Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
People Expressed Concerns That Offenders Should Not Be Treated Better Than Their Victims
Mr. Chairman, people in a number of communities believe that those who commit physical violence and other forms of abuse within their families should not be treated better than their victims. At the same time, people are concerned that offenders seem to benefit under the current system. This concern is based on a number of factors.
First, it is usually the female partner and children who have to relocate following a violent incident, while the offender remains in the family home. The victims may even have to leave their community in order to find appropriate shelter. Women feel further victimized when they have to relocate in this way.
We heard significant support for the view that the offender, rather than the victim, should have to suffer the inconvenience and other stresses of leaving the home.
Second, the victim often experiences even greater inconvenience, through no fault of her own. Once she leaves the family home, her name may be dropped to the bottom of the list of those hoping to qualify for future housing space. This happens even if the woman was born in the community and has lived there all her life.
Third, we heard that the victim of abuse may even be reluctant to assist the justice system in bringing charges against the offender. This reluctance is caused by a lack of understanding of the process itself or by a fear of retaliation. Some people told us that bringing charges against an offender simply guarantees repeat acts of abuse.
Finally, people are concerned that the judicial process fails the victim, even when the matter goes to trial. There is a perception in some communities that the courts are too slow in dealing with such acts of violence. We also heard the perception that juries are too lenient with offenders even if they are brought to justice.
Appropriation Counselling For Offenders And Victims Is Necessary, According To Many People We Heard From
Mr. Chairman, we heard people support the use of community-based counselling, intervention, mediation and other family support services for both the victims and offenders, in cases of domestic violence. People also support programs to assist families in the possible reintegration of abusers into the home.
Abused women, in particular, face a number of challenges in locating and obtaining assistance. They simply may not know anyone to talk to. They may not know of the legal steps they can take. Or they may not know the other sources of help that may be available to them.
People told us that the abuser also faces a shortage of counselling and support programs. Since abuse is an offense that is often repeated, it is just as important to provide counselling for the offender as it is for the victim and other family members.
We Heard That Midwives Are An Accepted Part Of Community Care
Mr. Chairman, we heard general support for programs that would give women the opportunity to deliver their babies in their own communities. This would enable women to choose to remain at or close to home, as opposed to having to travel to another community. It would make life easier for expectant mothers who already have other children to care for. It would also ensure that young expectant mothers have a chance to learn about the birthing process in secure and familiar surroundings. Midwives, home births and local birthing centres were mentioned as community-based means of achieving these results.
We Heard That Mental Health Issues Deserve Greater Attention And Support
Mr. Chairman, we heard that there are very few meaningful mental health services available in the Northwest Territories. This applies to clinical psychiatric services and a more holistic approach to healing. While the Department of Social Services has authority in this matter, there are very few resources available to back it up.
People identified a number of obstacles to treating those with mental health problems. These obstacles include a shortage of proper facilities, not enough home care, too little training, too few visits by specialists and a lack of other support in the community. We also heard that even when suicidal patients are sent outside the community for assessment, they are often quickly returned because they have no clinically diagnosed illness.
There is clear support for culturally appropriate counselling services, such as the use of respected elders as lay counsellors. Ongoing service training for social workers and the pooling of local resources to provide better treatment of mental health problems are also needed. People also want greater cooperation between the departments of Health and Social Services in an effort to ensure that patients receive the care they need.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask my colleague, Mr. Patterson, to continue. Thank you.