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All Issues | 2014 Issues

WOMEN FEMMES NB

IN THIS ISSUE:

Featured Article:
Family Violence Prevention Month

Notices

Did You Know?

In the News:
    - Understanding Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence
    - Despite Dramatic Results, No Meaningful Change in the Percentage of Women Elected to
      Parliament
    - Listening to Domestic Violence Through a WallParting Thoughts

Parting Thoughts

Family Violence Prevention Month

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following statement was issued today by Premier Brian Gallant, who is also the minister responsible for women’s equality, in recognition of November as Family Violence Prevention Month in New Brunswick:

Family violence is a serious societal issue that does not discriminate; it affects our families and communities and is often experienced behind closed doors. Too often, we hear about tragedies resulting from domestic violence targeted at women. New Brunswickers should be outraged that this abuse continues.

As a government we are committed to ending family violence. We work closely with community partners in delivering services to victims and enhancing awareness and violence prevention programs.

Our government is proud to support various programs and initiatives that provide much-needed services to women in this province:

• Domestic Violence Outreach services;
• the Concurrent Group Program for Children exposed to violence and their Mothers;
• Second-stage housing;
• the Provincial Partnership in Action Forum;
• Community Action Fund;
• the Provincial Strategy on Sexual Assault Services and related services; and
• the Strategic Framework to End Violence against Wabanaki Women in New Brunswick.

Every year, the Fergusson Foundation, formerly the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation, appeals to New Brunswickers to recognize November as Family Violence Prevention Month. The foundation has been working to eliminate family violence for almost 30 years by funding research into the causes of family violence and by promoting educational programs and supporting organizations that provide services to those impacted by violence and abuse.

I was pleased to sign a declaration marking November as Family Violence Prevention Month in New Brunswick. During November, I encourage New Brunswickers to acknowledge that domestic violence exists in our communities, that it is completely unacceptable and that it will not be tolerated.

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NOTICES

Asked why he went with gender equality in his cabinet today, Justin Trudeau said: "Because it's 2015." https://www.facebook.com/cbcnews/videos/10153769328249604/    http://bit.ly/1WzrHdr  

The members of the organizing committee for the World March of Women event that took place in Fredericton on Saturday October 17, 2015 would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make it possible.  Over 125 people participated.  The many groups who contributed to the events success are listed on the website: https://wmwfredericton.wordpress.com/.  Also available on the website is the Demands Document.  Please read the document and think about how you can contribute to the work of women’s equality.  For more information, contact [email protected].

In Recognition of Family Violence Prevention Month. The Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research will be hosting a lunch and learn series in November:
    ·  Wednesday, Nov. 4 - Presentation and discussion,” What Does Gender Have to do with Abuse of
       Older Adults”
    ·  Wednesday, Nov. 18 -  discussion of award-winning book, Women Voicing Resistance: Discursive
       and Narrative Explorations (Routledge, 2014)
    ·  Wednesday, Nov. 25 – Discussion on “Transforming Data into Real Help for Communities:
       Examples from the Work of the Religion and Violence Research Team”
From 12 noon to 1 pm at MMFC, 678 Windsor Street, Fredericton. Bring your lunch and learn! Everyone is welcome. RSVP: Kim Wade [email protected]

Support to Single Parents - Educational Programs:
    ·  Finding the “You” After Separation - Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm, starting November 4,
       Moncton.
    ·  The Messages of Anger - Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 am, starting November 24, Moncton.
    ·  Helping the Family Thrive After Separation - Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 am, starting November
       25, Moncton.
    ·  Parenting Teenagers - Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 am, starting December 3, Moncton.
No one will be refused service if they are unable to pay. Facilitator: Debbie Melanson-Hebert. Registration begins 3 weeks before start date. Call Nathalie at 506-858-1303 ext. 3301, Email: [email protected]. For more information on programs: www.supporttosingleparents.ca

