April 2020 Volume 26, Issue 4

Greetings!

Welcome to the April issue of the National Justice Network e-Update, a publication of the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime. PLEASE SHARE THIS FREE NEWSLETTER WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES & FRIENDS OR HAVE THEM SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT DIRECTLY AT: http://crcvc.ca/en/newsletter/.

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Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime Visit: http://www.crcvc.ca Email: [email protected] Phone: 1.877.232.2610.

Chat & Text Support At least 22 dead as a result of a violent rampage in Portapique, Nova Scotia: Canada’s deadliest CRCVC’s chat and text support mass victimization case for victims of crime who wish to access information as well The violence and bloodshed of a devastating shooting as emotional support. spree in Nova Scotia continued to emerge on Monday as the death toll increased to at least 22 victims and Text: Our number is 613-208- law enforcement continued working in 16 crime 0747 scenes across the province – while cautioning that the Chat: Please access through number of victims in Canada's worst mass shooting is our website. expected to rise even further in the coming days. Chief Superintendent Chris Leather stated in a news For hours of operation and conference on Monday that Several fires were lit at other info, please click here. the crime scenes and one officer reported dead and another injured. Hoping to connect with you soon! Police identified the gunman as Gabriel Wortman. QUICK LINKS The horrific event began to unfold at about 10 p.m. Saturday, April 18, when police received a series of Police arrest suspect calls about gunshots and fires in the Portapique beach connected to the murders of community, where Wortman owned two properties. two Indigenous men in The police came to find several fatalities in the area Alberta. Jake Sansom, 39, and and immediately started an intense hunt for the Morris Cardinal, 57 were perpetrator, including specialist tactical investigators, gunned down after a verbal and physical altercation when

dog teams and other police assistance from other returning from a hunting trip. agencies but failed to locate the suspect. Around noon Read more here. on Sunday, he was shot and killed by police in a gas station parking lot in Enfield, outside Halifax after a Friend of domestic homicide 14-hour manhunt, during which time multiple other victim, Tracey Mackenzie, victims were killed. urges victims to reach out to someone and get help when “We’ll never have an opportunity to interview the experiencing domestic subject,” Leather said, "but we can say his ability to violence. move around the province undetected was surely Read more here. greatly benefited by the fact that he had a … vehicle that looked identical in every way to a marked police Cybersecurity experts warn car, and beyond that, he was wearing a police the public of the increase in uniform, which was either a very good fabrication of phishing schemes related to or actually a police uniform." the COVID-19 pandemic; Fraudsters are now using new When the police vehicle was no longer driveable, the tactics to steal information and RCMP say Wortman was able to obtain another vehicle money through the use of and continued moving through the province “steps emails and text messages. Read more here. ahead of our investigators.”

Moreover, with the details of the deadly sequence of A 17-year-old boy was shot on events continuing to come to light, concerns are being in 's Saint-Laurent expressed as to why RCMP did not use the province's borough in an underground emergency warning system while searching for the parking lot of an apartment. subject that they knew was armed and highly The gunman escaped before the police arrived. The motive dangerous and instead sent the details via Twitter. behind the crime remains unclear but the victim is in Among the victims who have been publicly identified stable condition. are RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year Read More here veteran of the force and a mother of two; correctional services managers Alanna Jenkins and Sean Macleod; elementary school teacher Lisa McCully; Heather O’Brien, a nurse from Truro; and three members of The parents of two teen girls, one family, Jolene Oliver, Emily Tuck and Aaron Kristen French and Leslie (Friar) Tuck. Mahaffy, who were murdered by Paul Bernardo are seeking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about the to obtain his entire case file sacrifice of Constable Stevenson and stated that with the parole board, arguing Canada is mourning with the families of all the public interest in the case victims. “We are so sorry for your loss,” he said. outweighs the convicted killer “Such a tragedy should have never occurred.” and serial rapist’s privacy rights. Additionally, in the early stages of the investigation, it Read More Here

