Supporting Sex Workers: a Key Issue for Bc Anti-Violence Programs

BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance & Counselling Programs

Issue 2006-02 728-602 West Hastings Street Vancouver BC V6B 1P2 Tel 604.633.2506 Fax 604.633.2507 www.endingviolence.org SUPPORTING SEX WORKERS: A KEY ISSUE FOR BC ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS

Sex work is a crucial factor affecting and that the average age of children women’s safety in this province. entering into the sex trade is 13-25 Many workers in the programs we (Trafficking in Children, Abei). support—CBVAP, STV Counselling • Women and girls enter the sex trade and Sex Assault programs and for money, food, shelter, protection violence against women coordination and/or drugs. initiatives—work with women who • Women and girls are more likely to are currently working in the sex trade enter the sex trade when they lack or who have in the past. In this alternative ways to earn a living or newsletter we outline some of the meet basic survival needs. many aspects of this issue, highlight some innovative projects and list • Homelessness, drug addiction and some of the resources and services a history of sexual abuse increase the available. We hope that this will prove Money Girl by Cheryl Ann Winsor likelihood that a woman or girl will helpful in your ongoing work to keep From Stories from the Margin, a booklet enter the sex trade, and also make it of sex workers’ art and writing produced more difficult for her to leave. all women as safe as possible! by Victoria PEERS. • Some adult women experience sex Sex Work in BC work as exploitative and abusive; A number of articles have been written on percentage work on the street others feel more empowered. This the sex trade in Canada and BC (see Sex (Beyond Decriminalization, Pivot). depends on their access to resources Work Resources page 14). Some basic • Many sex workers start out as and ability to keep safe. facts about women sex workers include: teenagers. Stats Canada estimates • Most sex workers in Canada that 10-15% of street sex workers are work as independent escorts or in under 18, that 20% of Aboriginal massage parlours; only a small children are involved in the sex trade continued on Page 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Supporting Sex Workers_ pg.1 Legislation and Attitudes Put Sex Workers at Risk_ pg.5 Families of Missing and Murdered Women_ pg.11 Sex Work Resources_ pg.14 …and more in this special theme issue of the newsletter NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs 728-602 West Hastings Street Message from the Director Vancouver, BC V6B 1P2 We at the Association are so proud of the amazing work that Phone: 604-633-2506 Community-Based Victim Assistance, Stopping the Violence Fax: 604-633-2507 Counselling, Sexual Assault and Outreach programs are Toll-free for members only: doing across the province. We know that one of the things you 1-877-633-2505 do is provide support to women who are active in or who have [email protected] exited the sex trade. This issue of the newsletter is focused on www.endingviolence.org sex work and violence against women. The Association and others have been working hard for many Editor years to provide information to the police and others in the system Sarah Leavitt about the increased risk of violence for women in the sex trade, Layout and Design Aboriginal women, women of colour, immigrant and refugee Britt Permien women, poor women and others. As you know, marginalized women are less likely to come forward and less likely to report Contributors to this issue are: to the police. Women fear judgement, blame and harmful Staff of BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and actions by the state based on stereotypes that are still to this day Counselling Programs; Staff of Ministry of Community Services and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor alive in the minds of many in our communities. General; Staff of Legal Services Society; Janet Freeman, We and the programs we support have been working to Legal Services Society; Jody Paterson, Victoria collaborate our efforts with the police and Crown, corrections Prostitutes Empowerment, Education and Resource and child protection. We have been doing this because all the Society; Lurind Juneaux, South Peace Community state programs need to work closely together with those who Resources Society, Christal Capostinsky, New Hope Society. know women in this trade, who work with them, and who Thanks to Nythalah Baker, Amanda Bonella, Dawn speak for those who cannot. Legislation, policy and programs Clark, Amber Hartley, Marilynne Johnny, Lurind need to be built with real substantive involvement of the Juneaux, Angela MacDougall, Barb Mallet, Michelle people who understand the issues. Novakowski, Norma Parr, Jody Patterson. We all need a mandate and support for this kind of coordination, to engage in cross sectoral collaboration, to work together to This newsletter is produced three times a year and provided free of understand better what women need, how to provide more charge to BCASVACP members. The views expressed by newsletter contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the BCASVACP and improved supports and how best to provide women with Board and/or staff. Please contribute updates, articles, photos, etc more choices that will ultimately result in increased safety by mail or by email to [email protected]. and empowerment. The services provided by the BCASVACP are supported by the I hope that the articles in this newsletter can be a part of our Ministry of Community Services, The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. ongoing discussion and action to help make women in the sex trade safer. Charitable # 13926 5821 RR0001 Tracy Porteous

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Sex Trade and Rural Communities numbers of Aboriginal women in the sex trade: “The There is often a perception that sex work only happens in social and economic marginalisation of Indigenous urban centres. In fact, people work in the sex trade across women, along with a history of government policies that BC. Urban and rural communities are often linked by the have torn apart Indigenous families and communities, sex trade: young women recruited in small towns or have pushed a disproportionate number of Indigenous Aboriginal villages are brought to work in the sex trade in women into dangerous situations that include extreme Prince George, Kelowna, Duncan, Victoria, Vancouver or poverty, homelessness and prostitution.” The Amnesty other smaller centres. As well, sex workers may be moved report refers to a study carried out by PACE (Prostitution from city to city on sex trade “circuits.” Nythalah Baker of Alternatives, Counselling and Education) in 2001 in the BC Rural Women’s Network says that over the past two Vancouver. PACE surveyed 183 women and found that years the network has been hearing more stories of rural “more than 30 percent of sex workers surveyed were women involved in “survival sex.” Nythalah uses this term to Indigenous women, although Indigenous people make up refer to “women being approached in smaller communities less than two percent of the city’s population.” by people (men) who know they are having financial difficul- All readers will be aware that Robert Pickton has been ties and offering to help them out (i.e. with the car repairs; charged with 22 murders of street-involved women from home repairs, etc.) in exchange for sex.” Nythalah says that the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Many of these while survival sex is not a new phenomenon, “given the women were Aboriginal, and most were involved in the sex severe changes since 2001/2002, there are fewer options trade and had drug addictions. (See Supporting Families available to women. And in smaller communities, people are page 11 for more on the missing and murdered women). more likely to know one another, who is at risk of being cut Many of the women missing from the Highway of Tears off welfare, etc.” were also Aboriginal (see the report in our last issue on the Amber Hartley is the Executive Director of Northern Highway of Tears Symposium). Rockies Aboriginal Women’s Society in Fort Nelson. She Many women and children are trafficked into Canada from says that sex work is very common in this community, a other countries to work in the sex trade. Because of their lack northern town of 6,000 whose population increases by of immigration status, they are extremely vulnerable to thousands in the winter, when oil and gas workers arrive. violence and exploitation. These men are making large amounts of money, and often hire sex trade workers. Amber reports that there is concern in Feminism and Sex Work the community about teenage girls who are entering the Some feminists consider all sex workers to be victims who trade. Whereas men can make good money in Fort Nelson, are involved in sex work against their will. They feel that in women are generally limited to minimum wage jobs, and the context of sexism and other forms of oppression, no living expenses are high. The sex trade is an opportunity to woman is able to make a free, informed choice to enter the make better money. sex trade. Others believe that no woman should engage in sex work because it confirms stereotypical oppressive Discrimination and Sex Work beliefs about women and therefore hurts all women. Still Sex workers, particularly those who work on the street, other feminists see the sex trade as a legitimate form of face high levels of violence in their work. Many come employment and focus on increasing safety for the women from groups that are particularly discriminated against: who are involved in it, as well as developing services for women and girls, Aboriginal people, immigrants and those who wish to exit the trade. transgendered people. Especially over the last decade or so, there has been Stolen Sisters, a 2004 report by Amnesty International a strong movement for the rights of sex workers, and on Aboriginal women in Canada, commented on the high a number of sex workers, many of whom identify as feminists,

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006 SUPPORTING SEX WORKERS: A KEY ISSUE FOR BC ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS have been outspoken about empowering themselves and other • Provide sex workers with full access to the rights and workers. They have created websites, written articles and protections found in the Employment Standards Act, and ensure books and made art. They have formed organizations and the legislation explicitly protects an individual sex worker’s held conferences. Some focus more on legitimizing sex work decision to provide sexual services and maintain control over and empowering sex workers; others encourage women to exit her or his contract for the provision of sexual services. the trade. The common message in the sex worker movement • Respect the right of sex workers to unionize and provide is that sex workers deserve to be respected and supported, resources and support to them throughout the process. whether they choose to remain in the sex trade or decide • Involve sex workers in a meaningful way in municipal gover- to leave. nance issues, such as business licensing and city zoning, in order Legal Issues to meet the diverse needs of sex workers from various aspects of The current Criminal Code offences concerning prostitution are: the industry as well as the interests of communities. • Sections 210 and 211: Section 210 prohibits maintaining, • Respect the right of sex workers to have fair and equal access to owning, or being an “inmate” of a common bawdy-house, while Workers’ Compensation, Employment Insurance as well as other Section 211 prohibits knowingly transporting or directing a employment benefits. person to a bawdy-house. Pivot’s approach to law reform is based on three distinct • Section 212(1) and (3): Section 212(1) prohibits procuring, elements: a human rights framework, a belief that sex workers attempting to procure, or soliciting a person to have illicit sexual are experts on the effects of laws on their work, and a belief intercourse with another person; inveigling or enticing a person that sex work is a legitimate form of labour: to a bawdy-house for the purpose of prostitution; and living on Consensual adult sex work is a legitimate form of labour. the avails of a prostitute. Section 212(3) places an evidential Exploitation exists within the sex industry, as it does burden on an accused who lives with or is “habitually in the within many professions, but the desire for prostitution to company of ” a prostitute to prove that s/he is not living on the be recognized as a legitimate form of work was consistent avails of prostitution. among the sex workers who participated in this project. • Section 213: This section proscribes making offers to purchase For this reason, sex workers are entitled to the same or provide sexual services in a public place or in public view. labour and human rights protections as other workers. According to the BC Civil Liberties Association, “Although Sex workers want and deserve the same respect the acts of buying and selling sex are legal on their face, these afforded to other workers in Canadian society. laws effectively create a crime of prostitution itself, as there On the other hand, Janice Raymond of the American is no place where prostitutes can lawfully carry out their Coalition Against Trafficking in Women outlines ten chosen profession. Section 213 is meant to deter outdoor arguments against legalizing sex work. Her position is based solicitation, while ss. 210 and 211 also prevent the private on research conducted in countries where sex work has been sale of sexual services in brothels. Under ss. 210-212, legalized or decriminalized and conditions for workers have the landlords, tenants, agents, employers, and family apparently worsened. Her arguments include: members of prostitutes may be charged, which implies • Legalization/decriminalization of prostitution and the sex that even independent escort workers must operate in a industry promotes sex trafficking. clandestine manner.” • Legalization/decriminalization of prostitution increases Many activists see decriminalization or legalization as a way clandestine, hidden, illegal and street prostitution. to increase safety for sex workers. Pivot Legal Society in Vancouver released a report this year called Beyond • Legalization of prostitution and decriminalization of the sex Decriminalization. The report, based on consultation with industry increases child prostitution. sex workers, lays out detailed recommendations for law • Legalization/decriminalization of prostitution does not protect reform, including: the women in prostitution.

