POLICE CHARGING POLICIES & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Native ...

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j) The Community Must Take ResponsibilityNative Justice ResponseCommunity initiatives in the field of family violence are a fairly recent phenomenon withfederal and provincial funding available only over the past few years. It may take timefor other communities to reach the stage where aboriginal women feel they can havecharges laid without retaliation. In some instances, aboriginal women are changing. It isbeing reported that more abused aboriginal women in certain areas are becoming lessreluctant to call police and are following through with charges in abusive situations. Onerespondent noted:"There is a lot of under reporting especially in the municipal jurisdictions. At thesame time, there is a much higher rate of peace bonds being sought by nativewomen than by other women in the neighbouring 'white' areas this suggestsnative women do lay charges even if most are subsequently withdrawn even atthe peace bond level. And of course there is a much higher rate of convictions asre personal violence, chiefly assault, something which again suggests thatcharges are being laid." 11This may be the result of being more informed about the criminal aspect of domesticviolence, as well as women encouraging other women to report this crime. Increases inreporting violent crimes against women will occur when women see the perpetratorprosecuted.Within the community, there is a need for a change in the collective attitude towardviolence against women. Once this change takes place, aboriginal women can morefreely take control of their lives and work with police to lay charges in abusive situations."Women will find the strength to come forward if they feel that the attitude in thecommunity supports them."Nurses, doctors, clergy, business people, government workers, teachers, and othersliving near or in aboriginal communities generally can take responsibility to call thepolice in domestic violence situations. One study noted:"At the hospital, we could start calling the police automatically. We could alsostart documenting the scope of the problem. Maybe we could broadcast thescope of the problem on the FM [radio] so the community is aware of how often itis happening here.” 12Abused aboriginal women need to recognize that they have alternatives. Where femaleaboriginal police officers can provide assistance to abused women, there is likely to bean increase in the laying of charges and seeing the legal process through. As was notedin the Kuujjuaq study:11Don Clairmont, Sociology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.12Kuujuuaq at 45.Pg. 24
"I think it is time to start doing things about family violence in the community now.People are starting to talk about it. Women are starting to charge their husbandsor boyfriends. It is something that has started to come out. A few years ago theproblem did not come out. People are more open about it now than they werebefore." 13When abused women see that there is community support to end domestic violence,they may be less afraid to lay charges. 1413Ibid. at 43.14Ibid. at 48. Contributors to this chapter include: Chief Coroner, GNWT; St. Mary’s Band Administration; Council ofYukon Indians; Hey-Way’noqu’ Healing Circle for Addictions Society, Vancouver, B.C.; Kuujjuaq Study; Ma Mawi Wi ChiItata Centre Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba; RCMP Yellowknife, N.W.T.; Siksika Nation Police Force, Gleichen, Alberta;Akwesane Police; Judge Coutu, Quebec; RCMP Charlottetown, P.E.I.; Native Women’s Transition Centre Inc., Winnipeg,Manitoba; RCMP Ottawa; Gitksan-Wet’suwet’en Education Society, Hazelton, B.C.; Department of Sociology, University ofSaskatchewan, Saskatchewan; Nemaska Band Council; Ontario Ministry of Solicitor General; Manitoba Justice; Governmentof Northwest Territories [Pepper]; Ontario Native Women’s Association; Arctic PLEI; Victim/Witness Assistance Program,Burns Lake, B.C.; RCMP Winnipeg; Six Nations Police, Ohsweken, Ontario; RCMP Milltown, Newfoundland; RCMPHappy Valley; RCMP Campbell River; New Brunswick Justice; RCMP Chilliwack, B.C.; Solicitor General Canada;Brandon City Police; RCMP Winnipeg; Dakoto-Ojibway Tribal Council Police, Brandon, Manitoba; RCMP Regina;Ministry of Community and Social Services, Windsor, Ontario; Department of Justice Canada, Yellowknife, N.W.T.;Mediation Services, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Legal Aid Manitoba; Don Clairmont, Sociology, Dalhousie University, Halifax,N.S.Pg. 25
Page 1 and 2: Native Women’s Association of Can
Page 3 and 4: 9. Chapter 4 - What Alternatives ar
Page 5 and 6: 2. IntroductionThe results of this
Page 7 and 8: Recommendation 7The charging polici
Page 9 and 10: Recommendation 20It is recommended
Page 11 and 12: 6. Chapter 1 - Mandatory Charging P
Page 13 and 14: British Columbia, one respondent no
Page 15 and 16: Discrepancies concerning the applic
Page 18 and 19: c) Problems with Third Party Interv
Page 20 and 21: ) Mistrust of the Justice SystemNat
Page 22 and 23: g) Problem with the Failure to Foll
Page 26 and 27: 9. Chapter 4 - What Alternatives Ar
Page 28 and 29: The Northwest Territories' responde
Page 30 and 31: Men with violent tendencies must de
Page 32 and 33: Geographical barriers prevent abori
Page 34 and 35: noted that it was only in the last
Page 36 and 37: 11. Chapter 6 - Discerning the Role
Page 38 and 39: causes." Tribal police are credited
Page 40 and 41: c) Need to Provide and Support Alte
Page 42 and 43: f) Need for Self-Policing for First

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