Summer 2011 Issue - Durham Rape Crisis Centre

DURHAM RAPE CRISIS CENTRE
NEWSLETTER
V OLine
L U M E 1 (905)668-9200
ISSUE 2
Crisis
Summer 2011
Issue 2
QUARTERLY
Voices of the DRCC
DRCC’s Board Of Directors
After a whirlwind year of many challenges and changes, fall is upon us once again. It’s
my favorite time of year!
Inside this issue
Voices of the DRCC
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Board Of Directors
Manager Of
Counselling Services
Volunteer
1
September brings the DRCC’s “Take Back the Night” on September 15th. I first attended
this event 10 years ago as a CAW Women’s Advocate. I love the community involvement,
the shared experiences and courage of the survivors, the awesome artwork and especially
the efforts of the DRCC staff and volunteers.
2
I hope to see you there! Together we make good things happen!
DRCC Services
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2
24 Hour Crisis Line
Individual
Counselling
Art Therapy Group
DRCC’s Manager of Counselling Services
DRCC Programs
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Crisis Line Volunteer
Training
Y.S.A.A.P.P
Program
DRCC Events
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3
Upcoming Events
EYES WIDE OPEN
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Elder Abuse
Sex Trade Work
DRCC & Durham
Region Community
Special Thank You to
Our Sponsors
HOW YOU CAN
HELP!
FUNDED BY: The Ministry
of the Attorney General
Pam McCormack – Board Member
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre is looking forward to an exciting Fall season ahead. We
are prepared with innovative counselling programs and plenty of ways that clients, students
and volunteers can get involved. We welcome you to our annual Take Back the Night
event on September 15th, our Annual General Meeting on September 26th and our dinner
and auction at East Side Mario’s in Oshawa on September 27th. To top it all off we are
working with Ontario’s Step-It-Up Campaign to end violence against women. This
campaign focuses on educating the public on how individuals can challenge our political
candidates in the up-coming provincial election on October 6th relating to violence against
women. For more information about this campaign go to: www.stepitupontario.ca
See you at the voting booth!
~ Erin Kuri
4
5
10 steps that you can bring to the attention of your MPP to demand action
now:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Understand that violence against women is an equality rights issue.
Recognize that male power is upheld by rape and sexual harassment.
Stop racism/oppression; make Ontario accessible.
End women’s poverty- NOW!
Create and maintain housing, non-profit childcare, training- NOW!
Provide fair access to justice for women.
Hold violent perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Stop blaming women.
Demand secure funding for women’s organizations.
Listen to survivors and women’s advocates- they are the experts!
DRCC Volunteer
I find my volunteering with the DRCC to be the most rewarding work I have ever done.
Most of my work is on the crisis line. I come from a background of extreme abuse and to know
that I am able to direct a woman to the assistance she desperately needs is very rewarding.
Sometimes a woman just needs me to listen, to really hear her words and acknowledge and respect
her. There are no words to describe what getting that call in the middle of the night is like. It is raw emotion. I have
spoken to women who can hardly articulate their pain, desperation and fear and when I hear that panic decrease and to
know that they are able to carry on with dignity is the reason I do this. That woman may phone the line a dozen times
and I am extremely proud that I am one of the people who may be able to offer her another day of hope, courage and
the ability to carry on.
DRCC Services
24 Hour Crisis Line
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.
Individual Counselling
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Art Therapy Group
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*NEW* MY VOICE, MY LIFE
Our FREE MY VOICE, MY LIFE 12 week group for female’s ages 16 to 20 who have experienced sexual
abuse/assault either recently or in the past will be starting on January 19th, 2011 and will run until April 5th, 2011 from
6pm to 8pm. This group utilizes music, art, and writing to help group members explore and express themselves.
DRCC Programs
Crisis Line Volunteer Training
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Y.S.A.A.P.P. – Youth Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Program
.
DRCC Events
Upcoming Events
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre will be hosting our Annual Take Back The Night rally
and march on Thursday, September 15th, 2011 from 6pm to 10pm. Come join hands,
walk with us and show support to your wives, mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers,
cousins and friends. Please visit www.durhamrapecrisiscentre.com and our Events
section for more information on this exciting event.
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre is inviting you, your family and friends to come out on
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 anytime from 5pm to 9pm and show your support by
joining us at East Side Mario’s located at the Oshawa Centre for a delicious dinner and
an exciting silent auction. Please visit www.durhamrapecrisiscentre.com and our Events
section for more information on this exciting event.
