This is page numbers 931 - 964 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was health.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 419-12(5): Services In Small Communities For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Question 419-12(5): Services In Small Communities For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Further Return To Question 419-12(5): Services In Small Communities For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Question 419-12(5): Services In Small Communities For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. With sexual abuse cases, there are certain procedures carried out. There is a protocol in the community. Like I said, the RCMP is often times involved in carrying out the investigation, along with the social worker or the school counsellor, including the nurse from the community. Depending upon the findings of the investigations, that protocol is followed. In each region, we do have sexual abuse specialists who are available to the communities who don't have the expertise. Either through the RCMP, nurse in charge or through the social worker, they are available at their request. Often, they come into the community to work with the family of the abused. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 419-12(5): Services In Small Communities For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Question 419-12(5): Services In Small Communities For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) My question is in line with the questions that have been asked. Madam Speaker, passing a sexual abuse case through the courts is all a part of the process, but there is still a healing process for the victim and their family. What kind of follow-up is done with victims and their families after court cases are finished? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. After it has gone through the court system and after the family and the victim have gone through this process, the victim should ask for support. There are other people who can request this after the court case has gone through. For example, through the Department of Justice, the victims can apply for the victims' assistance program. So the support is there. Thank you.

Return To Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

Supplementary To Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Supplementary, Madam Speaker. I am very happy to hear the response by the Minister of Social Services, in that there's a process for the victim and that there is a follow-up done. At what point does Social Services close the case of child sexual abuse victims? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Further Return To Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. They are done case by case because they vary from each other. If the victim was a child, at times the social worker will have to support the victim for a long time. Sometimes they are referred to another family outside of the family house. If the child is in temporary custody of Social Services, they are helped as long as the help is needed. They do go back to their families within the discretion of the court system. Or, if Social Services is not responsible for the victim after the court case, following the court procedure, usually at three months is the point at which we close the case. It varies from case to case. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Question 420-12(5): Follow-up Services For Sexual Abuse Victims After Court Case
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 939

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Not only do the victims of child sexual abuse need support, but there are those who commit the abuse and they also must be dealt with and, in some cases, helped to find ways of dealing with their problem and their feelings. I have a question for the Minister of Justice. What programs are available for people who are found guilty of sexual offences and who are incarcerated?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There are a number of programs that are available to inmates in the institutions that we have. At the institution level there are programs available. Some of them are alcohol related, such as the program of Alcoholics Anonymous which is available to all inmates. There is an alcohol awareness program that is run by the Tree of Peace on an in-house basis. For those who are given leave to attend the Salvation Army program, they have an alcohol treatment program, as well.

On a professional basis, there is a psychologist who is available to do counselling on a one-on-one basis, as well as a program called an emotions at home program that is available for inmates to help them deal with the difficulties that they have, and to help them deal with trying to figure out why they act, feel and think the way they do. Specifically, in this case, in sexually abusing other people, especially children, there are none specifically for offenders who are considered mentally ill in the sense that they are labelled as paedophiles. That is, those people who are chronically in need of having to deal with and have sexual contact with children. With those, we have no specific programs. They are considered extremely difficult to deal with and to treat. Thank you.

Return To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Often abusers are repeaters. Some people have a history of repeat offences for this type of criminal behaviour in the north. People, these days, tend to be very mobile. My supplementary to the Minister is, what process is in place and used nationally to make other jurisdictions aware of such offenders?

Supplementary To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, there is nothing conclusive to report to the Members at this time, but we are looking at, as a council of Justice Ministers, ways to protect the public by alerting them that certain offenders are about to be released. There is some discussion going on at this time. We are looking at the question of how we can protect the public and whether it is in the public interest to make the release of certain dangerous offenders public and, if so, how it serves the public to do that and the best way to do that.

In fact, there's also discussion about whether certain people should ever be released at all, since they are considered untreatable and will be, for the remainder of their life, a possible high extreme risk to the public. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I'm aware that in the past there used to be a system for alcohol abusers. I think it was called interdict list where people were listed who were abusers of alcohol. So, my question is, given the response the Minister just made that some are chronic abusers, will the Minister consider looking at developing some kind of process similar to the interdict lists that used to be posted? I'm not sure they are still available, but would the Minister look at such a process for sexual offenders?

Supplementary To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, the incarceration of offenders under the Criminal Code for serious offences -- under which most of these types of offences would fall because of the length of sentence under the federal government that extend for more than two years -- automatically become a federal responsibility. I believe the federal government is looking at how to deal with repeat offenders, high-risk offenders and those offenders who are incarcerated who will be released at some time or other to the public.

During the last election, it was clear that the number one priority that the Canadian people have put on the justice system of Canada is to minimize the risk to the public of individuals who are offenders. They want Canada to look at the question of whether individual rights of people should be curtailed in the public interest. For instance, if there is a chronic abuser of little children -- someone who has been known to abuse or kill little children for sexual pleasure -- the question is should that person ever be released. And, if so, how that serves the public interest. We know, without a doubt, that it would only be a matter of time before they repeat the same offence.

The federal minister is looking at that question and has asked for some input. We are having ongoing discussions on that. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Question 421-12(5): Programs For Sexual Offenders Found Guilty And Incarcerated
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 940

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is also regarding sexual abuse. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The high

incidence of child sexual abuse is of great concern to all of us. One of the tools we can use in the fight against this type of abuse is prevention education. Children need to know that it is okay to say no and to understand what kinds of things are not acceptable, from either strangers or family members.

Some education districts, such as Yellowknife Education District No. 1, are offering excellent ongoing programs which help children prevent sexual abuse and recognize bad situations. Is this type of program offered across the NWT? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.