulted 5 times more likely to require medical attention as a result of assault

3 times more likely to be physically injured

Almost twice as likely to report being threatened with or having a gun or knife used against them Much more likely to fear for their lives or the lives of their children
Spousal Abuse: A Fact Sheet From the Department of Justice Canada

Why Focus on Women?

Gender-based violence is perhaps the most wide-spread and socially tolerated of human rights violations.
It both reflects and reinforces inequities between men and women and compromises the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims.
United Nations Population Fund (2005)

What is Violence Against Women?

Sexual Assault
Any form of sexual contact without a persons consent, including the threat of sexual contact without consent Can range from unwanted sexual touching to forced sexual intercourse

What is Violence Against Women? Sexual Assault

Level 1: Sexual Assault [s.271]
Level 2: Sexual Assault with a Weapon, Threats to a Third Party, or Causing Bodily Harm [s.272]

Level 3: Aggravated Sexual Assault [s.273]

What is Violence Against Women? Sexual Assault

151
152 153

155 163.1

Sexual interference with a person under age 14 Invitation to sexual touching with a person under age 14 Sexual exploitation of a person aged 14 and under 18 Incest Covers child pornography

What is Violence Against Women? Sexual Assault

Most of the women killed or seriously injured in the context of sexual violence in recent years have been members of marginalized groups, facing particular barriers that made it harder for them to access critical support systems.

What is Violence Against Women? Sexual Assault

The victims of William Pickton were sex trade workers and drug users, many of whom were Aboriginal women Most of the women who were murdered or have gone missing on Highway 16 are Aboriginal women The women and girls who were victimized by Donald Bakker were Vancouver area sex trade workers and under-age girls in Cambodia

What is Violence Against Women? Sexual Assault

Sex offences are less likely than other violent offences to result in charges against a suspect and adults charged with sex offences are less likley than other violent offenders to be found guilty Sex Trade workers are more at risk of violence and homicide than the general population and their cases are less likely to be solved.
Kong, Rebecca, Johnson, Holly, Beattie, Sara and Cardillo, Andrea. Sexual Offences in Canada. Juristat, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, 23:6. (2003).

What is the Impact? Sexual Assault

Psychological/emotional: Fear of physical injury, mutilation and/or death Anger Humiliation Shame Guilt Shock Sleep disturbances

What is the Impact? Sexual Assault

Serious physical injuries Unwanted pregnancies & miscarriages STDs including HIV/AIDS Headaches & fatigue Loss of appetite/nausea

What is the Impact? Sexual Assault

Self Blame Loss of hope Minimization/Denial Loss of a Sense of Esteem Loss of a Sense of Power Shattering of World View Loss of a Sense of Safety & Trust

What is the Impact? Sexual Assault

Addictions Self-esteem Self-injury Suicidal ideation Fears/anxiety Physical symptoms Dissociation experiences Sexual difficulties Eating disorders Emotional difficulties Sleep disturbances Relationship issues Parenting issues

What is the Impact? Sexual Assault

A partner may focus on the sexual nature of the crime more than the violent or dangerous aspects Partner may experience feelings of jealousy as a result of the attention and support the survivor receives Partner may experience the following reactions to the sexual assault: Disgust Mistrust Blame Disinterest

What is the Impact? Sexual Assault

Family members may experience: Anger Helplessness Shock Disbelief Guilt Fear These may be directed at the survivor

What is Violence Against Women? Violence In Relationships

Violence in Relationships
Physical assault: hitting, punching, choking, slapping, pulling hair Sexual assault: any form of forced sexual activity Threats and Intimidation Emotional abuse: insults, intimidation, control, isolation, mind games, put downs Financial abuse: controlling, stealing and withholding money Spiritual/cultural abuse: restricting spiritual or cultural practices or beliefs Murder

Violence In Relationships The Law

The Canadian Criminal Code has no specific offence called violence against women or spousal assault.
Criminal Code provisions that most commonly apply include the offences of assault, sexual assault, criminal harassment, threats of violence, forcible confinement and homicide.

