For Immediate Release
MEDIA ADVISORY

International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women

Sponsored by:
Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)

November 25, 6: p.m.

Bombay Banquet Hall
7475 – 135 Street, Surrey, B.C.

Battered Women’s Support Services invites all to a special event to honor the stories, experiences and the unheard voices of families. Join us in meaningful discussions to further the work of eradication of violence against women with a Café Discussion facilitated by men and women.

Master of Ceremonies:  Penny Priddy

Featured Speaker: Kamal Dhillon, survivor and author of Black and Blue Sari

Tickets: $40 per person – Buffet dinner – No one will be turned away

For more information: 604-687-1613 or strategicinterventions@bwss.org

This is your opportunity to effect change!!

Call or write you MLA to demand a public inquiry into the deaths and disappearances of women from the downtown eastside.

Attorney General Mike DeJong

mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca

gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca

premiere@gov.bc.ca

To find the MLA for your area please follow the link below

www.legbc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm

The more voices the more likely it will happen!!!

NEWS RELEASE
July 30, 2010

Will Justice Be Denied to the Families of the Murdered Women of the Downtown Eastside?
(Vancouver, BC July 30, 2010) This morning the Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously that Robert Pickton’s six convictions for second-degree murder are affirmed and dismissed Pickton’s appeal for a retrial.  Public statements by the B.C. Crown’s office indicate, the Crown will likely stay the remaining 20 outstanding murder charges against Pickton.

In March 2009, a coalition of aboriginal leaders, community groups and family members sent a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell, the Attorney General of B.C., the Solicitor General of B.C. demanding an immediate public inquiry into the missing and murdered women of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver and the Highway of Tears, Highway 16, in northern B.C., immediate support for families and commencement of the trial for the additional 20 murdered victims of Robert Pickton.

“The Union of BC Indian Chiefs calls on the B.C. Crown to proceed with the remaining 20 outstanding murder charges and not deny the justice and closure for the families whose loved ones were stolen from their lives,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.  “They are not 20 outstanding charges; they were beloved mothers, treasured daughters, dear sisters and much-loved aunties to their families.  How can they be so readily dismissed because of a decision that reeks of saving dollars and cents?”

In addition, the March 2009 letter stated that the B.C. Government should not wait for Pickton to exhaust his appeals and called for an inquiry into the policing and government failings surrounding the murdered and missing women.  The B.C. Government publicly stated that the government would respect the judicial process before announcing its decision on a public inquiry. 

“Now that the Supreme Court of Canada has rendered its decision, the UBCIC feels it is vitally important that a public inquiry into the government, police and Crown actions, or inaction, immediately take place.  In fact, both the Vancouver Police Department and the RCMP have voiced their support for a public inquiry.  What families are seeking is honesty, accountability, change and reconciliation to honour their loved ones in the hopes that this horrific tragedy never be repeated”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, (604) 684-0231

Family law reforms weaken women’s access to justice
Government ignores anti-violence sector’s concerns

NEWS RELEASE July 22, 2010

Vancouver – Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) today announces its strong opposition to Attorney General Mike de Jong’s proposed reform of the province’s Family Relations Act, the law that governs the division of family property, custody of and access to children, and support.

“We’ve written to the Attorney General telling him we reject a disputes resolution approach to family law, a point we clearly made in earlier consultations on these issues,” says Angela Marie MacDougall, BWSS Executive Director.

“While many couples facing separation and divorce can agree on issues like support and child custody, a disputes resolution system will not help women dealing with former partners who are inflexible or punishing.”

Dispute settlement processes do not offer a level playing field for women. They can create unsafe environments and this is particularly true where there is a history of relationship violence. Power differences between men and women do work to disadvantage women in negotiations with the men. This inequality is only exacerbated when violent former partners get to step outside the courtroom.

MacDougall is questioning whether the government will actually pay the costs of, in their words, ‘modernizing’ the family law system.

“Modernizing costs. Just for starters, we’re looking at hiring hundreds of specialized workers, all of whom will need to be trained and situated somewhere. Meanwhile, the government is cutting spending. It already grossly underfunds legal aid and constantly tells the community groups vital to support this kind of reform that there is no money.”

