POLICE CHARGING POLICIES & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Native ...

Recommendation 20It is recommended that there be more dialogue between law enforcers and victims ofdomestic violence to ensure consistency in enforcing criminal assault violations againstwomen, children and elders.Recommendation 21It is recommended that mandatory charging policies be developed in every jurisdictionwith direct consultation with aboriginal women' s organizations. It is recommended thatthe charging policies accommodated the use of aboriginal women's circles at thecommunity level to deal with offenders who commit violent acts within the aboriginalcommunity.Recommendation 22It is recommended that aboriginal women participate with federal, provincial andterritorial agencies in forming mandatory charging policies and setting up alternativeresource centres. There is a need to establish elders' services, women's sentencingcircles, healing lodges, counselling services, sex offender programs and men's supportgroups in all aboriginal communities.Recommendation 23It is recommended that hotlines, radio and cellular phones be made available toaboriginal women and victims of violence in isolated, northern aboriginal communities.Recommendation 24It is recommended that police services be made available to aboriginal women andvictims of violence in isolated, northern aboriginal communities and thatcommunications services to outside police forces be increased including 1-800 numbersand other emergency communications services.Recommendation 25It is recommended that holding cells and temporary shelters be made available in allaboriginal communities where crimes of violence are a regular occurrence and wherenumbers warrant.Recommendation 26It is recommended that healing centres be established in all aboriginal communities with apopulation of 150-plus where crimes of violence are a regular occurrence, and that fundsbe made available for the training of sex offender counsellors and traditional healers.Pg. 9