Violence In Relationships Policy

The Criminal Justice System response in BC is guided by: The Attorney General Violence Against Women In Relationship (VAWIR) Policy The RCMP Violence In Relationship (VIR) Policy The Crown Counsel Spouse Assault Policy

Violence In Relationships
In recent years, there have been a number of dramatic & tragic deaths of women and children as a result of domestic violence:
Sherry Heron and Anna Adams in Mission Lorraine Moon in Alert Bay Denise Purdy in Nanaimo

In Quatsino, Sonya Handels six children were killed by her estranged husband who was troubled and abusive

Violence In Relationships
Barriers often make it difficult for women to access critical support systems. This was the case for all the women involved in the recent domestic violence tragedies:
- Sherry Heron suffered from physical disabilities related to injuries to her head and pelvis - Lorraine Moon was an Aboriginal woman living on

reserve
- Denise Purdy was an immigrant woman of colour - Sonya Handel and her children lived in a very isolated

rural setting

Violence In Relationships
The experiences of Heron, Moon, Purdy and Handel reflect the reality of many women in our culturally and geographically diverse province & highlight the need to provide pro-active outreach to assist women with disabilities, Aboriginal, immigrant and rural women

Coroners inquests and/or local inquiries revealed what were missing in all these cases: a coordinated response system a network that could identify and address risk and provide specialized support in a coordinated and productive way involving a variety of systems
These BC findings echoes similar inquests outcomes in Ontario

Violence In Relationships - Pregnancy

In Canada, 1 In Every 5 Women Assaulted By A Partner Is Assaulted During Pregnancy

Statistics Canada, Family Violence in Canada, 1999 Canadian Womens Foundations Violence Against Women Fact Sheet

Violence In Relationships - Separation

In Canada:
1,056 intimate partner homicides in a ten year period 846 women killed (80%) 210 men killed (20%) 70% of deaths had a history of domestic violence as noted by police*
Family Violence in Canada, A Statistical Profile, 2004 Statistics Canada

Violence In Relationships - Children

Death & Injury
In Quatsino, Jay Handel killed his six children.

Witnessing
Almost 40% of women assaulted by spouses said their children witnessed the violence against them (either directly or indirectly) and in many cases the violence was severe. In half of the cases of spousal violence against women that were witnessed by children, the woman feared for her life.

What is the Impact? Violence In Relationships

Physical & Psychological Effects
Health problems Self-harming behaviours Long-lasting effects More likely to commit suicide

Decrease in income Injury/permanent disability Death

What is the Impact? Violence In Relationships

Children who are exposed to violence in the home suffer from emotional trauma, have poor educational outcomes, and are at increased risk of using violence to solve problems.
Berman, H., J. Hardesty and J. Humphreys. 2004. Children of abused women. In Humphreys, J. and J. Campbell (eds.) Family Violence and Nursing Practice. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

What is Violence Against Women? Criminal Harassment

On August 1, 1993, the Criminal Code was amended to create the new offence of criminal harassment. It was introduced as a specific response to violence against women, particularly to domestic violence against women. However, the offence is not restricted to domestic violence and applies equally to all victims of criminal harassment.
Criminal Harassment: A Handbook For Police And Crown Prosecutors. Department of Justice Canada

What is Violence Against Women? Criminal Harassment

Examples of Criminal Harassment:

calling you over and over again, and perhaps hanging up whenever you answer the phone
contacting you on the Internet or through constant email messages

following you, your family or friends

leaving threatening voice messages sending you gifts you do not want

watching you or tracking where you go

threatening you, your children, family, pets or friends
Stalking is a Crime Called Criminal Harassment Department of Justice Canada

What is Violence Against Women? Criminal Harassment

While many crimes are defined by conduct that results in a very clear outcome (for example, murder), criminal harassment generally consists of repeated conduct that is carried out over a period of time and that causes victims to reasonably fear for their safety but does not necessarily result in physical injury.
Criminal Harassment: A Handbook For Police And Crown Prosecutors. Department of Justice Canada

What is Violence Against Women? Criminal Harassment

Before 1993, persons who engaged in stalking conduct might have been charged with one or more of the following offences: intimidation (section 423 of the Criminal Code); uttering threats (section 264.1); mischief (section 430); indecent or harassing phone calls (section 372); trespassing at night (section 177); and breach of recognizance (section 811).
Criminal Harassment: A Handbook For Police And Crown Prosecutors. Department of Justice Canada

What is the Impact? Criminal Harassment

Some common responses by victims to the trauma of being stalked include the following:
self-reproach; a tendency to downplay the impact of the stalking; interpretation of the stalking as a private matter; a sense of betrayal and stigma; anxiety and fear, due to the unpredictability of the stalkers conduct; feelings of being helpless and unable to control their lives; lack of confidence in police, resulting in a failure to report; inaction, due to a lack of awareness that the conduct is criminal; and denial or embarrassment.
Criminal Harassment: A Handbook For Police And Crown Prosecutors. Department of Justice Canada