The New Brunswick local chapter of the Catholic Network for Women’s Equality (CNWE NB): Fall Day of Reflection.  Marie Evans Bouclin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Womanpriests (RCWP) of Canada will give a keynote address on “The History of Ordained Women Since Vatican II” on Friday, November 6 at 7:00 pm (free and open to all), followed by discussion and a wine and cheese reception.  Saturday, November 7, Bishop Bouclin will facilitate the Fall Day of Reflection on: Women Shaping a Future of Equality and Justice.  9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  $20.  Please register: by email  at [email protected] or call 506-529-4315.  Open to participants of all faith backgrounds. Both events take place at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 1 William St., Fredericton (north).

Rape Culture on Campus - Canadian Federation of University Women Moncton is presenting Jan Wong as their November speaker.  Jan is an award winning journalist, author and a professor at St. Thomas University.  She will be speaking on the topic of "Rape Culture on Campus", a current and vital topic. The presentation will be held at the Moncton Public Library in the Blue Cross Centre, 644 Main Street, Moncton.  Parking is at the rear of the building. Saturday November 7, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.  There is no charge and everyone is welcome to attend.

Including Immigrant Women in a Community Coordinated Response to Family Violence, November 12 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm at MacLaggan Hall (Faculty of Nursing), Room ML53, 53 Dineen Drive, UNB Fredericton. The day will feature the voices of diverse immigrant women reflecting on the challenge of speaking out on the issue of family violence amongst immigrant groups while at the same time coping with the daily realities of life on the margins of society. The perspectives of community allies such as those from immigrant settlement services, cultural associations, universities, government and domestic violence service providers will also be shared. Simultaneous translation will be available. Regular Registration rate $50 / Student rate $30 - Preregistration required. Simultaneous translation will be available. For more information or to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/collaborating-with-immigrant-women-in-responding-to-family-violence-la-voix-de-la-femme-immigrante-tickets-18867737912  or contact Kim Wade at [email protected] or (506) 453-3595.

Access to Justice Forum Thursday, November 12 at Wilmot Church 473 King St., Fredericton. Program/Lunch free. Family Law Panelists family lawyer, Sheila Cameron and legal expert on Intimate Partner Violence, Linda Neilson, exploring the impact of separate family law/criminal law cases triggered by partner violence. The NB Child and Youth Advocate’s presentation will explore how the Youth Criminal justice system meets or fails societal /individual goals. Prof. Jula Hughes, will moderate exploration of Social Assistance Application and Appeal with a panelist requested from Department of Social Development and Mr. Claude Snow, who accompanies appellants, sharing the client perspective. Details at: http://marconf.ca/resources/access-to-justice-working-group/.  Pre-register by email to [email protected].

Rose Campaign 2015 - November 25-December 6. Rose Campaign 2015 will continue pressure for a national action plan on violence against women and girls and a national inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The good news is that both of these, along with a host of other changes, were promised by the incoming government during the federal election. Rose Campaign 2015 echoes Justin Trudeau’s election promise to the country: Time for Real Change on violence against women and girls. That’s our message to incoming MPs, and the incoming government. Spread the Word - Go to www.rosecampaign.ca to learn more and download a full suite of resources.

Promoting Resiliency: The Impacts of Intimate Partner Violence on Parenting and Parent Child Relationships & Promising Evidence-based Supports/Responses – November 25-26. The Domestic Violence Community Action Group and the KVIPV Action Group are excited to announce a two day conference with Dr. Linda Baker on Wednesday, November 25 and Thursday, November 26, 2015 8:30am-4:00pm (registration 8:00-8:30am on the 25th).  at the Q-Plex (20 Randy Jones Way, Quispamsis, NB). Cost: $100. Register before November 13 by contacting Susan Hache at [email protected] or (506) 632-5794.

Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick is offering the following workshops in November:

• St. Stephen - November 24 - Doing Your Own Divorce 
• Moncton - November 25 - Obtenir son propre Divorce 
• Woodstock - November 25 - Doing Your Own Divorce
• Fredericton - November 26 - Separation: Legal Considerations
• Sussex - November 26 - Separation: Legal Considerations

Click here to register.