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• Legalization/decriminalization of prostitution increases the supporting our members to provide support and advocacy demand for prostitution. It boosts the motivation of men to buy for sex trade workers, and to continuing open dialogue that women for sex in a much wider and more permissible range of will help us in this work. We encourage all programs to build socially acceptable settings. connections with others in their community who are working • Women in systems of Prostitution do not want the sex industry with sex workers (see Services for Sex Workers page 13), so legalized or decriminalized. that we can participate in a collaborative and coordinated response to sex workers who have experienced violence Raymond and the Coalition advocate for decriminalizing or exploitation. sex workers, as “no woman should be punished for her own exploitation.” But they believe that “pimps, buyers, procurers, brothels or other sex establishments” should still be criminalized. According to studies done in BC and elsewhere, however, this partial decriminalization—like that in place in Canada—still ends up criminalizing sex workers (Pivot, PACE, Lowman, BCCLA). These are just a few of the many issues related to sex trade work in BC. At the BCASVACP, we are committed to

LEGISLATION AND ATTITUDES PUT SEX WORKERS AT RISK BY JODY PATERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PEERS VICTORIA

For thousands of Canadian women sex workers, violence is a In Victoria, our non-profit agency – Prostitutes Empowerment fact of life not only at home but at work. Their business is Education and Resource Society (PEERS) – provides late- selling sex, but being raped, assaulted and even murdered are night outreach seven nights a week on the main outdoor strolls. seemingly inherent aspects of the work. Women who work in We like to think our presence every night, in the motor home Canada’s sex trade are 120 times more likely to be victims of we use as a mobile drop-in, is reducing some of the risks for violence than other women. workers. But it will take much more than that to address the Canada’s laws and attitudes toward the sex trade, particularly systemic violence of outdoor prostitution. since Criminal Code provisions were toughened in the mid- The paths that lead to the sex trade are as diverse as the 1980s, have created one of the most dangerous workplaces in women who end up working in it. Tough, funny and the world. resourceful, few would characterize themselves as victims, Outdoor sex workers in particular – who make up an including those who were barely teenagers when they first estimated 10 to 20 per cent of Canadian sex workers – endure started sex work. Most want out of sex work by the time they routine violence. The “bad date” sheet that circulates among come to PEERS, but that’s not to say that all sex workers are Victoria’s outdoor sex workers, for instance, typically features unhappy. With an estimated 850 sex workers on the job a frightening list of vicious assaults, robberies and rapes in Greater Victoria, primarily in indoor venues like escort that have been committed against the 85 or so women and agencies and massage parlours, many can be presumed to be transgendered people who work the outdoor stroll. doing just fine.

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But by the time a woman is working the outdoor stroll in our We believe strongly in the service model that PEERS uses community and elsewhere, it usually means much is going to support sex workers. Founded 10 years ago by former sex wrong in her life. By that point, it’s likely that selling sex is workers, PEERS works hard at maintaining a grassroots the only way she can survive, especially if she’s drug-addicted. focus. Three-quarters of our current staff have sex-trade Indoor venues don’t want her anymore, leaving her to stand and addiction backgrounds themselves, and know exactly on the sidewalk and hustle strangers as they drive past in what it takes to turn a life around based on their own their vehicles. The community doesn’t want her anymore difficult experiences. either, forcing her to work in the dark, out of sight, after the Until Canadians reject the frightening work conditions mainstream world has closed down for the night. affecting this large population of workers, women will Almost all of Victoria’s outdoor sex workers are addicted, continue to be beaten and raped by men who know there’s skinny and sick. More than half have mental-health little chance they’ll ever be caught. More than 100 sex workers diagnoses. Close to a third have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum have been murdered in B.C. alone in the last 20 years, and Disorder, the life-altering brain damage caused by a woman that’s not even counting Vancouver’s “missing women.” drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Formal education levels We’ll stop the violence when we develop laws and policies are low – Grade 8 and 9 in many cases. Aboriginal rates are based on the realities of prostitution from the perspective of high: twenty per cent in a region where the rate is two per those who work in it. Agencies like PEERS are trying, cent in the overall population. Some have mental disabilities; but we need the support of our sisters at women’s organiza- many others have chronic poor health from hepatitis-C, HIV tions across the country just to put this issue on the and chronic staph infections. public agenda. In other words, the women working the stroll are extremely Jody Paterson is executive disadvantaged. They’d be at high risk of bad things happening director of Prostitutes in their life no matter what, but the risk is considerably Empowerment Education higher when you factor in the working conditions: outdoors, and Resource Society, a in the dark, and typically in an industrial and poorly lit part grassroots organization started of town. The fact that sex work is somewhere between legal 10 years ago in Victoria by and illegal in Canada makes the situation even worse, as sex former sex workers and workers don’t feel like they have the option of seeking help supporters. For more information from police, hospitals, or even sexual assault centers when on the PEERS program, things happen to them on the job. visit www.peers.bc.ca.

BCASVACP Member’s Toll-Free Line! 1-877-633-2505

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO SUPPORTING SEX WORKERS ACROSS BC

PEERS PRINCE GEORGE (PEERS PG)— school for her BSW. She says, “I have always been very open Survival Sex Workers Support Society and honest about my past. If I can’t be honest about my past, PEERS PRINCE GEORGE Survival Sex Workers how can I work with women and tell them not to be ashamed Support Society (PEERS PG) was started in of what they had to do to survive? September 2005 by Barbara Mallett, a former survival Barbara feels if there had been an agency like PEERS PG at sex worker, community supporters and students from the time, she would have been able to leave the survival sex the University of Northern British Columbia’s work industry sooner. Barbara says, “Because I was giving Bachelor of Social Work Program. PEERS PG is not up the connections and people involved in the survival sex officially affiliated with the PEERS in Victoria or work community, I needed to develop healthy connections in Vancouver, but has modeled their constitution and the community” bylaws on Victoria PEERS. Barbara now sees all her “dates” as sexual assaults, PEERS PG received its first funding in March, 2006 as a though she did not believe it at the time. She says Social Grant from the City of Prince George, followed by a counsellors and sex workers need to realize this about grant from MPSSG to be used to develop a presence in the survival sex work. She recognizes that women start and community and establish a relationship with the women continue survival sex work for various reasons. She involved in the survival sex work industry. This is being herself started the work for the money, and ended up achieved by offering a weekly educational/support group and staying in it to support a drug addiction. But, she says, doing outreach so the women begin to trust and establish a “There comes a time when you realize it’s not what you relationship with PEERS PG. They give out “street kits” want for the rest of your life” Her goal for PEERS PG that include items such as deodorant, toiletries, toothbrushes, is to provide non-judgemental support to “keep women information, and safe sex supplies. alive and safe, so that if and when they decide to make PEERS PG has applied for further funding through the changes they’re still around to make them.” Vancouver Foundation for developing and running a 12- week Life Skills Program which would run twice a week for two hours. This program would focus on PTSD, addictions, childhood traumas and other key issues. “These are the things that send women out on the streets and keep them there,” says Barbara. She hopes that in the future PEERS PG will be able to support women through advocacy and help accessing treatment centres. Ideally, she would love to see supportive housing and a recovery house for women in Prince George. She is currently meeting with community agencies to build relationships and to seek guidance about what is needed in the community. As PEERS PG grows, at least 50% of the Board and Staff will be ex-survival sex workers. Barbara worked in the survival sex work industry for 22 years, until 1998. Following the advice of a Facilitator of a Candy Girl by Krystyna Andrianos Bridging Program to put her skills and experience to work From Stories from the Margin, a booklet of sex workers’ helping women who were in the sex trade, she went back to art and writing produced by Victoria PEERS.

