Violence Against Women
By Wally Oppal, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Britush Columbia, Canada
The recent deaths of two Indo-Canadian women, and serious injury to a third, are a reminder to all of us of the need to remain vigilant in ensuring that women are protected from violence. Unfortunately, these incidents have been taking place for a very long time. They have their origins in outdated concepts about the treatment of women.
These women were spouses, mothers, family members and contributors to our communities. Their deaths are a tragic loss to our society and to the Indo-Canadian community. They tell us that we need to continue to break down the barriers that isolate women and that prevent them from seeking help when they are in an abusive relationship.
Our personal connections to our own culture are integral to being Indo-Canadian. While violence against women is a systemic issue in mainstream Canadian society, in some Indo-Canadian communities, attitudes that place women at risk are endemic. Some dowry practices and the celebration of the birth of boys send a message to women, and to some Indo-Canadian men, that women are not considered equal by some members of our community.
A contributing factor is the desire to save face, to resolve issues within the household, rather than looking to community resources or the Gurdwara temple for assistance. Because abusers frequently isolate their victims from their families and friends - deliberately creating a climate where the woman feels helpless and where the abuser is able to exert an exaggerated sense of power and authority - this approach can worsen the woman's plight.
In contemporary society, women enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as men, including the right to be free of intimidation and to be protected from emotional, financial and physical harms. In Canada, every individual is equal before and under the law and has a right to the equal protection and benefit of the law, without discrimination based on their sex. These rights are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in the Canadian constitution and in the law.
As an immigrant or as a Canadian citizen, women have the right to expect that their environment will be safe and that, if they are threatened by potential violence, that legal protections are available to them. Sadly, some Indo-Canadian women are afraid to speak up when they are subjected to physical or emotional threats, whether for fear of retaliation or because of longstanding cultural traditions.
Governments have a pivotal role in ensuring women who are experiencing violence, or the threat of violence, have alternatives where they can seek counselling and assistance. Settlement and immigration agencies, and agencies that deal with multicultural issues, including violence towards women, can assist by referring women to local resources.
Through the province, women also have access to Stopping the Violence counselling programs in most British Columbia communities. These counselling services assist women who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence or childhood abuse.
Children living in a home environment where a parent is being abused also have access to individual and group counselling, designed to help break the intergenerational cycle of violence. The Children Who Witness Abuse Program provides support to both the parent who is being abused and the children, who are frequently silent witnesses to abuse.
Transition houses and safe homes provide temporary safe, secure housing for women and their children leaving abusive relationships. Second-stage housing is available for women who have left abusive relationships and are making long-term plans to live on their own.
Victims of violence and abuse, living anywhere in B.C., can call VictimLINK toll free at: 1 800 563-0808 for referral to the most appropriate program and support. VictimLINK provides services in 130 languages.
The Indo-Canadian community also has an obligation to ensure safe havens are available to women. Forums where we can discuss the issue of violence are the first step towards acknowledging ownership of this difficult and enduring problem.
As Indo-Canadians, we need to reinforce that violence towards women is a criminal act, punishable by the justice system, and is unacceptable in any culture. We need to do our part to ensure that women are safe and that they know where to find assistance if they do experience violence.
Source: Sikh Philosophy Network
Community Reaction
H/T: Point de Bascule
Approach to honorcide by the Sikh community in British Columbia proves that openly discussing cultural/religious roots of violence against women benefits the community. Sikh leader had the courage to shine the light on cultural/religious roots of the problem and community response was overwhelmingly positive. Why can't our leaders admit that violence against women is rooted in Islamic traditions? Before we can get rid of these medieval relics, we must expose them. Sweeping the problem under the rug would lead to more honorcides as we've seen in Toronto, Texas, and Buffalo.
By Wally Oppal, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Britush Columbia, Canada
The recent deaths of two Indo-Canadian women, and serious injury to a third, are a reminder to all of us of the need to remain vigilant in ensuring that women are protected from violence. Unfortunately, these incidents have been taking place for a very long time. They have their origins in outdated concepts about the treatment of women.
These women were spouses, mothers, family members and contributors to our communities. Their deaths are a tragic loss to our society and to the Indo-Canadian community. They tell us that we need to continue to break down the barriers that isolate women and that prevent them from seeking help when they are in an abusive relationship.
Our personal connections to our own culture are integral to being Indo-Canadian. While violence against women is a systemic issue in mainstream Canadian society, in some Indo-Canadian communities, attitudes that place women at risk are endemic. Some dowry practices and the celebration of the birth of boys send a message to women, and to some Indo-Canadian men, that women are not considered equal by some members of our community.
A contributing factor is the desire to save face, to resolve issues within the household, rather than looking to community resources or the Gurdwara temple for assistance. Because abusers frequently isolate their victims from their families and friends - deliberately creating a climate where the woman feels helpless and where the abuser is able to exert an exaggerated sense of power and authority - this approach can worsen the woman's plight.
In contemporary society, women enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as men, including the right to be free of intimidation and to be protected from emotional, financial and physical harms. In Canada, every individual is equal before and under the law and has a right to the equal protection and benefit of the law, without discrimination based on their sex. These rights are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in the Canadian constitution and in the law.
As an immigrant or as a Canadian citizen, women have the right to expect that their environment will be safe and that, if they are threatened by potential violence, that legal protections are available to them. Sadly, some Indo-Canadian women are afraid to speak up when they are subjected to physical or emotional threats, whether for fear of retaliation or because of longstanding cultural traditions.
Governments have a pivotal role in ensuring women who are experiencing violence, or the threat of violence, have alternatives where they can seek counselling and assistance. Settlement and immigration agencies, and agencies that deal with multicultural issues, including violence towards women, can assist by referring women to local resources.
Through the province, women also have access to Stopping the Violence counselling programs in most British Columbia communities. These counselling services assist women who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence or childhood abuse.
Children living in a home environment where a parent is being abused also have access to individual and group counselling, designed to help break the intergenerational cycle of violence. The Children Who Witness Abuse Program provides support to both the parent who is being abused and the children, who are frequently silent witnesses to abuse.
Transition houses and safe homes provide temporary safe, secure housing for women and their children leaving abusive relationships. Second-stage housing is available for women who have left abusive relationships and are making long-term plans to live on their own.
Victims of violence and abuse, living anywhere in B.C., can call VictimLINK toll free at: 1 800 563-0808 for referral to the most appropriate program and support. VictimLINK provides services in 130 languages.
The Indo-Canadian community also has an obligation to ensure safe havens are available to women. Forums where we can discuss the issue of violence are the first step towards acknowledging ownership of this difficult and enduring problem.
As Indo-Canadians, we need to reinforce that violence towards women is a criminal act, punishable by the justice system, and is unacceptable in any culture. We need to do our part to ensure that women are safe and that they know where to find assistance if they do experience violence.
Source: Sikh Philosophy Network
Community Reaction
H/T: Point de Bascule
Approach to honorcide by the Sikh community in British Columbia proves that openly discussing cultural/religious roots of violence against women benefits the community. Sikh leader had the courage to shine the light on cultural/religious roots of the problem and community response was overwhelmingly positive. Why can't our leaders admit that violence against women is rooted in Islamic traditions? Before we can get rid of these medieval relics, we must expose them. Sweeping the problem under the rug would lead to more honorcides as we've seen in Toronto, Texas, and Buffalo.
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