was reported that some of the victims were known to the gunman and others appeared to have been targeted randomly. In Monday's press conference, A retired nuclear physicist, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair also asked: "Canadians John Hulbert, was found to be alert as RCMP continues the large and stabbed to death by his son complicated investigation." Paul Hulbert, inside his west- end apartment on the night of On the third day of the investigation, it was confirmed April 13th. Around 10 PM, his that the number of people killed had risen to 22 and family discovered his body at all gunman-related questions continued to remain The Conservatory building at unresolved. It was also confirmed by RCMP that the 1025 Grenon Ave. uniform the gunman was wearing at the time of the Read More Here shootings was genuine. Peter German, the former RCMP deputy commissioner, said there are several scenarios that may explain how Wortman could have UPCOMING EVENTS acquired the uniform. He also mentioned that it is possible to purchase them online from military surplus VIRTUAL Ottawa Monthly stores or collectors. Drop-In Support Group for “Loss to Violence” Investigations continued to be carried out by RCMP to determine whether anyone else might have helped the The drop-in support group for gunman in this mass shooting. Further, many family members of homicide questions were directed toward the RCMP for using victims addresses the gap in Twitter instead of activating a provincial alert during support within the community the lengthy period in which the gunman was on the and offers a place for peers to run, and known to be armed and homicidal. In support each other in healing. response, RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather stated in a press conference on Monday that the RCMP Please “like” the CRCVC believed at the time that Twitter was “a superior way Facebook page or email to communicate.” [email protected] to stay updated about the support The picture became more clear on the fourth day of group dates. We welcome all the investigation. It was discovered that Wortman had family and loved ones to join assaulted his girlfriend who then ran into the woods to us! safety and later informed the police that Wortman was driving a car made to look like an RCMP cruiser and (Due to COVID-19, we will be wearing an authentic uniform. John Hudson, who had meeting virtually; please email known Wortman for about 18 years, said he was us at [email protected] for more sometimes openly controlling and jealous of his details) longtime girlfriend.

One important factor pointed to by the RCMP was Trauma and Violence Wortman’s use of a specially prepared police vehicle Intervention Research: replica, which police confirmed was one of four Ford

Taurus vehicles he owned. He was able to evade Promoting safety and well- police for more than 12 hours as his rampage began being across the lifespan. around his home in Portapique, N.S. and continued Trauma is prevalent in our through central Nova Scotia. The shooter's girlfriend world and many of the people provided officers with an image of the vehicle, which we work with live with its was shared on the Nova Scotia RCMP's Twitter page. Moreover, it was stated by Superintendent Darren physical, mental and Campbell that the gunman’s long term partner, who emotional impacts. was one of the victims, is a “significant key witness” in this case and continues to cooperate with the This conference aims to investigation. provide effective and compassionate support and This mass shooting and domestic violence case is this requires trauma-informed beginning to become clear and explain the motive of practise with a cultural and the gunman who took the life of 22 people and historical understanding of assaulted his partner. lived experiences. At this time, the CRCVC expresses its deepest condolences. We remember the victims: When: Cancelled until further notice. Tom Bagley, Kristen Beaton, Greg and Jamie Where: RBC Place, London, Blair, Corrie Ellison, Gina Goulet, Frank ON Gulenchyn and Dawn Madsen, Lillian Hyslop, Lisa McCully, Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins, Victim Support Europe Heather O’Brien, Emily Tuck, Jolene Oliver and 2020 Annual Conference Aaron Tuck, Constable Heidi Stevenson, Joey “Celebrating our past. Webber, John Joseph Zahl and Elizabeth Joanne Creating hope for the Thomas, Peter and Joy Bo. future.”