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Willow Wrap-Around Program Haven Society Addictions, sex work, criminal activities—these may be part of (in collaboration with Nanaimo and Area a woman’s experience, but they are not all of her. Resource Services for Families)— NANAIMO The Willow Program provides supportive housing for “women with or without children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to violence, their experience of sex-trade activity, addictions and/or incarceration.” They have three houses (about 15 beds) in the Nanaimo area, and residents participate in a day program. The program includes regular group activities as well as a Personal Action Plan that each woman develops for herself with the assistance of staff. The plan might include work, school, other forms of counselling, or visiting her kids if they are in care. Women usually stay for around six months, though some stay for shorter or longer times depending on their needs. Willow is funded through January 2007 through the federal Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative. The Day Program Coordinator, Dawn Clark, estimates that 75% of the women in the program have been involved in sex work, whether it’s exchanging sex for money or for other things like drugs or shelter (“survival sex”). Dawn finds that often it can be helpful for women to stay more than six months in the program, so that they can take the information Where the Money goes by Gwen From Stories from the Margin, a booklet of sex workers’ they have gathered and begin to “internalize it, integrate it, art and writing produced by Victoria PEERS. live it.” Willow does not ask women to leave at the end of six months. Rather, they help women build independence Battered Women’s Support Services and Sex through school, work or other activities, and this naturally Workers Action Network— VANCOUVER leads women to seek independent housing when the timing Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) has makes sense. Women can also come back to the program if partnered with Sex Workers Action Network (SWAN) to need be. “You have to be flexible,” says Dawn. “Everyone is increase both organizations’ capacity to support sexually so different.” Three women who went through the program exploited youth. BWSS has CBVAP and STV have returned to work as managers at the residences. Counselling programs, as well as a Dating Violence The Willow Program is “strengths-based,” and emphasizes the Education program and other initiatives focused on positives. For example, says Dawn, “The Personal Action Plan violence against women and children. SWAN is “a group is a living document and can be modified as needed.” The of women working to make massage parlour work safer, to woman’s initial goals might have been too much, or turn out not inform ourselves and others about our rights, and to bring to be what she needs. What’s important is for women to have a forward the opinions of working women into public sense of accomplishment. Willow also uses a harm reduction policy and social services.” model. If women “slip” back into patterns they were trying to Money for the project comes from the Community Capacity break, the program looks at it as a learning opportunity: what Building Project Fund of the Assistant Deputy Minister’s caused the slip and how they can work on these issues together. Committee on Prostitution and Sexually Exploited Children The referral process is very simple. Willow accepts referrals and Youth (MPSSG). from workers, family members and women themselves. They As part of the project, BWSS and SWAN will hire a don’t gather a lot of information in advance, but wait to get it Community Organizer and Outreach Program Coordinator. from the woman during assessment so that they don’t get pre- This person will network with immigrant serving, youth conceptions. “We look at the woman as a whole,” says Dawn.

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and women’s organizations to increase knowledge on issues Executive Director of BWSS. It also differs from many other relating to off street exploitation of young women and girls. sexual exploitation projects because it does not focus on They will work in collaboration with SWAN to develop, plan recruitment. “We’re looking at the root causes,” says Angela. and deliver SWAN programs. The project will also involve “Why are women and girls vulnerable in the first place?” the existing BWSS Dating Violence Program to develop, in Those involved in the project work from the assumption that consultation with youth, presentations and materials related women can make an informed choice to work in the sex trade, to sexual exploitation. and that some sex workers feel empowered in their work. The This project is unique in its focus on sexual exploitation of hope is that through education and outreach the project will women and girls from ethnocultural and immigrant commu- help women and girls to be clear about their own values and to nities. “This is a challenging topic for ethnocultural and immi- be as empowered as possible. grant communities to discuss,” says Angela MacDougall,

THE ANTI-SEX WORK ANTI-TRAFFICKING AGENDA: A THREAT TO SEX WORKERS’ HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS Statement from the Network of Sex Work Projects (Booth 98) at the XIV International Conference on AIDS, Barcelona, July 2002 We include this document in the newsletter as an important summary especially the case for projects working with youth. of the ways in which some activism against sex work has actually • They resurrect old notions of sex workers as victims made women less safe. through calls for sex work to be treated as “violence While a number of anti-trafficking organisations recognise sex against women.” Community empowerment is now wide- work as a legitimate profession, those organisations that seek to ly recognised as essential for HIV prevention among sex repress sex work and sex workers are gaining the upper hand. workers. “Victimisation” works against empowerment. These include internationally active, highly funded organisa- • They lead to repressive measures against sex workers tions such as the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women and migrant sex workers. In a number of countries, “anti- (CATW). CATW recently published a “hit list” of organisa- trafficking” activities have included brothel raids, tions receiving US funding, accusing them of “promoting summary deportation and laws restricting women’s prostitution.” This hit list includes well-known and well- freedom of movement. respected organisations providing essential HIV care and • They divert attention from the issues that are of concern prevention services to sex workers in a number of countries. to the majority of the worlds’ sex workers by sensational- This is not an isolated incident. Elements of the anti-trafficking ising stories of lost innocence. These issues include the movement are using the anti-trafficking agenda to push for recognition of sex work as labour, the right to migration, repressive policies such as the criminalisation of sex work and the right to live free from police and state violence, to the restriction of women´s ability to migrate. Far from being a form our own organisations, and access to health care solution to the pressing problems faced by migrant sex workers, services, including HIV prevention and care. repressive policies increase vulnerability to infection and vio- The Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) calls upon all lence. Those anti-trafficking campaigns which implicitly or those organisations involved in HIV prevention and care, in explicitly support repressive measures threaten sex workers´ particular UNAIDS and WHO, to reject the repressive health and human rights in the following ways: anti-trafficking agenda and to affirm their solidarity with • Projects that use a non-judgemental, non-stigmatising those organisations under threat. We demand continued approach to sex worker HIV prevention are threatened support of organisations working to promote the health and with public denouncement and loss of funding. This is human rights of all sex workers.

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FROM THE GODDESS GAZETTE, NEWSLETTER OF THE PRINCE GEORGE NEW HOPE SOCIETY

THANKS TO CHRISTAL CAPOSTINSKY, COORDINATOR

New Hope At A Glance History of Sex Work in Prince George “From a tiny seed grows a small yet potentially blossoming The history of selling sex in Prince George dates back a bud.” This quote sums up the past year that New Hope long time. Selling sex has not always been dangerous, has been open. undignified, or based on survival. One local piece of our It all began in June of 2005 when I had the opportunity history dates back to the 1920s. Carmen Montgomery- to meet with a small, yet powerfully passionate group of Elliot was a well-know proprietor of several “Happy womyn who identified as the BC Coalition of Houses” around town. In 1928, the Albany Rooms was Experiential Women. At that time, I had only been a patronized by mill workers and loggers. The men would member of the coalition for a few months. The ideas that arrive by the CNR line passenger service on Friday came out of the meeting were so inspiring. night, stay at the Albany Rooms and catch the 6 AM Monday morning train back to work. It was shocking to realize that there were no services specifically geared towards sex workers in Prince George. Prince George’s first city hall was housed in a former Actually, there were no services for them in the entire brothel located near Third and Victoria. The former northern region of BC. Considering the devastating brothel, known as Irene Jordan’s Palace of Pleasure, was problems that surface around “prostitution,” I felt the first two-piano brothel in the northern interior. The committed to do something to help empower the womyn establishment fell on hard times and was moved to Third on our streets. and Victoria where it was leased by the City and converted into Prince George’s first City Hall. New Hope opened their doors for the first time on September 4, 2005. It is heart wrenching to watch womyn It is important to us, as womyn who have or are involved suffer because they have nowhere to go and they feel so in selling sex for survival or by choice, to take a moment isolated. This is a common topic on Sunday nights when and acknowledge that “problems” of sex work is not the drop in centre is open. We offer our smiles, hugs and the act of selling sex but rather the conditions in which support to give back some of the hope that has been lost it occurs. The problems for us are about violence, addic- from so many lives. The centre has been operating for tions, poverty, homelessness and so on. Furthermore, nearly a year now and averages around 12 womyn on a when you add stigma and discrimination to the likes of it Sunday evening for the four hours that it is open. To date, all, it further jeopardizes the womyn who are actively we have provided services to over 60 different womyn. At involved in this line of work. We wanted to include a bit the centre we have a small kitchen, lounge area, computer about history in our first edition as a testament to all the area and workshop room. womyn who have not been included in the writing of “history” everywhere. Our first priority is to help the womyn in the immediacy of their circumstances. The reality of it is to “help them Research provided by: the PG Public Library, the PG Oral to stay alive” until they may be ready to exit sex work. For History Society, Bob Harkin’s “Prince George’s Memorable more information contact us at (250) 552-0890 or go to Mayors” speech (1999) and by EF Williams’ 1994 “Ladies www.princegeorgenewhopesociety.ca. of the Night” bus tour timeline.

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Tip from the Frontlines

When I was employed as a Community-Based I was only available business hours for her Victim Services Worker, I had a client who was but this is a suggestion for agencies serving a nightclub/bar-room dancer and therefore women who work unusual hours and places. travelled extensively through out BC and It was very convenient for her to contact me Alberta. The resource that was invaluable to without running up her cell phone bill as our us was our agency having a toll free number conversations were often lengthy. that would work for her from anywhere in Lurind Jeaneaux, Dawson Creek Outreach Canada and even from pay phones.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF MISSING & MURDERED WOMEN IN VANCOUVER FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH MARILYNNE JOHNNY AND NORMA PARR

Since 2002, Marilynne Johnny and Freda Enns have place. They also, with permission, contact support services in been supporting families of the 63 women from the their area to find out what is available. Downtown Eastside who have been reported missing or Most of the missing women were involved in the sex trade murdered. Previously, Freda and Marilynne had worked and had drug addictions, making them extremely vulnerable with many of the women who ended up missing, provid- to violence. As Marilynne puts it, “they are perceived to be at ing support through the Vancouver Police and Native the very bottom of society.” Liaison, a CBVAP in the Downtown Eastside. Marilynne and Freda have recently been joined by a third worker, Last year the Task Force and Victim Services travelled across Norma Parr, and all three are part of the Missing Canada and into the United States to make face-to-face Women’s Task Force, under the Crime Victim Assistance contact with the families of all the women involved in the Program (CVAP) at the Victim Services and Community Pickton case. The goal of the visits was to get more of a sense Programs Division of the Ministry of Public Safety and of what was going on in the families, to help them access Solicitor General. emotional support and apply for funding to travel to the preliminary hearings. Robert Pickton has been charged with killing 26 of these women, and their families are now preparing for his trial, Meeting the families was an eye-opening experience for which begins in January of next year. Marilynne. The women came from a range of race and class backgrounds, and some of them came from fairly privileged More than 200 family members, including about 80 families. This was not what Marilynne expected, and it children, are involved with the missing and murdered was clear that these families had never expected their relatives women. The three workers support families by providing to end up in the Downtown Eastside. She found that the them with court updates, helping them apply for Crime families, many of whom had been alienated from their loved Victim Assistance and checking in with them regularly to see ones, wished that they had been able to do more for them, how they are doing and whether they have support systems in