BWSS insists the Attorney General must extend the consultation timeframe on its complex proposals beyond October 8th and has also urged him to provide funding to women’s anti-violence sector so they can participate equally in the process.

“Mr. de Jong knows it takes time and money to develop policy, says MacDougall.

“We’ve told him the women’s anti-violence sector – a critical player on these issues – will be marginalized participants without funding support from his government.”

British Columbia All Chiefs’ Task Force Appeals to Steven Harper for Public Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Women in Canada

Coast Salish Territory, February 10, 2010— The All Chiefs’ Task Force challenges Steven Harper to call for a public inquiry into murdered and missing women in Canada before touting lofty global initiatives to make international women’s issues a priority.

“Leadership starts at home,” says Chief Lisa Shaver, “If the Prime Minister wants to lecture the world about maternal and child health he should start by looking in his own backyard. Indigenous women continue to suffer violence, indignity and discrimination in Canada based on their gender and economic status.  Indigenous women are five times more likely than other women in Canada to be at risk of violence and exploitation.”

The B.C. All Chiefs’ Task Force is calling on the Harper government to develop a specific and integrated plan for addressing the particular conditions affecting Aboriginal women, including poverty, poor heath, inadequate housing, low incomes and high rates of violence.

Media Advisory

What: BC All Chiefs’ Press Conference

When: Thursday February 11th at 11:00am

Where: On the steps of The British Columbia Legislature, 501 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC

Contact: Chief Lisa Shaver, (250) 246-2321

“Long-standing patterns of marginalization, impoverishment and discrimination are critical factors putting Indigenous women in Canada at risk of violence and exploitation. Efforts must continue to bring justice and restore the dignity and respect for First Nations women to ensure the safety of our grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, teachers, and leaders. First Nations women must not be forgotten,” says Kathryn Teneese, Chair of the Ktunaxa Nation Council.

Over 3000 women are believed to have gone missing or been murdered in Canada since the 1970s, yet only 520 are officially recognized. Last year, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women issued this statement: “Hundreds of cases involving Aboriginal women who have gone missing or been murdered in the past two decades have neither been fully investigated nor attracted priority attention.”

Despite continued requests to the Federal government to investigate the cases of murdered and missing women in Canada, there has been no response from the Conservative government.  Provincial governments have taken it upon themselves to launch their own investigations.  Manitoba recently formed a murdered and missing women task force in August of 2009, and BC formed a Missing Women Investigative Task Force which is currently ongoing.

“A public inquiry would not only provide closure and answers to the family members still living with the loss of their loved ones, but would also help identify the exact number of women that have gone missing across the country,” says Chief Wayne Christian, spokesperson for the B.C. All Chiefs’ Task Force. “An inquiry will help in developing a comprehensive action plan to protect First Nations’ women from violence and discrimination.”

About the British Columbia All Chiefs’ Task Force

In August 2009, a First Nations Task Force composed of volunteer First Nation leaders from across the province, was established by First Nations to raise awareness and recognition of Aboriginal title and rights at the provincial, national and international levels, as well as with the general public. Find additional information and news about the All Chiefs’ Task Force at:  http://firstnationstaskforce.wordpress.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Chief Lisa Shaver,

Women’s Council Representative for the BC AFN.

Chief of the Penelakut First Nation

Telephone: (250) 246-2321

Ms. Kathryn Teneese,
Chair, Ktunaxa Nation Council
Telephone:  (250) 489-8696

Beverley Clifton Percival
Chair, BC All Chiefs’ Task Force
Negotiator, Gitxsan Hereditary Chief
Telephone: (250) 842-6780 local 370

Mr. Cliff Atleo,
President, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Telephone: (250) 720-5336

Chief Wayne Christian
Chair, BC All Chiefs’ Coordinated Action Working Group
Spokesperson Shuswap Nation Tribal Council
Telephone: (250) 503-7072

Mr. Robert Morales
Chief Negotiator, Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group
Telephone: (250) 710‐2241