We would also like to take this time to advocate When: Cancelled until further for the continued support of the victims. At this notice. time, Nova Scotia does NOT provide monetary compensation for victims of crime. Read our Updates available here letter to Hon. Mark Furey, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nova Scotia here. Stonewall 50 Across ------Canada Increase in Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic When: Postponed until Fall 2020 Across , domestic violence organizations are drawing attention to the increase in the number of Where: Various cities across calls to various shelters across the region. However, Canada, click here to see other organizations also worry that there has been a where. decrease in calls due to barriers that COVID-19 has

created, such as additional challenges in accessing Victimology, Victim services. The president of the Ontario Network of Assistance, & Criminal Victim Service Providers, Sheri MacDonald relays that Justice Ontario has had an increase in the number of domestic violence cases. As a result of the pandemic, For two weeks, international “victims are left with fewer and fewer places to turn.” experts and students will Subsequently, it is important to note that a decrease congregate at Stockton in calls does not equate to a decrease in violence. University to share Executive Director of PATHS, Jo-Anne Dusel states victimological research across that some people are staying home out of fear of multiple disciplines in an catching COVID-19. As a result, accessing support can intensive short-course format. be extremely difficult with requirements to stay home with the abuser, leaving little opportunity to reach out Click here for more info. for help. When: 12 July-26 July 2020 Marlene Ham, Executive Director of OAITH states that concerns have arisen during this outbreak regarding Where: Stockton University the fact that gender-based violence has not been Atlantic City, John F. Scarpa addressed. More specifically, lack of attention to the Academic Center, Atlantic City, fact that to tackle gender-based violence during this New Jersey pandemic, the issue on a more general scale needs to be addressed. Since the outbreak, OAITH has seen a Register: by emailing Mariah 20% increase in calls to the organization. Duffey at [email protected] The options to escape during this pandemic are limited and, in turn, many victims are left at home with their abuser. This is due in part to the high cost of immediate housing placements, a factor that has negatively impacted the scope and services that can Strides for Change: MADD be provided to assist victims. Canada

The National Manager of OAITH, Yasmine Youssef The annual 5km walk/run stated that that the organization has recently assisted supports Chapters and a woman by removing her from her husband after he Community Leaders in their threatened to kill her. In another case, an abuser efforts to educate the public kicked his partner out due to fear of contracting about the dangers of impaired COVID-19. These instances and the many others like driving and to help victims in it point to the increasing demand for assistance. their communities. The campaign is also an Additionally, CityNews reached out to various police opportunity to keep safe and forces in the GTA to discuss any increases in calls sober driving top of mind related to domestic violence. Overall there has been during the spring and summer an increase in calls across the region with, for months when the rate of example, the York Regional Police alone responding to impaired-related crashes is almost 700 incidents in the past 30 days. typically higher. Events are held in communities across ------Canada over the late spring and early summer.

Families of Flight 752 Victims Report Threats When: Postponed - and Acts of Intimidation: Refusing to be Rescheduling due to COVID-19 Forgotten 100 Days After will be announced soon.

The Revolutionary Guard ‘mistakenly’ shot down Flight Where: Mississauga, Ontario 752 on January 8, 2020. The flight that was brought down by at least one Iranian surface-to-air missile Updates available here shortly after takeoff from the Imam Khomeini International Airport tragically resulted in the death of National Conference for 55 Canadian citizens. Canada continues to be one of Victims of Impaired Driving many nations fighting to obtain compensation for the family members who lost their loved ones. On A variety of workshops are Thursday, April 16, a live vigil was held on Instagram offered throughout the by families of the victims on Flight 752. weekend. MADD Canada and

local Chapters sponsor Hamed Esmaeilion, the interim representative for the delegates will attend the group representing the families of the Canadians who conference. Priority for the passed away on the flight from Tehran to Kyiv on Jan. conference is given to people 8, said that he never got back the ring of his wife or who have never attended his daughter's bracelet and fought to repatriate their before and whose crash was bodies for funeral in Canada. 'I can't forget these recent. An important things, I can't. Every night ... we have nightmares'— component of the conference Hamed Esmaeilion stated. Adding further, he is the Reflection Sessions explained that he is "still devastated, still seeking which allow victims and justice, still seeking truth to understand what survivors to meet with others happened that night, why they left the sky over Iran who share similar experiences. open on that fateful night, why they shot two missiles at a commercial airplane, why they robbed the When: September 25-27, deceased people on the ground." 2020