PAGE 11 NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

and were eager to learn more about addiction and street and crafts. They put flowers, photos and poems on the fence life. Some of the families are concerned about other family around the Pickton property as memorials to the women. members who may be at risk, and want to be able to help Women’s groups and other visitors came from across the them. Many family members have visited the Downtown country. Technicians and investigators would come over from Eastside to get more of a sense of what happened to the crime scene to be with the families and give and receive their children. support. On Mother’s Day 2002, children from a nearby The years of providing support to the families have, of school came and lit candles for each of the women and sang course, been very intense for the Marilynne and Freda. One a song in their honour. The tent stayed up until the search of the most powerful experiences was spending time with the was called off in 2004. families at the crime scene investigation at the Pickton farm. During the trial there will be a room at the New West Police When the investigation started at the farm in February 2002, Department that will be a safe space for the families away families of the missing women began coming to the site. The from media and outside of their hotel rooms. Marilynne, Task Force set up a tent across the road from the farm, and Freda and Norma will be there to offer support. donations started coming in from residents and business in For updates about the Pickton case, go to Port Coquitlam, including a heater, a wooden floor for the www.cbc.ca/ news/background/pickton/ or tent, coffee and food. Families supported each other, and also www.rcmp-bcmedia.ca/missing_women.jsp. got support from members of the public who visited the site. They held healing ceremonies and made quilts and other arts

COALITION OF EXPERIENTIAL WOMEN: BC SEX WORKERS ORGANIZE FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH CO-FOUNDER AND MEMBER AMANDA BONELLA

The BC Coalition of Experiential Women (BCCEW) is a presented at the 2006 Harm Reduction Conference in small group of women who advocate on behalf of sex workers. Vancouver. The Coalition found an innovative way to Members must have experience in the sex trade, a record of repay the participants in this research: quotes from the positive relationships with other sex workers and a proven report were printed on T-shirts, the shirts were sold at the level of activism and advocacy. The Coalition was formed conference and the money was given to the interviewees. three years ago, and meets about every six months, as the BCCEW has also established an award in honour of members are spread out across the province. They have activist and co-founder Raven Bowen, which will be given received funds from Status of Women Canada and through annually to an outstanding sex worker activist. the Vancouver Agreement. Currently, the Coalition is beginning the development of a One of their first projects was to consult with 70 sex new model of tracking bad dates. They are investigating workers about working conditions and safety. They have barriers to reporting, and working towards a more consis- since researched media portrayal of sex workers and pub- tent and streamlined process. One of the long-term projects lished a newsletter called Got Game. A recent BCCEW of the BCCEW is working towards decriminalization of study, From the Curb (see Sex Work Resources, page 14), sex work. interviewed sex workers about violence and domestic (inside Canada) trafficking. Results of the research were

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PAGE 14 NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

SEXUAL ASSAULT & COORDINATION: THE NANAIMO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN COORDINATION COMMITTEE

In our three newsletters for 2006, the Association CBVAP program for follow-up support. The CBVAP profiles projects across the province that are program participates in hiring nurses for the program, coordinating their responses to sexual assault— regularly attends staff meetings at the hospital, and carries that is, bringing different sectors together out public education in partnership with the nurses. to improve services for women who have been In the first six months of the program, the number of sexual sexually assaulted. assault survivors seen in the Emergency Room doubled. Nanaimo is the second-largest city on Vancouver CBVAP now receives between 30 and 35 referrals a year Island, with a population of about 80,000. from the SANE nurses. The program started out serving Nanaimo only, and has since expanded to serve surrounding The Nanaimo Violence Against Women Committee has communities like Duncan, Parksville and Ladysmith, as well worked hard for a number of years to develop a successful as communities on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) program at nurses travel to these communities to see patients, except at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. The idea was originally night or in bad weather. Police-Based Victim Services will see proposed by Nanaimo Community-Based Victim Services at patients at night, as CBVAP does not have the capacity to the Coordination Committee’s Protocol Subcommittee, provide 24-hour service. which included representatives from Community-Based and Police-Based Victim Services, police, Crown, Nanaimo Years of collaboration and planning have resulted in a client- Regional General Hospital Emergency and the Native centred, sensitive service for women who have been sexually Friendship Centre. In 2003, after years of discussion, all assaulted. Both CBVAP and Nanaimo Regional are very members of the subcommittee agreed to support the idea. pleased with the outcome. Consultation with a nurse from the Woman Abuse Response Thanks to Teresa Gerritsen, CBVAP worker at Haven Society and Program at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre in Chair of the Nanaimo VAWIR Coordination Committee, and Vancouver helped build support for the idea among hospital Michelle Novakowski, who held these two positions previous to personnel (the Woman Abuse Response Program offers Teresa, for this information. And a reminder to readers that the consultation to communities across BC in this area). Community Coordination for Women’s Safety Project can help your The SANE program now has ten trained nurses working in community develop a coordinated response like this one. the Emergency Room. The program is very client-centred, emphasizing patient consent, autonomy and access to information. All patients, with consent, are referred to the

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.endingviolence.org

or e-mail: [email protected]

PAGE 15 NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

REMINDER: Staffing Changes in the Safe Programs Can Call Us Z Choices Program for Direct Case Support Cindy Holmes has left her position as Coordinator of the Safe Choices Program at the BCASVACP after six years We want to remind all programs that you are more than developing and managing this program. Cindy has recently welcome to call us anytime for support and strategizing started a PhD at UBC Okanagan where she will continue about issues that you are struggling with. her work researching abuse in lesbian relationships. She will also continue to work as an independent consultant on These are some of the issues we have recently received a variety of issues, including violence impacting lesbian, calls about: gay, bisexual and trans communities. • Increased demand for services, resulting in high Susan Armstrong, Program Manager at the BCASVACP, caseloads and vicarious trauma replaces Cindy as the new Coordinator of the Safe • The impact of accreditation Choices Program. Susan has worked as a therapist, • Records management clinical supervisor, researcher and community educator in • Files subpoenaed by MCFD, defence lawyers or the field of trauma for twelve years. She has been an invited the offender speaker to numerous public forums on the topic of abuse in lesbian relationships and effective and adequate • Managing new Outreach Programs services to lesbians. Susan has provided training at the • Advocacy with MHR and other systems university and college level on counselling gay, lesbian, • Using third party reporting bisexual and trans folk and has experience providing • The need for consultation and support for CBVAP counselling to the queer community. workers (who do not have a plan similar to the STV Cheyene Dyer (former coordinator of the Safe Choices Counsellor Support Plan) Program while Cindy was on maternity leave in 2003/04) • Training needs for new STV counsellors as well as has been hired to develop curriculum for the Safe Choices other workers Program during the summer and fall of 2006. In addition Please feel free to call us at 604-633-2506 to coordinating the SC program in 2003/04, Cheyene or toll-free for members 1-877-633-2505. worked for many years as a counsellor/coordinator with STV Counselling and Outreach programs should call BC Women’s Sexual Assault Service. She has been Susan Armstrong (ext 12), and involved with the Safe Choices program as a workshop CBVAPs and Sexual Assault Centres should call facilitator and trainer as well as as a member of the Harjit Kaur (ext 13) or Network Against Abuse in Same-Sex Relationships. Tracy Porteous (ext 11). Over the summer and fall, Cheyene will be working to consolidate, enhance and develop the curricula.

! and CBVAP Listservs! • Emerging issues (recent issues discussed on the listservs include waitlists, computers and confidentiality All STV Counselling and CBVAP workers in our member and more!) programs are invited to join our listservs. • New resources ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL OR CALL • Training opportunities HABIBA AT THE ASSOCIATION. • And much much more! Once Habiba signs you up, you will receive emails in your Contact Habiba at 604-633-2506 or Inbox with information and discussion about: [email protected]. We want to hear from you.

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006 EMERGING SPIRIT: From Violence to Social Justice through Faith and Culture BCASVACP Annual Training Forum 2006 November 29 & 30, 2006 (AGM December 1) • Plaza 5006 Hotel, Vancouver The 2006 BCASVACP Annual Training Forum will explore lent to trauma by personal and cultural histories of privilege the ways in which culture, faith and spirituality can or oppression. contribute to the healing processes of women and children Dr. Rev. Sharon Davis Ellis: who have experienced violence, and look at ways in which Professor, Outreach Minister & Pastor, coordination with faith sectors can increase safety. Certified Domestic Violence Counsellor, For many years, as anti-violence workers, we have been Advocate for Victims of Domestic Violence steeped in stories of how religious and cultural traditions & full time Police Officer from Chicago, Illinois have functioned to keep women and others in situations of Sharon’s keynote is “Am I My Sisters’ Keeper? The Church danger and have placed responsibility on women for the Responds to Violence Against Women.” She will discuss the violence they experience. In a post-9/11 world we have also work of survivors and advocates in challenging the Christian been inundated with false constructions of faith and culture church on its participation in sexism, racism, and homophobia, and an atmosphere of fear has been instilled. and how from these challenges some churches have responded It is time to look at the vast resources that culture, faith and positively with anti-violence programming and support spirit bring to a survivor’s process. It is time to hear the voices to survivors. of those within faith and cultural communities who have been A few of the diverse workshops that will be offered are: advocates of integrity, safety and respect for all. • The Journey Within: The Training Forum will provide an opportunity for anti- Using Spirituality as a Vehicle for Change violence responders to • Be My Spirit Whole: • Share inspiring and empowering stories about culture, Practical Methods for the Feminist Warrior faith and healing • To Forgive or Not to Forgive, Which is the Question? • Learn about cultural and faith/spirit based programs and resources • Which Self Am I For? Feminist Perspectives on Intersecting Identities • Strategize about how to work with these programs and resources in a coordinated, effective manner • Violation of Sacred Trust: Sexual Abuse of Women by Clergy • Learn culturally and spiritually based processes for addressing violence that is perpetrated within • Cultural and Religious Accommodations: specific communities Rights and Best Practices for Program Managers • Build skills for respecting and understanding the interac- • Strengthening Community Coordination With Christian tions between culture, faith, spirit, violence and healing Faith Communities to Increase Safety We are excited to announce that two of our keynote A full training forum brochure with registration information speakers are: will be mailed to all programs in September and posted on our website www.endingviolence.org. Laura S. Brown, Ph.D. ABPP: Feminist therapist, ethicist, writer & forensic Registration Fee: BCASVACP Members and Coordination psychologist from Seattle, Washington Initiative Representatives: $150; Non-Members: $180 Laura’s keynote is “More Than A Flashback: Existential We look forward to connecting with you all at our training and Multicultural Issues in Trauma Treatment.” She will forum and engaging in dialogue as we move forward on explore going beyond the overt symptoms of trauma in the creating safety and healing for women. counselling process and attending carefully to the meanings