A Global Perspective: Work across Sectors with Positive Results – Online Workshops, November 3-19. Want to change the world?  Start in your workplace and community! Enhance your skills in partnership development, collaborative planning, knowledge exchange and facilitation with these online workshops. Engage in dialogue with other participants, learning from their experiences, resources, and real-world examples. Discounts are available for groups of 2 or more.  Covering the Basics: The Circle of Health and E-learning; Developing Partnerships; Collaborative Value-Based Planning; Sharing Information with Others; and Facilitating Discussions. Online workshops run from 1:00-2:30 pm Atlantic Time. Details: www.thequaich.pe.ca/workshops.asp

An evening with James Mullinger in support of the Kennebecasis Valley Outreach (KV Outreach). December 8 at the Kennebecasis Valley High School theatre!  James was one of the hardest working comedians in England and he now lives in the Kennebecasis Valley. A proud feminist with a degree in women’s studies, James is passionate about the problems some women face. This is a fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds going to KV Outreach. Last year's show raised over $6000. This year we would like to double that figure. A great show for a great cause. For more information http://www.kvoutreach.ca/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/1636007416673084/ or email: [email protected]

New Brunswick Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs): Qualified women and men having the highest personal and professional integrity are invited to serve on New Brunswick agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs).   Vacancy for appointment: New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation, Trustees on the Board of Trustees. The Foundation promotes the public library system, fundraises and provides resources supporting fundraising. For more information or to apply: New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation. For more opportunities, check out the following link:  ABC current opportunities

Voices of New Brunswick Women Consensus-Building Forum – Contact Us: Sartain MacDonald Building, 551 King Street, Suite 103, Fredericton NB E3B 1E7, T. 506.462.5179, 1-844-462-5179, F. 506.462.5069, E. [email protected], www.voixfemmesnb-voiceswomennb.ca.

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In the News

Understanding Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence

Many immigrant women who are experiencing domestic violence require culturally sensitive support services. A new project on Canada’s east coast aims to ensure these types of services are made available.

The New Brunswick Multicultural Council (NBMC) received almost $230,000 in funding from Status of Women Canada to create projects to ensure local domestic and family violence service providers, as well as settlement service providers, are adequately equipped to support immigrant women experiencing violence at home.

“We don’t know that the rates are different amongst immigrant women, but what we do know is that even though it’s difficult for everybody to disclose and seek help, we want to make it as easy as possible when they do,” says Dr. Catherine Holtmann, director of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research (MMFC), one of the project’s partners. “We’ll respond in ways that are appropriate and help them to stop the violence in their lives.”

Alex LeBlanc, managing director of the NBMC, says settlement service providers currently lack expertise in addressing intimate partner violence while domestic, intimate and family violence service providers lack capacity in terms of cross cultural contexts.

“It speaks to a lack of capacity on both sides of the fence. We want to figure out what the needs are and how to address them in a more coordinated way,” explains LeBlanc.
 

Barriers for immigrant women

Reflecting on her own background entering Canada as a refugee, Hyasinter Rugoro, one of the project’s research co-chairs, says there are many possible structural barriers that may impact an immigrant woman’s ability to access services.

“One woman may not be able to access [services] because of the linguistic barrier, another one may be frustrated for not being culturally understood when they are trying to access the services or it could be somebody not understanding that they exist,” Rugoro explains. (…)

Continued: http://bit.ly/1HtwsOO

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Despite Dramatic Results, No Meaningful Change in the Percentage of Women Elected to Parliament

Ottawa:  While many voters may have chosen dramatic change to Canada’s political landscape last night by electing a majority Liberal government, one thing remained virtually unchanged: the proportion of women who will serve.  

Of the 338 elected, 88 will be women – or 26 percent women -- up only one percentage point from the last Parliament.