It has been made aware to Global Affairs that there Where: , ON have been reports from the families of the victims of being contacted with threats and intimidation in Register By Phone or Email Canada by Iran's government and the family members Phone: 1-800-665-6233 or blame Tehran for this. 905-829-8805

Hamed Esmaeilion stated that he has had several Email: [email protected] threats and hateful messages on his social media account calling him a traitor. Esmaeilion learned SNAPSHOTS that he is not the only one receiving these kinds of threats and messages, and thus he decided to contact Owner of a the police as a result. If the family members of any seniors residence charged victims feel unsafe, the government task force urges with sexual assault. them to promptly contact the police for assistance.

Naji Kamar, a 62-year-old Newly appointed special advisor, Ralph Goodale states from Gatineau who is the co- that this information must be reported. Goodale also owner of a seniors residence in expresses that Canadian citizens and Gatineau, was charged for residents are not in any danger and should not “fear sexually abusing an 88-year- for their safety.”

old man for almost a year. A Additionally, in Edmonton, Amir Hoessin Saeedina’s spokeswoman for Gatineau parents, as well as aunt and brother, state that Police informed viewers over a they were forcibly required to leave Iran due to the Facebook Live media briefing threats from authorities in the country. This occurred that Kamar had made an initial after the family spoke out about Amir's death court appearance on following the incident. Claims of detainment and allegations of sexual abuse, abuse carried out by agents of the Iranian regime abuse and intimidation on April were made by the family. 16th.

Javad Soleimani has also spoken out after the loss of He was released on terms his wife. He claimed that after posting on social media including prohibitions against about the death and criticizing Iran, he was contacted contacting the alleged victim, by an official of high rank in the Iranian regime who going to Manoir Sainte-Marie pressured and threatened him. The family members of and doing any jobs, paid or several victims are searching for answers. unpaid, that would put him in touch with vulnerable people, Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne including seniors. and Minister of Transport Marc Garneau expressed their deepest condolences on behalf of the This case was reported when a government of Canada for victims and their families in sexual harassment complaint a joint statement. Moreover, other countries along was brought to staff with Canada vowed to carry out a full and proper participating in a "coordinated investigation to provide justice to victims of crashed intervention to fight flight. exploitation of the elderly.” After the complaint was received in February, a son of “Sadly, the investigation had to be halted or delayed Kamar, also one of the co- for some time because of COVID-19, but they again owners, assumed operational told us that they are serious about keeping the responsibility for Manoir Iranians responsible and getting those offenders to Sainte-Marie. The regular justice," Esmaeilion said. visits were conducted from home-support workers as well ------as surprise quality assessment Women’s shelters, sexual assault centres face visits. funding shortfalls during COVID-19 pandemic.

The Supreme Court of It has been brought to attention that charities in New Canada won’t hear La Brunswick are facing uncertainty as the COVID-19 Loche school shooter’s pandemic continues to impact lives in many ways, sentencing appeal including financially. There is also a concern for vulnerable people such as victims of domestic violence The Supreme Court of Canada or sexual assault. will not hear an appeal from a young offender who was Kristal LeBlanc, the executive director of the sentenced as an adult in a Beauséjour Family Crisis Resource Centre in Shediac, mass shooting at a northern N.B., is expecting to face funding shortfalls between Saskatchewan school. $150,000 to $200,000. LeBlanc said the annual Run