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006 VICTIM SERVICES AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DIVISION, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY & SOLICITOR GENERAL BY VSCPD STAFF

Staffing Update Notifications Annamaria Fischer has started a new assignment with the Victims of crime and civil restraining order protected parties Division until January 2007 as our Program Delivery and can register with the Victim Safety Unit to be kept up-to-date Information Coordinator. Kathy Ellis is backfilling for on their offenders. We are connected to CORNET, the B.C. Annamaria while she is on assignment. Kathy can be Corrections database and can notify registrants about offend- reached at [email protected] or 604-0334 (same phone er custody (jail) or community (probation, bail) movements or number) for any training and publication inquiries. changes as soon as they are entered into the system. Examples of movements include releases, admissions, transfers (both Division Contact List custody and community) and applications for parole.

Susanne E. Dahlin, Executive Director, 604-660-5272, After Hours Notifications [email protected] We are pleased to inform you that we can now provide noti- Mary Clare Zak, Manager, Program Delivery and fications of offender after hours release from custody to Communications, 604-6601872, [email protected] Victim Safety Unit registrants. “After hours” refers to Eliza Li, Program Manager, responsible for the North evenings, weekends and statutory holidays. We have part- and part of the Fraser Valley (Coquitlam, White Rock, nered with VictimLINK, the Ministry’s province wide, 24- Port Moody, New Westminster), 604-660-3904, hour information, support and referral service to support [email protected] notification to registrants of offender after hours release from custody. The Victim Safety Unit staff will continue to call Erin Arnold, Program Manager, responsible for the Island registrants to provide the full range of notifications during and the Interior, 604-660-2527, [email protected] regular business hours. Elizabeth Murtagh, Program Manager, responsible for Examples of after hours release from custody include: Vancouver, province-wide contracts and part of the Fraser • Confirmation of weekend and statutory holiday “sentence Valley (Abbotsford, Mission, Agassiz, Chilliwack, Delta, end” releases: Offenders who have completed their sen- Hope/ Boston Bar, Langley, Maple Ridge), 604-660-5124, tences are usually released in the mornings, 7 days a week, [email protected]. on the scheduled or “probable discharge” date. Although we have already notified registrants of the impending Victim Safety Unit Update – May 2006 release, we offer the option of a call on that day to confirm New Staff that the offender was indeed released. We are pleased to welcome two new staff to the Victim Safety • Releases at court: An offender or accused may have been Unit. Michelle Trigardi, formerly with Burnaby Police Based in custody and is released at court on a weekday. Victim Services will be replacing Eva Esmann who is going on However, the release may not be entered into CORNET maternity leave. Anita Lee, who has worked as a specialized until after 4:30 p.m. Victim Service Worker and with VictimLINK, is replacing Tanya Cacic, who will be returning from maternity leave this fall. • Release on parole: An offender may be granted parole during the weekday and may be released as early as that We welcome your feedback, questions or concerns. day, if the parole eligibility date has been reached and all Karen Spears Manager, ,Victim Safety Unit of the parole conditions are met. However, an offender 604-660-0333/1-877-316-8822 granted parole may have to wait to be released until a [email protected] condition can be met (for example: a bed in a recovery Michelle Trigardi/ Anita Lee, Caseworkers, Victim Safety Unit house). The release may not be entered into CORNET 604-660-0316/1-877-315-8822 until after hours.

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

• Escape from custody: Escapes from provincial custody immediate family member attendance and participation in are very unusual but can happen at any time. They may justice-related proceedings. not be entered into CORNET until after hours. Eligible applicants are: VictimLINK is now able to provide the above notifications • Victims who have suffered significant physical or that previously would not have been completed by the emotional trauma as a result of a serious criminal offence. Victim Safety Unit until the next business day. New: If the victim requires a support person in order to attend and participate in the justice proceeding, one Pro-Active Notifications support person, including a victim service worker, may Many victims of crime believe that they will automatically be also be eligible. notified when an offender is about to be released from custody. • Immediate family members of deceased victims who are Although B.C. Corrections is mandated to provide K-file not eligible for travel assistance through the Crime (violence in relationship) notifications and will attempt Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). Eligible immediate notification automatically, other victims of crime should register family members include the parents, spouse, children, with the Victim Safety Unit. K-file victims may also register and siblings as defined in the Victims of Crime Act. with the Victim Safety Unit for additional notifications. Common examples of circumstances where the person As a backup process for victims who are not registered with may be eligible for the Victim Travel Fund, but not us, the Victim Safety Unit does attempt to locate victims of CVAP include: crime whose offenders are about to be released from custody • The immediate family member did not apply for CVAP at the end of their sentences on court files in which that within the one year deadline time limit person was the victim. • The victim of a serious offence is alive (CVAP only For example, in the period of time from May 2005 to May covers justice proceeding related travel for immediate 2006, the Victim Safety Unit staff attempted to contact 472 family members when the victim is deceased as a result of people by phone or mail to let them know they could request the offence) information about the offender. We successfully made contact • The victim or immediate family member did not apply with 85 people, which is less than 20%. Of these 85 people, 75 for CVAP within the one year deadline of them (or 88%) requested information because they did not know when the offender was to be released from custody. Some • The offence which led to the death of the victim is not a did not even know that the offender was in custody or that the scheduled CVAP offence (for example, impaired driving offender had been convicted. causing death) Also, our pro-active process only applies to offenders being • The immediate family member application for benefits released at the end of their sentences (if the sentence is 30 through CVAP was denied days or more) and therefore, we miss victims of offenders For more information about Victim Travel Fund eligibility, released on parole and victims of offenders released at court. please see our website or call the Victim Safety Unit. This demonstrates how important it is for victims of crime and Webpage Update civil restraining order protected parties to register with the The Victim Safety Unit webpage has been updated to Victim Safety Unit if they would like to request information include Notifications – Frequently Asked Questions - and regarding the offender. For more information about notifications information about the Victim Travel Fund. Please refer to or how to register for notification, please see our website or the link provided: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victim_services/ call the Victim Safety Unit. notification/index.htm.

Travel Fund Questions? Call the Victim Safety Unit: 604-660-0316/ The Victim Travel Fund is a program which provides funding 604-660-0333 or 1-877-315-8822/ 1-877-316-8822. to a maximum of $3,000.00 per victim to facilitate victim or

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

STOPPING THE VIOLENCE BRANCH, MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES BY ALIXE KNIGHTON, DIRECTOR, STOPPING THE VIOLENCE BRANCH

It’s true – change is the only constant. 2006-07 Contracts The contract process this year has gone remarkably smoothly, Departmental redesign thanks in part to our new computer system, but more partic- The changes afoot right now include a redesign of the ularly because of the professional efforts of the Contract Women’s, Seniors’ and Community Services Department, of Management team. In addition to your contract managers, which we are part. Besides our branch, the Department Leslie Page, Erin Dale, Susan Rivet and Loesha Donaldson, includes the Community Partnerships Branch, which is I’d like to thank Deborah Nilsen, Renée Audy, Dana responsible for urban development agreements, like the Daynard and Mary Wong for ensuring a smooth process. Vancouver Agreement, the Premier’s Advisory Council on And thanks, as always, to all of you for your cooperation and Aging and Seniors’ Issues and Community Transition, and the assistance throughout. Policy Analysis and Information Branch, responsible for policy, research, correspondence and the Department’s website, Community Action for which will be undergoing some changes in the near future. Women’s Safety Symposium As a result of the departmental redesign, Stopping the In the last newsletter I talked about the $1 million in Violence Branch, in addition to our usual responsibilities for Community Action for Women’s Safety grants, which violence prevention and intervention services, will also be Minister Ida Chong announced last January. We funded 65 taking on program and contract responsibilities from other projects for prevention of violence against women initiatives branches in the Department. For example, we already have throughout the province. Almost 50% of the grants went to responsibility for overseeing Empowered to Work, the organizations with projects aimed at preventing violence women’s mentoring pilot projects that began last fiscal year. against Aboriginal women. In addition, we will acquire the Bladerunners program, an Minister Chong will be hosting a Community Action for inner city employment program the primary service target of Women’s Safety Symposium on September 15, 2006 in which is Aboriginal youth. Should there be any future Vancouver. All those who applied for the grants have been invited program requirements related to seniors, we will undertake to the symposium, but unfortunately we have limited room, so those as well. we will accept applications on a first come, first served basis, by The changes will not affect how we do business with our region. With a reception the night before and facilitation by Ali existing service providers. Your contracts will not change. Grant, it will be not only a good chance to share learning and You will still have the same contract managers and staff expertise, but fun too! Please visit www.registration.cserv.gov. contacts and they will still respond promptly and effectively bc.ca for more information on this exciting event. to your needs and concerns. Contract Managers Contact Information Loesha Donaldson — A new Executive Director position has been added to the Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast and Fraser Valley division, reporting directly to our Assistant Deputy Minister, 250-356-1792 • [email protected] Barbara Walman, and responsible for the policy and research Susan Rivet — functions of the division, for women and seniors. Anne North Horan is the new Executive Director and brings with her 25 250-387-1259 • [email protected] years of experience in government in the social service field. Erin Dale — Anne will be developing working relationships with other Okanagan; East and West Kootenays ministries to ensure issues of concern to women and seniors 250-953-3441 • [email protected] are addressed across government. We look forward to work- Leslie Page — ing closely with her to advocate for women and seniors with Lower Mainland our government colleagues. 250-387-1387 • [email protected]

