Project O.W.N. (Opportunities for Women Now)

Transcription

1 2009 When thee builds a prison, thee had better build with the thought ever in thy mind that thee and thy children may occupy the cells. Elizabeth Fry THE NEWSLETTER OF THE COUNCIL OF ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETIES OF ONTARIO Project O.W.N. (Opportunities for Women Now) Last year Elizabeth Fry Toronto began an exciting new program. - Project O.W.N. This project is a preventative outreach initiative designed to respond to the significant gap/need for user friendly resources designed to increase understanding of the Canadian legal framework as it relates to marginalized women s lives. Project O.W.N. provides outreach to women at-risk of coming into conflict with the law, and agencies that serve them, to raise awareness of criminal justice issues and how they impact women s lives. During the past year counsellors have been connecting with ethno-cultural agencies and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services focusing on the priority area of Scarborough. With the support of these agencies we have been able to identify the needs of women who are at risk and work together to provide education and support. A partnership will also be developed with the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton to deliver workshops for women in prison who are about to be released. Law students are helping to develop workshops on different topics such as domestic violence, shoplifting/fraud, child abuse and other information about the Canadian legal system. Peer support is a critical component of O.W.N. and is based on a train the trainer model. Women who have past personal experiences with the criminal justice system have been trained to co-facilitate crime prevention workshops in the community. The program also helps the peer co-facilitators increase their knowledge of the criminal justice system, overcome obstacles, and gain valuable Canadian work experience that can lead to future employment. In June, 14 women graduated from the Peer Leadership program. They then started to make presentations in the community and will continue to make 4 presentations per month. About 30 organizations have been contacted to ensure that our peers are able to reach at risk women, and those who have been in the criminal justice system and may be in need of further information and support. When Elizabeth Fry Toronto introduces new programs we are conscious of the impact our work will have on the larger community. O.W.N focuses on crime prevention by providing information about our legal system and lifting some of the barriers to employment, education and full citizenship for all at risk women, thereby helping to create a safer community and long-term social change.

2 2 Shoplifter Rehab A Cost-Effective Solution to an Expensive Problem A bottle of shampoo. A pair of nylons. Pliers and a screwdriver. The items lifted from store shelves and stuffed into a pocket or purse may not always be expensive but the impact on the Canadian economy certainly is. Across Canada, tens of thousands of people are apprehended every year for stealing merchandise from stores. Customer theft occurs 150,000 times per day and the average daily total of stolen goods is worth $2.1 million. These store theft cases account for more than 10% of all criminal offences that are processed by the justice system. While the offences are relatively minor, the thefts hurt community businesses and the resultant court expenditures are a financial burden to taxpayers. In an effort to explore ways to reduce shoplifting and the number of shoplifting cases that are processed by the courts, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel-Halton in Brampton, Ontario (in concert with the Retail Council of Canada and local provincial Crown Attorneys) have developed a diversion project called An Alternative Justice Response. The Elizabeth Fry Society realized that the court system and traditional punishments were not necessarily correcting the problem of shoplifting. The organizations also realized that most shoplifters are people who face serious underlying issues in their lives. These people are different than the ones who shoplift to sell their stolen goods, notes Sophia Brown- Ramsey, a community counselor with the project. It s not about money, because they usually have money in their pockets. Most of the time, they don t even need the items they ve stolen. When you get down to the core, there s always some issue involved; often, it s the anniversary of a tragic event. In one case, a woman whose baby had died, stole baby clothes from a department store on the anniversary of her baby s death. She had no use for the clothes and threw them into a bin afterward. We see this all the time an emotional scar triggers the act of theft. Once a shoplifter has been apprehended and selected for the program, An Alternative Justice Response intervenes with counseling and at times refers people to appropriate agencies that can provide more extensive treatment. Through the program, non-professional shoplifters (those who do not steal for the purpose of selling stolen goods) are given an opportunity to change their behavior without incurring a criminal conviction. The diversion program begins with education the costs of shop theft (both personal and social) are explained so that the offender understands the damage that he or she has caused. An Elizabeth Fry Society staff person then develops a plan, in partnership with the victim to determine appropriate and meaningful sanctions for the offender, such as: delivering a verbal or written apology providing a charitable contribution performing a community service providing restitution or compensation writing an essay accepting counseling Failure to comply with the imposed sanctions results in the processing of the original criminal charge through the justice system. This Elizabeth Fry project is a partnership continued on page 4 Are You Living In A Cage? There will be someone reading this poem Who feels trapped with a sense of fear A woman who suffers in silence A woman who has shed many tears. For days on end she has suffered abuse Feeling trapped like a bird in a cage She must choose her words very carefully So as not to set him off in a rage He appears now to derive great pleasure In criticizing all the things she will do And from time to time he will slap her Making sure she knows his rules. She cringes at the thought of bedtime For his pleasure he will then seek her touch It s the only time that he will whisper to her That he loves her so very much. Soon after when he closes his eyes in sleep She quietly makes her way to the den Sitting in tears and silence she asks When in God s name will it end. If only she could summon the courage to call A shelter where she knows she s be safe Make arrangements to flee for her life while he s gone Never again wearing bruises on her face. Then later that night while lying in bed She says prayers to the good Lord above Asking for courage and the strength that she needs To escape from this make believe love. In the morning the husband sits sullen and still When he realizes that he s now all alone His wife s prayers had finally been answered In the still of night, she left the cage, he called home.