for Women typically raises about $65,000. The run has yet to be officially cancelled, however, LeBlanc Randan Fontaine was 17 when has explained that everyone is feeling the pinch at he murdered his two cousins this time. She further shared her hopes that they will and two other boys at school. go ahead with the run but also expressed, “It’s just Fontaine, now 22, pleaded really challenging not knowing what the donor climate guilty to two counts of first- is going to be for events, even when you postpone degree murder, two counts of them.” second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted Dwayne Hayes, the chair of the board of directors for murder in October 2016 in Crossroads for Women in Moncton, also expects to provincial court in Meadow take a financial hit, estimating a deficit of around Lake. $70,000. He explained that "The 'Atlantic Rock Run' typically contributes $30,000 to $35,000 and the In 2017 Provincial Court Judge 'Walk a Mile' event can bring in $20,000 to $25,000." had also confirmed that they will count the factor of These significant losses will no doubt impact the gunmen being indigenous in organization, and they are now looking for donations his final sentencing. to ensure they can keep their doors open. They are asking for donations of $10 per person as well as Saskatchewan's Court of asking people to share the word with five other people Appeal rejected Fontaine's to keep things going. Hayes says they hope their offer to be convicted as a events can continue, rather than postponing them for juvenile last year. Courts in another year. the province had agreed to expand the young offender's The New Brunswick centres are confident they’ll see publication ban on Fontaine's some federal assistance from financial aid packages identity while appealing his that have been announced, although there is no adult sentence. Thursday's certainty as to how much money they could receive Supreme Court decision and how long it will take. ensures Fontaine will not have any options left to appeal.

------His lawyer has argued that Fontaine's low IQ was not Child sexual abuse expected to rise amid sufficiently understood by the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say sentencing judge and Fontaine is suffering from fetal alcohol Alberta specialists in the prevention of child sexual spectrum disorder. exploitation are anticipating a spike in cases in the The judge felt that the La months to come. COVID-19 has forced the closing of Loche school shooter had to be the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch — a non-profit tried as an adult because, rehab facility near Edmonton for child sexual abuse during police interviews as well survivors. as the statement he read in court, Fontaine gave no reason Members of staff will conduct online and telephone why he killed four people or counselling for 25 teens and children who remain at shot up his school. The only the centre, along with some 75 other families across hint of a motive was that he Canada. felt "hated at school" and denied being bullied. It has been reported that child sex abuse is expected

to rise during this global pandemic and that currently one in four girls and one in six boys under the age of 18 are sexually abused in Canada. Reforms in domestic The response to COVID-19 leads to an increase in violence legislation give a vulnerable environments under which children are "Powerful message" more likely to be left unattended with other children or unsafe adults due to school closures. Part of Bill C-75 was Increased financial afflictions as a result of parents introduced in Parliament for and/or caregivers mostly out of employment, in changes to the domestic combination with stress, cause increased domestic violence law. Such violence and drug abuse leaving infants and children improvements include broader with no safe place to call home. guidelines related to domestic abuse, a higher bail ------requirement and increased Judges release rising numbers of those penalties for repeat offenders. convicted of violent crimes due to COVID-19 Lawyers and scholars are fears. commending proposed laws of federal domestic abuse which In the past few weeks, an increasing number of they believe will strengthen prisoners detained on serious offences have been the judiciary's understanding ordered to be released from detention by judges of and treatment of intimate concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in jails across Canada. partner violence.

One of such offenders was Kaynadid Abshir, who There has been a major effort allegedly rented a silver Chrysler 200 four-door sedan to modernize the vocabulary of and drove three gunmen to a Toronto residence on the Criminal Code. The more March 13 and waited until the target came home, inclusive term intimate partner followed him and shot him with nine-millimetre would replace spouse and handguns. Another allegedly pistol-whipped and tasered two individuals in Ottawa over a drug debt. A common-law partner, and the third was allegedly involved in a Toronto strip mall definition would be broadened shooting. to include past partners.