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

INITIATIVES, PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Strategic Plan on Sexual Violence Besides the well-publicized case involving the 2 men convicted Report Completed in Vancouver of criminal negligence causing death arising The Association is excited to announce that the report out of a street race where a pedestrian was killed, have you “Strategies and Options Paper for BC on Sexual Violence” heard concerns about conditional sentences from victims via has been completed. Thank you to all programs that your programs? Any concerns you’ve heard about sentencing participated in this research. being too lenient in relation to using firearms would also be very helpful. From the Executive Summary: “The issues and recommendations in this document are informed heavily by There are some critics predicting outcomes that impact the documentation of discussions at the December 7, 2005 victims such as: Provincial Consultation and Strategic Planning Day on • an increase to the number of stays of proceedings, Sexual Violence held the day after the BCASVACP’s Annual • reluctance of Crown to charge and judiciary to find guilty Training Forum ‘Without Consent: Working to End Sexual of some offences to avoid min sentence, Violence in BC.’ The 86 participants of this planning day • more trials so more court delays, were from across BC and were representatives of • fewer guilty pleas, or more cases where Crown accepts Community Based and Police Based Victim Assistance guilty plea to lesser offence not involving a minimum programs, STV Counselling Programs, Outreach Programs, jail sentence, Transition Houses, RCMP, Aboriginal women, and government policy makers… Based on an examination of the • more Aboriginals and other minorities in jail. current political and social landscape and consultations with Some of the offences proposed for increased minimums are service providers, government representatives and umbrella criminal harassment, assault causing bodily harm, and sexual organizations, a comprehensive strategic initiative is outlined assault which are of course of great interest to all of us. in this document. The plan would begin in 2006/07 through to 2008/09 providing options that would enhance service EMDR Training for STV Counsellors delivery, coordination, training, prevention, and increased public awareness. Priority recommendations include: We have been in contact with a trainer who could provide research, provision of educational activities in schools and EMDR training for STV counsellors for a very reduced fee. communities, training for the service sectors and criminal She has indicated that April, August and September 2007 justice personnel, enhanced counselling programs, planning are good times for her to provide this training. If any of you for women’s safety and policy initiatives.” are interested in this EMDR training possibility, please call or email Susan at the Association. We need a minimum of 18 people. VSCPD Reviewing Two Bills

Victim Services and Community Programs Division is Core Training Rescheduled reviewing two Bills to amend the Criminal Code; one that will decrease the use of conditional sentences We will not be going ahead with our proposed September by increasing the number of offences ineligible for offering of the STV Counselling core training, but instead conditional sentences and the other to increase minimum will be offering core training in February, March and penalties and create 2 new offences related to firearm April/07. The rescheduling has been necessitated due to the crime. We are trying to collect your views on this so we news that our training monies have been reduced. This has can communicate them to VSCPD. Please respond with left us with the task of reconfiguring how we will provide any info you can share. core training within a reduced budget. The Association is keenly aware of how important this training is to STV

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006

INITIATIVES, PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS continued

counsellors, and what disappointment there will be for some Volunteer Liability Insurance that the training is delayed. The strong need for the training Member agencies will soon be able to access Volunteer is the reason we remain committed to finding a way to Liability Insurance through the Association. We’d like to provide core training within a reduced budget. We will be extend thanks to Carolyn Sinclair, Executive Director of looking at our tuition fees and subsidy structure and Police Victim Services, who did a lot of work to research and may need to make some changes in order to ensure that we set this up. The MPSSG will be helping with the costs of remain able to offer this training. We will continue to be in coordinating this program. We are still working on setting contact with you once we have the winter dates and subsidy up the master policy–the program will be coordinated structure confirmed. through the BCASVACP and the Police-Based Victim Services Association. Watch for more information in Database of Clinical Supervisors the future. The Association has created a database of names of women who provide clinical supervision to STV counselling programs across the province (those that have been recom- mended by programs). Please contact Susan at the Association if you would like a list of supervisors.

Community Coordination for Women’s Safety Program

CCWS Meets with RCMP “E” Division Re: Referrals On May 30, 2006 the CCWS Team met with Chief from communities wanting to use SIP to address referral Superintendent Richard Bent, Superintendent Byron issues, we realized that we needed to look at this from a Boucher and Corporal Robin Bridge at RCMP “E” provincial, rather than local, level. Division. We had set up the meeting to discuss the lack At the meeting, the RCMP representatives expressed their of referrals between police-based and community-based commitment to look into the referral issue and outlined some victim services and the risk this presents to women leaving of their options, including issuing a memo to detachments abusive situations. and looking at training needs. This meeting came about after many years of work to We were very encouraged by the response to our concerns develop a process with the police, which resulted in the and expect to follow up by the fall. Safety Issues Protocol (SIP). When CCWS began hearing

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:www.endingviolence.org or e-mail:[email protected]

PAGE 22

NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006 AGE OF CONSENT LEGISLATION INTRODUCED

Anti-violence workers should be aware of proposed changes old youth to engage in sexual activity with a partner who is to age of consent legislation, introduced in June 2006. less than five years older. Another time-limited exception Excerpt from Justice Canada News would also be available for existing marriages and Release June 22, 2006: equivalent relationships. As part of the Speech from the Throne commitment to An on-line version of the legislation will be available at: tackle crime, the Government is proposing to raise the age at www.parl.gc.ca. which youth can consent to sexual activity from 14 to 16 years of age. The existing age of protection of 18 years From FAQs on Age of Consent on for exploitative sexual activity will be maintained. This www.cbc.ca: applies to sexual activity involving prostitution, pornography, What is the age of consent for male-female sex in Canada? or where there is a relationship of trust, authority, dependency Until the proposed Conservative bill is passed, the age of or any other situation that is otherwise exploitative of a consent in Canada is 14. young person. Does Canada have a different age of consent for homosexual sex? To help ensure that teenagers who engage in consensual In Canada, the age of consent for female-female sex is 14. sexual activity are not criminalized, the legislation includes a The age of consent for anal sex between unmarried couples, close-in-age exception, which would permit 14 and 15 year regardless of sexual orientation, is 18.

LEGAL SERVICES SOCIETY OF BC: PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES BY JANET FREEMAN, FIELDWORKER, VANCOUVER REGIONAL CENTRE

The BCASVACP and the Legal Services Society (LSS) are Resource Catalogue: www.lss.bc.ca/assets/resources/pubs_p/ working together to provide the BCASVACP newsletter pleairc.pdf. with a series of articles about LSS programs and resources. LSS brochures explain how legal aid works and describe We hope that our information will help you in your work with our legal information and brief legal advice services. We women and children who are escaping violence. have booklets that explain Aboriginal law, divorce, living common-law, child protection, sponsorship breakdown, Brochures, booklets and videos criminal matters, peace bonds and restraining orders, LSS public legal education materials cover a variety of family immigration, welfare rights, and seniors’ benefits. We and poverty law issues. They are written in plain language also have a fact sheet series titled “Legal Information and many are available in languages other than English. for Battered Women.” Our videos cover such topics All LSS resources are available free to people in BC (videos as appearances in Family Court, Supreme Court are limited to one free copy for individual community groups). chambers applications, child protection issues, and Materials are available on our website: www.lss.bc.ca/ welfare rights. resources/pubs_main.asp. You can also order hard copies of most LSS publications. The order form for LSS resources is Ordering at www.lss.bc.ca/assets/resources/lsspof.pdf. LSS and other To order materials, you can fax the distribution department public legal education materials are described in our at (604) 682-0965, or email [email protected].

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LEGAL SERVICES SOCIETY OF BC: PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES continued

Legal Information Outreach Workers income limits for lawyer and advice services, and how to Another way to see our materials, or get information about make a legal aid appeal. All of the LSS websites contain a LSS, is to call your local LSS Legal Information Outreach search engine that searches all public legal education and Worker (LIOW). LIOWs do presentations for community information organizations in BC. groups’ staff and volunteers about LSS resources, as well as workshops on how to use our websites to find legal LawLINK website (www.lawlink.bc.ca) information. LIOWs can also help individual clients find LawLINK provides plain language legal information, tips information using one of our public access computers for people new to the Internet, and a list of LSS public available at several locations throughout BC, including all access computer locations. LawLINK also links to the LSS regional centres. Contact names and numbers for Electronic Law Library, which contains more detailed legal LIOWs are: information, such as legislation, court information, and Kamloops: Christine government manuals. Both LawLINK and the Electronic 100–125 Fourth Avenue Law Library list links for personal safety planning and (250) 314-1900 family violence information. Kelowna: TBA Family Law in BC website 307–1664 Richter Street (www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca) (250) 763-8613 This website contains publications about family law, self-help Prince George: Shelley kits for getting or changing family orders in Provincial 302–1488 Fourth Avenue or Supreme Court (including uncontested divorce), child (250) 564-9717 protection kits, a section on how to solve family law Prince Rupert: Carol problems, downloadable videos on court procedures, and 201–3rd Avenue W links to more resources. (250) 624-7701 Elan: Electronic Legal Aid Newsletter Surrey: Sandy LSS publishes a monthly electronic newsletter for community Surrey City Centre Mall, 1370–13450 102nd Avenue workers called Elan (Electronic Legal Aid Newsletter). (604) 585-6595 Elan provides community workers with current information Terrace: Ginny or Michelle about our services, publications, videos, and Web content. It 3212 Emerson Street also helps to establish a dialogue about how we can better (250) 635-2133 or 1-800-787-2511 serve you and your clients. To read the current issue of Elan Vancouver: Rosanna or to subscribe, go to www.lss.bc.ca and click on the link 400–510 Burrard Street under “Elan” in the box on the top right-hand side. (604) 601-6206 Family Law And Child Protection Online Victoria: Kim Discussion Group 200–747 Fort Street LSS has established an online discussion group as a resource (250) 388-4516 for advocates working on child protection and family If the call is long distance, use Enquiry BC to reach a law issues. The list provides information about relevant LIOW: 1-800-663-7867 legislation and useful resources, as well as a forum in which advocates can discuss difficult aspects of a case with LSS website (www.lss.bc.ca) other advocates. If you are interested in joining this This website contains links to all of our publications, online discussion group, please contact Janet at which may be downloaded, or ordered online. It also [email protected]. contains information about legal aid services, including the