The Liberal Party elected the most women, 50 (42 of whom will be new to Parliament). These 50 women will comprise 27 percent of the governing caucus. The NDP elected 18 women, most returning and some new, and they will comprise 42 percent of the NDP caucus. The Conservatives elected 17 women representing just over 17 percent of its 99 member caucus.  2 women of 10 were elected as Bloc Quebecois MPs. Only Elizabeth May was elected from the Green Party of Canada.

"While many Canadians wanted change, with only 33 percent women on the ballot for the major five parties, electing a higher proportion of women proved extremely difficult. It’s not rocket science. To get more women elected, we need far more women to run," says Joan Weinman, National Vice Chair.

Despite everyone's best efforts, there was huge variability among the parties when it came to the percentage of women candidates. Consequently, Canadians simply did not have enough opportunities to vote for women. 97 of the 338 federal ridings in Canada had no woman on the ballot for the leading three parties. When accounting for all 5 parties, that number dropped to 53. In the end, however, the Bloc Quebecois and Green Party were only elected in 11 seats – with just three women among them…

"Running is no easy feat and the outcome is never guaranteed." (…)

Continued: http://bit.ly/1OQ5JlJ

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Listening to Domestic Violence Through a Wall

“-----, I’m gonna kill you!” he yelled, so loudly that it woke us up in the apartment next door. There were no more words after that. The bangs and crashes spoke for themselves. My husband, Matthew, and I had never heard any fighting from Angela’s (not her real name) apartment before. We called the cops right away. After that, my instinct was to run to her rescue (…)

She was bruised all over. I never knew bruises could form that quickly. Mine tend to result from innate clumsiness (…) and nearly never the act of another human being. Save one childhood fight with my sister, I’ve never been willfully struck by someone who was supposed to love me. Having no idea what that felt like, I didn’t know what to say. After Angela invited me into her home, I asked if I could give her a hug. She warmly accepted, with a warning: “Be gentle. Everything hurts.” I gave her the lightest hug I’ve ever given another human being, and we sat down in her living room.

She knew Matthew and I had been the ones to call the police, and she thanked me for it. I told her exactly what we had heard through the walls and that we would both be happy to testify to that effect. She thanked me again, noting that she had only been dating the lowlife for a few months and that she was finished with him. I told her that she didn’t have to explain anything to me and that I just wanted to make sure she was OK. When I stood up to leave, to give her some privacy, she asked me to stay, so I did.

An awkward silence ensued. Not knowing what else to say and too clueless to embrace the power of silence and pure presence, I let the lawyer in me overtake the human. I told her that her attacker ought to be charged with attempted murder, in addition to assault and battery. I told her that I could help her get a restraining order. I told her again that Matthew and I would gladly testify (…). Worst of all, I told her that she was “lucky” that her attacker had proclaimed his exact intentions so loudly, as our testimony could destroy any doubt regarding his intent to kill.

Angela’s response to my criminal law tutorial was pure grace: “You don’t have to be my lawyer; you can just be my friend.” She was right. So I quit talking and started listening.

It’s easy to think that domestic violence doesn’t affect you if you’ve never experienced it firsthand, but it’s also dead wrong. I wouldn’t say that global warming doesn’t affect me just because my house hasn’t burned down in a wildfire. Domestic violence affects all of us. Every day, we interact with its survivors and its perpetrators, whether we know it or not, and every day, we have an opportunity to be the kind of person, the kind of friend, who doesn’t just lecture, but who listens.

Continued: http://bit.ly/1WyGPwX

Parting Thoughts

“Please don’t wait for others to speak up or take action
to bring about the necessary changes regarding gender equality. 
Take the initiative yourself and if you can’t speak to 50 people,
at least you can speak to 10 or or two or one.”

-Dhruv Arora
Co-creator of GotStared.At & #itsnotyourfault,
to end street harassment of women and girls

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Women's Equality Branch | 551 King Street, Suite A | Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1