“These are extraordinary, dire times,” a judge wrote Moreover, in bail court, a Monday in a decision ordering the release of a man reverse penalty will be imposed accused of firing a bullet through his ex-girlfriend’s on serial offenders to show why apartment window in Hamilton, Ontario. they should be released − rather In one decision, the judge quoted Prime Minister than on the Crown to lodge a Justin Trudeau, telling reporters on March 29 that he petition to keep them imprisoned. was “very concerned” there could be “greater According to previous research, vulnerability to COVID-19” in Canada’s prison system. the offenders of domestic violence are more likely to breach bail When he discussed this issue on Tuesday, Trudeau orders. explained, “we’ve taken measures already in Corrections Canada to ensure that we’re keeping

inmates and corrections officers more safe from COVID-19. But we’re still looking at other steps.” The bill also aims to raise the legal punishment for convicted Judiciary continues to look at various criteria when domestic offenders, which will determining whether to grant parole to those charged specify that both current and by police, but the pandemic has forced authorities to take various harsh decisions including the release of former spouses are subject to offenders of violent crimes. disciplinary laws aimed at making intimate partner violence an aggravating factor.

Attention to the Need for Increased Funding for The Ontario Domestic Violence Victims During COVID-19: Involvement from the Death Investigation Attorney General and Federal Government. Committee investigated 289

As concerns surrounding the recent COVID-19 domestic-homicide cases pandemic grow, Attorney General Doug Downey between 2003 and 2016 announced that $4 million will be allocated to support (including 410 deaths). Nearly victims of crime as well as the frontline workers three quarters of which cases working to “uphold the administration of justice” involved a person with a during this pandemic. history of past abuse.

Additionally, $2.7 million will be directed towards assisting support services handling crimes such as domestic violence and other crimes that have been on the rise since the development of the outbreak. This SPOTLIGHT ON RESEARCH additional funding to victims and victim service organizations shows recognition that staying home Two Statistics Canada and isolating during the pandemic, for some, is not Surveys Reveal the Social safe. Impacts of COVID-19

The rationale for this "one-time emergency payment" On April 8th, 2020 Statistics stems from the increased reports in domestic violence Canada published results from from frontline victim service organizations in Ontario. a survey conducted between As a result, more than 50 agencies will receive a March 29th, 2020 and April portion of this funding to help with the increasing 3rd, 2020. Over 4,600 operational demands. individuals across 10 provinces participated. This survey The Justice Director of Six Nations Indigenous Victim examined the perspectives of Services, Barb General expressed that this decision Canadians on the COVID-19 has the potential to make a large difference for many pandemic and their concerns of the clients served. during this time.

Parliament has also received approval for a $200 The results of the survey million response plan to help shelters with the indicate that 8% of Canadians increased demands. Particularly shelters helping reported being extremely women, children, and their families who are leaving concerned about rising domestic violence situations. violence in the home. More specifically, this response was higher for women at 10%,

The Ministry of Children’s and Women's Issues has while 6% of men felt the same also announced the development of a $40 million way. relief fund. This fund aims to help “address increased residential costs at organizations, including shelters Societal changes stemming that help women fleeing domestic violence.” from the pandemic were also Additionally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that reported to be of concern. $40 million will be provided to women's shelters as More specifically, 4 in 10 well as sexual assault centres to help with the Canadians reported being demands during the pandemic. Another $10 million extremely concerned about will also be specifically allocated to support Indigenous the possibility of civil disorder. women and their children. Subsequently, on April 23rd, 2020 Statistics Canada published results from a crowdsourcing initiative that echoed the previous study described above.

The results from crowdsourcing revealed that all women in all age groups (15 and over) reported being very or extremely anxious about the possibility of violence in the home. More specifically, among respondents between the ages of 15 and 24, 12% of women and 8% of men reported being very or extremely anxious when asked about the likelihood of violence in the home.

Findings aligned with the previous study with concerns over civil disorder still apparent. The results found among participants aged 15 to 24, 43% of individuals reported being very or extremely worried about the possibility of civic disorder. For respondents aged 75 and older this number was lower, at 25%.