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continued

Finding Answers for Your Legal Questions Jenny has also received a phone call from a Ministry of Using Legal Services Society websites Children and Family Development social worker that some- one has complained to them about her parenting because of Scenario: Jenny has come to see you for some counselling. the work she is doing. Jenny wants to know what her rights She is a sex trade worker and, although she has seen you are and how she should prepare for the social worker’s visit. before when she was a victim of assault, now she has been A friend told her about something called Child Protection charged with assaulting one of her customers. She is afraid Mediation where you don’t have to go to court, and a rela- she will be sent to jail because she was convicted of assault tive can attend to explain that you are a good mother. five years ago, and she has forgotten what happens at a first appearance hearing, which is scheduled for tomorrow. Solutions: • You can go to www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca and click on the Solutions: button “Online Self Help Kits,” then pick the kit “What • You can go to www.lawlink.bc.ca then click on the topic do I need to know about child protection in BC?” Scroll “Crime,” then click on the sub-topic “Adults Charged down to the section titled “If the ministry receives a With a Crime,” then scroll down to the brochure “If You report about your child.” This section will discuss the Are Charged With A Crime.” This brochure explains rights of parents, how to get help, tips on how to work what happens at a first appearance hearing, and suggests effectively with the ministry, and a flow chart showing the some resources for further information and legal advice. steps involved in child protection matters. You can download this brochure and print it for Jenny. • You can go to www.lawlink.bc.ca and click on the • You can go to www.lss.bc.ca, then click on the button “Family” topic, then click on the “Child “Legal Aid,” then choose “Legal Representation,” which Protection/Removal” sub-topic, then scroll down to the will give you a page with links for financial eligibility as website page “Child Protection Mediation Program.” well as information on help with criminal charges. Again, This page has a link to a brochure for parents that you you can print this page for Jenny to take with her, as well can print off and give to Jenny. as the page that lists LSS offices for intake applications.

UPDATES ON SERVICES FROM LEGAL SERVICES SOCIETY BY LSS STAFF

Legal Aid for Family Services Relaxed cannot represent themselves because of a mental disability LSS has relaxed restrictions that until now limited most legal and the matter must be resolved to avoid further harm. representation services in family law to matters involving vio- See the press release and backgrounder at http://www.lss.bc. lence or the potential removal of children from the province. ca/Newsroom/news_releases.htm Effective June 15, the society will provide representation to financially eligible people for several issues that previously New Format for Interjurisdictional required approval from the Vancouver Regional Centre Support Orders Help under the society’s exception review process. The provincial government has just launched a new website The issues involve kidnapping of the client’s child by the to help people with ISO applications. The website is intend- person who has access but not custody; maintenance enforce- ed to simplify the process by automatically generating the ment committal proceedings where the respondent faces forms needed as the user answers questions on the website. If imprisonment; and serious denial of access to children. In users do not have access to a printer, they can order the forms addition, the society will provide representation when clients they complete on-line.

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The website is: or mail it into our distribution office. You can also contact An additional tip: if an FDC client complains to you LSS Distribution by email at [email protected]. that they made an ISO application and never received any response, refer the client to your local family justice Child Support Guidelines counsellor’s office. The FJC can request that the Effective June 1, 2006 B.C. Regulation 129/2006 (OIC government’s Maintenance Enforcement and Locate 346/2006) brings sections 1 to 4 of the Attorney General Service track down the application and moving the matter Statutes Amendment Act, 2005, S.B.C. 2005, c. 1 into force. These sections establish the new Child Publications Support Service. Legal Services Society has recently reprinted their long- B.C. Regulation 129/2006 also amends section 1 of the Child standing publications “When I’m 64” and “Your Welfare Support Guidelines Regulation (B.C. Reg. 61/98) and enacts Rights.” If you want to order these and other publications the Child Support Recalculation Pilot Project Regulation. you can find the order form on the LSS website at The Kelowna Provincial (Family) Court Registry has been http://www.lss.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Pubs_Order_Form_ designated as the prescribed registry for the pilot project. March_061323.pdf . You can print this order form and fax

Events

Take Back the Highway, September 16 Take Back the Highway is a series of marches and events in communities along Highway 16, the “Highway of Tears.” The activities raise awareness and commemorate the women who are missing or murdered in the area. The contact information we have is for Nechako Stuart: (at corner of Hwy 16 and 27): Brandi Hanterman, Fireweed Women’s Collective, 250-996- 8180, [email protected], and Prince George: Sarah Boyd-Noel, [email protected]. Contact them to get involved or to find out what’s happening in your community.

Amnesty International Dinner and Talk, Vancouver, September 16 Part of Amnesty’s three-year worldwide campaign to raise awareness of violence against women throughout the world. Speakers: Manijeh Ghaffari of WAVAW and Janneke Lewis, lawyer and international authority on the trafficking of women and children throughout the world. Contact Margaret, 604-929-2893 or [email protected]. Unitarian Church, 949 West 49th Ave, 5:30-8:30. 7th World Indigenous Women & Wellness Conference: Warriors Against Violence, September 25-27, 2006, The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver This conference will address the growing patterns of violence within indigenous families and communities. Particular emphasis will be on hearing the voice of our Youth, and embracing our Elders to promote healthier and positive futures for our communities. Contact Joanne Nam at 604-822-7524 or [email protected] or visit http://www.interchange.ubc.ca

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Integration Into Life: Vicarious Trauma and Beyond, September 28 & 29, 2006, Stanley Park Pavilion, Vancouver A workshop with Maggie Ziegler, presented by Battered Women’s Support Services: an exploration of how support and counselling work with survivors of oppression and abuse impacts the helper. Contact BWSS at 604-687-1868.

Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 1-7, across Canada This public education week was established in 1992 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada. For more info, go to www.miaw.ca.

Violence Against Women: Diversifying Social Responses, October 22- 24, 2006, Montreal This interdisciplinary, international conference will provide a forum for discussion, knowledge sharing and criticism, making it possible to develop a more refined analysis of violence against women and to explore diverse social responses that have been developed to combat it. Contact Dominique Damant at (418) 656-3286 or [email protected], or visit www.criviff.qc.ca/colloque/appel_ang.asp.

4th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Spirituality and Health: Interweaving Science, Wisdom, and Compassion, November 9-12, 2006, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver This international conference will address how spirituality relates to health and the health sciences. Presentations by and for scholars, scientists, and practitioners from multiple disciplines, as well as facilitated discussion groups, experiential workshops and informal events. Offered by the Vancouver Research Network for Spirituality and Healing and UBC Interprofessional Continuing Education. Call (604) 822-0054 or email: [email protected].

Remembering Our Rights 2006—Bountiful and Beyond, Creston, November 10-12 The BCTF Social Justice Conference to commemorate the struggle for women’s rights in Canada. The planning committee is working to plan a conference that will include teachers and local community activists for as low a price as possible. For more information, contact Karen Kilbride at [email protected].

WorldForum 2006, November 19-22, 2006, Vancouver Presented by: MCFD, International Forum for Child Welfare and Child Welfare League of Canada. This international conference will explore & share knowledge, information & data on promising practices and innovative approaches to prevention and response to child abuse and neglect. Email [email protected] or go to www.worldforum2006.ca.

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Resources

Print Materials Rural Women’s Justice Guide By METRAC and the Ontario Women’s Justice Network. Posted online 2006, first published 2004. Based on input from an advisory committee of rural women. The authors of the guide say: “In our work with women dealing with violence, we have found that the laws and the manner in which they are applied/enforced do not recognize the reality of or meet the needs of women living in rural or remote communities in Ontario.” Available at www.owjn.org/info/rural1.htm or call 1-877-558-5570.

Neighbours, Friends and Families This is an Ontario project that supports communities to respond to violence in relationships. Check out their website for interesting materials, including tips for talking to abusive men: www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.on.ca.

Lillian To: A Life of Devotion S.U.C.C.E.S.S., an agency in Vancouver that works with Chinese Canadians, has published a book of articles about their former director, Lillian To. The book is $25, bilingual Chinese and English. For more information, go to www.success.bc.ca/eng/service/publicatn/ or call 604-684-1628.

Toolkit To Help Agencies Reach Ethnocultural Seniors This toolkit contains links to lots of information, including anti-racism and disability rights materials, that will be useful to any agency trying to be more accessible. Produced by the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria. Go to www.icavictoria.org/seniors.htm or call 250- 388-4728.

Collaboration Assessment This website was created for projects that link mental health and criminal justice systems. It allows partnerships to use an online tool to assess their collaboration. We haven’t had a chance to try out the assessment tool, but it looks pretty interesting. Go to http://consensusproject.org/assessment.

Point Last Seen We received an email about a new book by a survivor of abuse as a child and adult: Point Last Seen, by Ricky Hunter. A portion of sales goes to anti-violence organizations in Australia. See her website at www.geocities.com/pointlastseen.

WISE: Well-Being Through Inclusion, Social and Economic This is an organization that raises awareness about women, poverty and health. They are BC-based, grassroots and led by poor women. Reach them in Duncan at 250-748-8O93 or [email protected]. Website: www.wise-bc.org/.