Ending Violence Together Support Services

VictimLINK (1-800-563-0808) Over 400 service programs to assist in violence against women and children including:
Community-Based Victim Assistance Programs Stopping The Violence Counselling Outreach Programs Transition Houses Safe Homes Second Stage Housing Children Who Witness Violence

Helpline for Children (310-1234)

Ending Violence Together Support Services

Community Support Services Can Provide Practical Assistance for Survivors: development and/or revision of safety plan assistance with getting copies of court orders explanation of procedures and accompaniment to meetings with police, Crown, etc. assistance in completing forms liaison with systems court accompaniment, accompaniment to sentencing, hearing, if requested assistance with transportation, if requested provision of, or assistance in securing, translation where needed or available

Ending Violence Together Safety Planning

Support workers are trained to assist a woman to develop a plan which addresses her unique situation and risks A safety plan is important because it is easier to plan ahead than to plan while dealing with a crisis. Women are able to assess and adapt safety tips from other women who have abusive current and former partners.

Ending Violence Together Safety Planning

Will be different in every situation May change from day to day for a survivor Would take into account lifestyle, culture and challenges A worker can assist with:
Identifying potential risks Helping to identify possible strategies Helping to identify possible resources in the community

It is important to acknowledge that a survivor is an expert on their own life.

Ending Violence Together Coordination

Sexual assault does not fall neatly into the category of a health issue, counselling issue, criminal justice issue or human rights issue it is all of these. Therefore, no one system alone can provide an effective response to sexual assault. A consultative, coordinated or collaborative response from the health care, counselling and criminal justice systems will have the best chance of meeting the needs of a survivor of sexual assault.
Working Together to Respond to Sexual Assault Linda Light, June, 2000

Ending Violence Together Coordination

In rural areas, in particular, where a womans access to services may be problematic, the necessity for coordination, and developing and maintaining cooperative relationships between police and community agencies was identified as a priority. (Edelson & Frank, 1991)
Coordinating Community Responses to Domestic Violence: Lessons from Duluth and Beyond, Sage Publications, 1999

Ending Violence Together Coordination

This belief in the need for a collaborated approach is echoed by Aboriginal and Immigrant communities
It is not possible to effectively address violence against women while working in isolation

Ending Violence Together requires us to work collaboratively

Resources
Please feel free to contact us for:
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END VIOLENCE TOGETHER

FOR THE DIGNITY OF EVERY WOMAN

Funding for the production of this presentation was provided by the BC Ministry of Community Services and created by the BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs

Appendix

Child Sexual Abuse

Legally, child means anyone under 19
The Criminal Code of Canada includes the following offenses related to child sexual abuse:

Sec. 163 (163.1 163.1 (4.1): covers child pornography Bill C-2 also contains numerous other sections pertaining to child prostitution and pornography

Child Abuse
Refers to mistreatment, abuse, or neglect that a child or youth experiences while in the care of someone they either trust or depend on: parent, sibling, other relative, caregiver or guardian

Child Abuse
Examples include: Physical abuse Sexual abuse & exploitation Neglect Emotional abuse

Child Sexual Abuse

Legally, child means anyone under 19
The Criminal Code of Canada includes the following offenses related to child sexual abuse:

Bill C-2 Sec. 163 (163.1 163.1 (4.1): covers child pornography Bill C-2 also contains numerous other sections pertaining to child prostitution and pornography

Duty to Report
Child, Family and Community Service Act:

is BCs child protection legislation Duty to report:

where a person has reason to believe that a

child needs protection

Section 14:
anyone with a reason to believe that a child needs protection must report the circumstances to a child protection worker at the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)

Duty to Report
Sec. 13: (refer to the act for a comprehensive list)
where the child has been, or is likely to be, sexually abused or exploited by the childs parent
where the child has been, or is likely to be physically harmed, sexually abused, or sexually exploited by someone else and the childs parent does not protect the child

where the child is emotionally harmed by the parents conduct

For reporting purposes, in B.C. a child is anyone who is under 19 years of age
Sexual Assault: Victim Service Worker Handbook, Victim Services and Community programs Division, 2005