3 Women s Reality in Canada Conditions for women in Canada are complex and varied, with Ontario one of the more privileged provinces in the country. Still, women all over Canada face barriers to equality. In particular, women who experience multiple intersecting inequities remain more vulnerable and less free than other women to poverty, violence and marginalization. How are women doing? 37% of women of color live below the poverty line, compared with 19% of all women. Average annual income for a woman of color in Canada is almost $7,000 less than that of men of color (23,635.) Among women with disabilities, women between 35 and 54 have the highest incomes at an average of $17,000 per year, 55% of men with disabilities in the same age range. Half of Canadian women (51%) have been victims of at least one act of physical or sexual violence since age 16. More than three-quarters of Canadians believe violence against women should be an urgent priority for the federal government and there is a widely share opinion that neither the media nor women s groups exaggerate the seriousness of the issue. Forty percent of women with disabilities have been raped, abused or assaulted. Aboriginal women report spousal violence rates twice as high as Aboriginal men and three times higher than non Abortiginal women. Women are still the primary caregivers of children in Canada. Women spend from 15 to 60 hours per week looking after children outnumbered by men almost 2 to 1. According to the Centre for Equality Rights in Accomodation (CERA), high levels of discrimination and poverty make adequate housing inaccessible to many women, especially Aboriginal women, women with disabilities, immigrant women, women of color and poor women. Of families with children 21.4% live in unaffordable housing costing more than 30% of their income. Among lowincome families with children, 66% live in unaffordable housing. On reserve Aboriginal women, unlike women off reserve, still have no right to half of matrimonial property, such as housing, after marriage breakdown. This discrimination can affect ability to stay on her reserve land. Women s shelters in Canada report lack of affordable housing as one of the top three issues for women using shelters. Women account for the majority of victims (85%) of reported spousal assaults. 3

4 continued from page 3 with the Retail Council of Canada and the Business Action Program on Crime Prevention an initiative of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention. The retailers that are contributing to our efforts are setting a good example for local businesses, added Brown-Ramsey. They re doing a great job at sorting out the professional thieves from the others. Eventually, I d like to see this go beyond the community it s such a good program! For too long, we ve been looking at this problem from the wrong point of view. These people aren t bad, they just need our help. It s never what it appears to be on the surface. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel-Halton is a volunteer organization that works to eliminate conflict between women and the criminal justice system. It serves over 5,000 individuals per year, 75% of whom are women and girls. For more information on the Society, phone (905) or efry@efrypeelhalton.ca SIMCOE COUNTY STATS Elizabeth Fry Simcoe County has 18 programs and services. Joyce Kope House is a federal and provincial half-way house and homeless shelter to over 500 women per year. The Grocery Assistance Program (food bank) feeds over 8,000 a year and this year is on track to feed 12,000. Over 500 youth throughout Simcoe County are seen through Extra Judicial Measures, Extra Judicial Sanctions, Restorative Justice and Youth Justice Committees. Over 3,000 women, men and youth are seen in the Court Support Program. Over 300 women, men and youth are in counseling at the agency. Over 2,500 women, men and youth take anger management, healthy relationships, anti-theft and fraud and drug awareness programs in a year. At Central North Correctional Centre on average 10 women are seen daily for an average of 2,500 interviews and counseling sessions per year. Federal programs for women and men average at 100 clients a year