Services Inform’Elles Inform’Elles provides information, counselling, referrals and emotional support to all French-speaking women living in BC. Support groups start in Greater Vancouver in September. Meetings aimed at exchanging ideas and practical tools, sharing vision, experience and wisdom. Call 604-736-6974 or email [email protected].

Lesbian/Bisexual Women Ten-week Support Group at Battered Women’s Support Services The group begins this fall. Contact BWSS at 604-687-1867 for more information.

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NEWSLETTER OF THE BCASVACP / FALL 2006 Featured Resource

CCWS DISCUSSION PAPER: VICTIM SERVICES REFERRALS (excerpt) 1. Background: Over and over again, research has shown that spousal violence and sexual violence are the most under-reported crimes in our society. The unique nature of power-based crimes such as spousal assault and sexual assault makes it very difficult for survivors to come forward to the justice system. Shame, fear of reprisal, fear of being stigmatized, are all obstacles to seeking help. Community-Based Victim Services were developed because of the specialized needs of victims of power-based crimes such as violence in relationship, sexual assault and sexual abuse. Workers within these programs have specialized training in the dynamic of spousal abuse and in safety assessment and safety planning. Community-Based Victim Service Programs are based in community agencies that are distanced from police detachments. They are also mandated to work with survivors who may not have reported to police. This gives these programs a unique opportunity to encourage and support reporting to police, as well as to assess safety needs and assist with safety planning. In the past there have been several tragedies that have highlighted the need for a specialized response to victims of power- based crimes, spousal assault and criminal harassment in particular. 2. Coroner’s Recommendations Concerning Referrals: The Josiah Woods Report, Vernon, B.C. 1996 During the early 1990s Rajwar Gakhal and Sharon Velisek were attacked by their estranged husbands despite repeatedly reporting their partner’s violent behaviour to police. Woods came to the following conclusions: “…community based transition houses, women’s crisis centers and other specialized community based agencies are designed exclusively to serve the needs of women who are victims of relationship violence and are generally staffed by counsellors who have the training and experience necessary to meet those unique needs. For that reason, a referral to CBVS [community based victim services], rather than to PBVS, is more likely to provide a woman with the real support and encouragement she needs if she is to cooperate fully, both with the investigation her complaint will provoke and with the subsequent prosecution if charges are laid.” (p. 37) “In many cases, victims who complain to the police about incidents of relationship violence will require emotional support and counselling in order to deal effectively with the violence, in terms of fully understanding both the cycle of violence and the necessity of actively taking steps to ensure that cycle is broken. Although that support is essential for all victims of relationship violence, the need for specialized support and counselling is even more acute for a victim who, having complained to police about violence in her relationship, is nonetheless unable to support a resolution of the violence through the criminal justice system.” (p. 34) “…I am of the view that whenever and wherever possible, the officer who receives and/or investigates a relationship violence complaint should refer the complainant to the appropriate community based victim services agency. This is particularly so if the woman is reluctant to cooperate with the investigation.” (p. 34) 3. Policy Statements: a) RCMP Policy: “Where they exist, specialized community based victim services should normally be the primary service provider in VIR/VAWIR cases.” L.11.d.1.RCMP VIR-VAWIR (2002) b) The B.C. Police Release Guidelines on a Promise to Appear with an Undertaking adopted by the B.C. Chiefs of Police in 2004:

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“Police officers can significantly reduce the number of calls for assistance from victims by promptly referring them to victim services agencies. Police officers are encouraged to make these referrals to community-based victim services, or if none exist in that community, to the police based victim services program.” The B.C. Violence Against Women In Relationships Policy (2000) Police Section: “The police officer will inform the victim of any community-based specialized victim services (including woman assault centres) and will refer her case with her permission.” 4. Contractual Obligations: Schedule “A” of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Contract to provide victim services states that: Section (g) “Referral Between Victim Service Programs. In communities with both community-based and police-based victim service programs: “Police-based program managers/coordinators will ensure that victims identified as: victims of violence in relationships (adult, youth or child), victims of sexual assault, victims of criminal harassment, victims of child abuse/assault (both physical and sexual), adult survivors of childhood abuse (both physical and sexual), and child witnesses are referred to the appropriate community-based victim service program. “Community-Based program managers/coordinators will ensure that victims that are identified other than victims of violence in relationships (adult, youth or child), victims of sexual assault, victims of criminal harassment, victims of child abuse/assault (both physical and sexual), adult survivors of childhood abuse (both physical and sexual), and child witnesses are referred to the police-based victim service program. “All program managers/coordinators, when assessing an appropriate referral will take into consideration: the individual circumstances of the victim such age, gender, ability, and cultural needs; the necessity of the timeliness of an effective referral; and local protocol referral procedures. “In exceptional cases, where a manager/coordinator determines that the procedure outlined in (g) (i) or (ii) is not appropriate, the rationale must be documented in the file.” 5. Recommendations: There are several examples of communities where referral processes work consistently and positive relationships have been developed. In reviewing PBVS policies in those communities we see the process of referrals being critical to effectiveness. A sample script from two BC PBVS programs follows: “I am going to refer you to our specialized victim services program so that you will receive the best possible service. I will provide the program with your name, phone number and brief details of your case. Do you have any objection to this?” We recommend: That in cases identified as violence in relationships, or sexual abuse/assault police officers are encouraged to refer directly to the local Community-Based Victim Services Program. Where police are referring directly the Police-Based Victim Service Program and, where a Community-Based Victim Service Program exists, Police-Based Victim Service programs be encouraged to review their referral policies and ensure that all victims of violence in relationships (adult, youth or child), victims of sexual assault, victims of criminal harassment, victims of child abuse/assault (both physical and sexual), adult survivors of childhood abuse (both physical and sexual), and child witnesses are referred to the appropriate community-based victim service program. Where a Community-Based Victim Service Program exists, Police-Based Victim Service Workers not engage with, or establish a relationship with clients that are not within their mandate, but refer directly to the appropriate specialized program. That referrals be made in a proactive and effective manner, such as using the script outlined above.

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BCASVACP BOARD MEMBERS

REGION 1 – REGION 5 – REGION 9 – NORTH VANCOUVER ISLAND INTERIOR NORTH WEST Jennifer Woods, Vacant Comox Valley Family Services Assoc., Sandra Beggs Courtenay REGION 6 – Queen Charlotte Islands Women’s Society Ph: (250) 338–7575 local 226 OKANAGAN Masset Email: [email protected] Debby Hamilton Ph: (250) 559-8843 Vernon Women’s Transition House Society Email: [email protected] REGION 2 – P.O.Box 625, Vernon, BC V1T 6M6 SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND Ph: (250) 542–1122 REGION 10 – Cathy Welch, Co-Chair Email: [email protected] NORTH CENTRAL Cowichan Women Against Violence Lynnell Halikowski Duncan REGION 7 – (on leave) Ph: (250) 748–7000 x 223 EAST KOOTENAYS Prince George Sexual Assault Centre Email: [email protected] Ruth Sauer, Co–Chair Prince George Summit Community Services Society Ph: (250) 564-8302 REGION 3 – Cranbrook Fax: (250) 564-8303 LOWER MAINLAND Ph: (250) 489–3114 ext 228 Email: [email protected] Brigit Atkinson Email: [email protected] Family Services of Greater Vancouver REGION 11 – New Westminster REGION 8 – NORTH EAST Ph: (604) 525-9144 ext. 25 WEST KOOTENAYS Nancy Taylor Email: [email protected] Marsha Early Robson Valley Home Support Society The Advocacy Centre McBride and Valemont REGION 4 – Nelson Ph: (250) 569-2266 (McBride) FRASER VALLEY Ph: (250) 352-5777 (250) 566-9107 (Valemount) Sonya E. Boyce Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Surrey Women’s Centre Society Surrey Ph: (604) 589-1868 local 223 Email: [email protected]

BCASVACP STAFF

Tracy Porteous Susan Armstrong Sarah Leavitt (Contact for CBVAP Programs) (Contact for STV Programs) Communications Coordinator Executive Director Program Manager and for BCASVACP and CCWS [email protected] Safe Choices Coordinator [email protected] Habiba Rashid [email protected] TBA Office Manager Harjit Kaur CCWS Administrative Coordinator [email protected] (Contact for CBVAP Programs) Special Projects Manager [email protected] [email protected]

CONTRACTORS FOR THE COMMUNITY COORDINATION FOR WOMEN’S SAFETY PROGRAM

Gail Edinger Michelle Novakowski Gisela Ruebsaat Regional Coordinator Regional Coordinator Issues Analyst 100 Mile House Nanaimo Victoria 250-397-2389 [email protected] 250-751-2881 [email protected] 250-592-3073 [email protected]

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Mission Statement The BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs works to coordinate and support the work of victim serving and other anti-violence programs in BC through the provision of issue based consultation and analysis of resource development, training, research and education. Our work is guided by respect for dif- ference, human dignity and equality.

Membership We work to address the needs of Specialized Victim Assistance Programs, Sexual Assault, Stopping the Violence Counselling Programs and other similar programs. The BCASVACP provides support, training, education, policy and legislative analysis, resource development, and information exchange forums to its member programs. Your membership will support the BCASVACP in continuing many important services, including the development of analysis, representation on various government committees, administration tools development, and training. A membership will ensure that your organization has access to the most current information available. Your BCASVACP membership acts also as a voice of community support for our continued working on behalf of your programs. We always welcome your input and questions. For more information about what BCASVACP membership is all about, contact 604-633-2506, extension 10, or email [email protected].

BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance & Counselling Programs

❑ Our program wants to be a BCASVACP ❑ I do not qualify for program membership. member. Membership fees are on a sliding I would still like to receive the BCASVACP scale between $60 to $160. (Whatever your tri-annual newsletters ($25) program can afford) Name: Organization: Mailing Address: Postal Code: Website: E-mail: Total Amount Enclosed: $ Please make cheques payable to the BC Assn. of Specialized Victim Assistance & Counselling Programs and forward to #728 – 602 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1P2 Charitable # 13926 5821 RR0001

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