Police services attend domestic violence forum

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A conference sponsored by the Ontario attorney general's victim services division was held in Little Current Feb. 20-21.

The police education awareness workshop was designed to improve communication between frontline officers and community social service agencies.

Shauna Pitawanakwat, co-ordinator of the Manitoulin-Espanola Victim Witness Assistance Program, welcomed 112 delegates from Northeastern Ontario to the assembly. Representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police, First Nations police services, child and family workers, sexual assault counsellors and volunteer crisis workers heard several guest speakers address the roots of domestic violence and criminal harassment.

A graduate of Sault College and Nipissing University, Pitawanakwat has worked in youth programs and addiction prevention programs. She serves as the co-lead for the district's domestic violence court advisory committee. Originally from Mnidoo Minising, she also participates in cross-cultural teaching seminars.

Pitawanakwat reported that the ministry expects to have victim witness assistance programs in 54 jurisdictions by next year.

Currently 42 sites have programs. She is responsible for victim services on Manitoulin and the North Shore, she told the gathering at the Little Current Howland Recreation Centre. "The service is new so there are still a few bumps to smooth out," she said.

Her work involves liaison with three crown attorneys and six police divisions.

"Keep in mind that the North is unique and people face a different situation from our southern counterparts," she said. "Women in the North have isolation issues and ties to the land; there are many rural realities to address."

The victim witness assistance program was set up to help individuals involved in a criminal case, either as a victim of a crime or as a witness called upon to testify.

Victims' rights advocates had lobbied for many years to sensitize the attorney general's office about the confusing and frightening nature of the criminal justice system.

Some of the innovations include tours of the courtroom, separate waiting areas for victims and provision of copies of bail conditions and probation orders to victims. Above all, an effort is made to provide on-going emotional support for victims.

Pitawanaquat explains the roles and responsibilities of court personnel for victims and translates court jargon and terminology. In addition, she assists clients with victim impact statements. "We try to reach the victim right away to ease any concerns they may have," she said. "We keep tabs on all court appearances so the victim has less stress; we let them know we are on top of it. And we let them know they are not forgotten in the process."

Manitoulin tribal police services were well-represented at the workshop. Constable Ray Corbiere, an officer since 1995, serves six First Nations in the area. He noted that statistics for 2000-2001 reveal 80 spousal assaults during that period. "Non-reporting is a big problem here," he said. "Often the victim doesn't report the assault; many are reported by third parties."

In his view, domestic violence is a hidden problem in many communities. "But the more you report it, the more likely people are to stop doing it," he said. "We should shame these people by putting their names in the paper and then they'd stop doing it."

Sgt. George Trudeau of Anishnabek police services in Sagamok said that domestic disputes often occur in his community of 2,200 as well. "We have four officers, and they keep us hopping most of the time," he said.

Chief Gary Reid of the Wikwemikong police services suggested that domestic violence remains a taboo subject in many First Nations.

But he has observed that there has been a drastic change in the way victims are treated. "In the past all the focus was on the bad guy," he said. "The police concentrated on getting him arrested and convicted. Now the trend is to give the victim's needs more priority."

His stff of 13 respond to 1,200 to 1,500 incidents per year, he reported. "It is important to give the victims support. Many are reluctant to come forward because of embarrassment or distrust of the system. As the senior officer in Wikwemikong, I encourage communication with local social service agencies. That way we get a more blended community and we all help one another. After all we are all looking for the same results," he concluded.