5 Elizabeth Fry Societies in Ontario Hamilton 293 Wellington St. N. Suite 111 Hamilton, ON L8M 8E7 (905) Kingston Ottawa Peel & Halton 127 Charles Street Kingston K7K 1V8 (613) Room Bronson Ave. Ottawa K1R 4P8 (613) Queen Street East Ste. LL-01 Brampton L6V 1A3 (905) Peterborough 223 Aylmer St. S. Unit #2 Peterborough K9J 3K6 (705) Simcoe County 102 Maple Avenue Barrie L4N 1S4 (705) Sudbury Thunder Bay 204 Elm Street West Sudbury P3C 1V3 (705) Miles Street East Thunder Bay, On. P7C 1J6 (807) Toronto 215 Wellesley St. E. Toronto M4X 1G1 (416) Kitchener / Waterloo 58 Queen Street South Kitchener ON N2G 1V6 (519)

6 Ottawa Elizabeth Fry Services The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa is a United Way member agency devoted to helping women and female youth who are, or may be, at risk of coming into conflict with the law. We offer a variety of different programs and services to provide women with confidential and supportive living and learning environments. Our team consists of 21 full and part time staff, 9 relief staff and 134 volunteers. Our Services: Individual Counseling A counselor provides one on one support and advocacy services to clients and assists them in assessing their needs and/or risks. Group Counseling Programs are run in a group setting, with specific modules and learning objectives for each session. Groups meet each week and run for 6 to 16 weeks. Theft Prevention Programs These programs for both adults and youth address the underlying issues that contribute to theft behavior. Anger Programs For Women to help them learn to identify the role of anger and learn how to manage their feelings effectively. Community Justice Program An alternative to prosecution for eligible individuals 18 years of age and older who have been charged with minor criminal offences. Outreach Programs: Hooked Up and Gateway Provides peer support to women and transgender individuals who are involved in the sex trade industry. Gateway is a 12 week supper club program and is a follow up to The Salvation Army s 3 day STEP Program for individuals who are involved in 6 the sex trade industry. We also offer street outreach for those involved in the sex trade industry. House Retention and Support Provides support and advocacy on housing issues, information workshops on tenant rights, assists with housing searches and landlord tenant negotiations. Also provides street outreach and shelter in reach. Volunteer Initiative Program We currently have three main volunteer programs: The Courthouse Program, The JF Norwood House Program and the Jail Visiting Program. JF Norwood House A 12 bed transitional housing program offering supportive living to women during their reintegration. Drawing from community support and contributions, we offer women a chance at successful reintegration, an opportunity to work on education and employment objectives and access services while supported by an environment that nurtures their individualities and potential. We offer 5 beds to women leaving federal correctional facilities, 3 beds to women leaving provincial correctional facilities, 3 mental health crisis beds and 1 bed for a woman coming through drug court. Community Reintegration Program The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa has a counselor at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre, where we offer community reintegration planning to women, including young offenders. Youth Reintegration Program This program is for youth who are in detention or open custody at Talitha House or Sundance Youth Correctional Facility and returning to the Ottawa area. Court Support Program Our court program ensures women understand and are supported through the court process and that community based alternatives are available to them to change their behavior. Efry staff being presented with a cheque from the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health a one year grant to provide services through Adult and Youth Mental Health Court

7 Peterborough Elizabeth Fry Services Peterborough Efry staff taking a rare break. Court Support This service provides information on the legal and justice systems, brief crisis counseling, advocacy, referrals and emotional support to women appearing before the Peterborough Criminal Court. One-on-one & Group Counseling This service allows women to explore inter and intra personal and societal issues around emotional, physical, sexual and systemic abuse, anger, stigma, labeling, substance abuse and chemical dependency, food and housing insecurity and life skills in order to plan strategies and take positive actions that effect positive change. Pre-Release Program This program assists women returning to the community after incarceration by working with them to identify unique needs and opportunities to ensure successful reintegration or completion of probation order, community service orders, or sentencing while using the multifaceted service model for women and their families. Research & Development Through research and policy development, we can effectively use alternatives to incarceration through restorative justice programs such as diversion and mediation programs. Some of four core programs have been used as diversion programs for women attending criminal court. Community Education Program This program facilitates and promotes public education in order to develop a greater understanding of women in conflict with the law. Prison Advocacy The purpose of this program is to assist and support women through their incarceration at the Central East Correctional Center. Our Prison Advocate offers telephone access, support, counseling, referrals and advocacy (institutional and community based), legal support and advocacy as well as addressing institutional barriers to issues such as adequate healthcare, etc. Violence Awareness Program This is an education program created by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The Ministry provides EFry Peterborough funding to facilitate this program to the female inmates incarcerated at the Central East Correctional Centre. Sexual Assault Treatment Program This program is available to all women who have experience sexual assault/abuse. It is a 12 week program focusing on the theme Striving to Thriving. This program was offered in group setting with availability for one-on-one follow-up counseling. Anger Solutions Program This is a community based program for women who are experiencing difficulty managing emotions, particularly their anger. STOP Shoplifting Program Combines group and individual counseling to help women identify the underlying problems associated with shoplifting and assists them in developing the skills to find solutions and to cope with their problems so that we can work with the court system and local lawyers for alternatives to incarceration for women. In 1986 in Peterborough, community organizer Pat Love established a steering committee. By 1987 the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough had been founded, and by 1989 it was incorporated. 7

8 COUNCIL OF ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETIES OF ONTARIO The Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario is the collective voice of the Elizabeth Fry Societies in Ontario. The Council is comprised of 9 autonomous member agencies located in Barrie (Simcoe County), Hamilton, Kingston, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Kitchener (Region of Waterloo). Opening the Doors is published by the Council and circulated to the Council s supporters, member agencies, and interested community groups. The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors or editors, and are not necessarily those of the Council or its members. We welcome your inquiries, comments and suggestions. 9 Nelles Street, Acton, Ontario L7J 2Y7 Tel: nmooney@cefso.ca Web: MANDATE & PURPOSE The Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario promotes the fair and equal treatment of women in conflict with the law by: Providing services for women involved in the criminal justice and correctional systems Assisting and supporting member societies to develop and maintain high quality programs and services to women in conflict with the law, appropriate to women s needs Working for penal reform Promoting public awareness and understanding of the needs of women in conflict with the law and the need for change in the criminal justice system as it affects women Our Donors We acknowledge, with heartfelt thanks, the generosity of our loyal donors. TRUS USTS, S, FOUNDATIONS, ESTATES TES Samuel Rogers Memorial Trust Wesley & Mary Nichol RELIGIOUS ORDERS & INSTITUTIONS Diocese of London Bishops Charities Committee Congregation de Notre Dame United Church Women Corunna St. Andrews United Church Women Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary The Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario would like to thank all of those individuals who kindly made donations in the fiscal year. Due to the new Privacy Act we are unable to publish their Let us know... From time to time, we find that the best way to reach people not familiar with our work, is to exchange our mailing list with like-minded non-profit organizations, and we strictly limit the use they can make of our mailing lists. However, you have the right not to have your name and address exchanged. If you wish, we will delete your name from these exchanges. Simply write, telephone or us and request the change. names but we are truly appreciative of all donations received. Without these donations we would not be able to continue the work we do. Thank you all very much! COUNCIL OF ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETIES OF ONTARIO 9 Nelles Stree eet, Acton, Ontario L7J 2Y7 Tel: nmooney@cefso.ca Web: w.cefso.ca