EYES WIDE OPEN
Elder Abuse
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre recognizes that Elder Abuse is an ongoing issue within the Durham Region. Elder
Abuse is an act of maltreatment against an older person by someone they know and recognize. Common types of Elder
Abuse include psychological abuse, financial abuse, frauds and scams, neglect, self-neglect, physical abuse, violation of
rights, medication abuse and sexual abuse. (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HANDBOOK for Police and Crown Prosecutors in Alberta, July
12th, 2011).
Elderly women account for two thirds of individuals over the age of 85 and less than 10% of sexual assaults against
elderly women are reported. Abused older women are also more likely to report health problems. Some statistics
identify that those women who are between the age of 70 and 89 are often sexually assaulted within nursing homes. 1 in
every 4 women over the age of 65 is a survivor of sexual abuse. Sexual assault of elderly women is often disguised as
care. The list of perpetrator’s includes, intimate partners, care givers, family members, and acquaintances. (International
Forum on “Sexual Safety of Older Women - A Human Rights Approach”, June 15th, 2011)
Elder Abuse Awareness Day was marked on October 19th, 2004 by the Minister responsible for seniors and the
Attorney General. The province of Ontario now recognizes October 19th as Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
(http://onpea.org/english/pdfs/InfoSheetOntarioStrategy.pdf , July 19th, 2011)
On August 8th, 2007 the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) prepared a proposal “A Draft
Framework for a National Strategy for the Prevention of Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults in Canada”, which
outlined the issue of Elder Abuse and what steps provinces across Canada are taking. Ontario developed a five-year,
$4.3 million Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse. Ontario’s Strategy focused on three priorities: coordination of
community services, training for front-line staff who work with seniors, and education to raise public awareness about
abuse and neglect of older adults. The strategy also included regional consultants around the province to aid
communities and professionals in coordinating efforts. (http://cnpea.ca/ , July 12th, 2011)
On December 2nd, 2004 the Ontario Legislature passed a Senior Bill of Rights which ensures that the rights of senior in
Ontario are protected. The Durham Elder Abuse Network is a great resource for anyone who is looking for more
information on Elder Abuse; the DRCC is included on the contact list for elderly women who are survivors of sexual
violence. (http://www.durhamelderabusenetwork.ca/).
Sex Trade Work
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre believes in unity within our society in order to challenge and change existing beliefs,
attitudes, policies and procedures. We recognize the need to fight the systems and structures that perpetuate oppression
against women. As an anti-oppressive agency providing support to all female survivors of sexual violence ages 16+, the
DRCC does not judge or discriminate against any particular individual and we are committed in taking an active role
with in our community to end all forms of violence against women.
The DRCC is a member of the Sex Trade Workers Circle. This committee is a collection of organizations that are
committed to providing services, resources, and referrals to women involved in sex-work in Durham Region. The 2006
Encyclopaedia of Prostitution and Sex Work provided the following definition. “Sex work” is a phrase created in the
last 30 years to refer to sexual commerce of all kinds. Prostitution has varying definitions in different contexts. Some of
these are based on the definition of prostitution in law, or what is illegal. Legal definitions change over time and place,
leading to great confusion if one relies on one definition from the criminal code or one from the civil code, as they do
not travel well. Despite the difficulty of terminology, prostitution as a sexual exchange for money or other valuables is
the general definition of prostitution for this work. In that sense, the term 'sex work' is appropriate in its inclusivity. 'Sex
work' was conceived as a non-stigmatizing term, without the taint of the words 'whore' and 'prostitute.' The point of the
term was to convey the professionalism of the sex worker rather than her lack of worth as seen by much of
society."(http://prostitution.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000849, August 2nd, 2011)
Facts on Trafficking and prostitution state that women and children in street prostitution comprise 1/3 of the 1,500
people in the sex industry in Montreal. (Police estimates. "Prostitutes protest police sweep" Montreal Gazette, 23 June 1998) There are
10,000 prostitutes in the Greater Toronto Area, and more than 4,000 women are in the escort trade. One hour costs a
minimum of $150, with half usually going to the agency. Women escorts are "busiest" during corporate conventions
held in the area. A recent trend is for women to operate as "independents" that book their own dates and run ads on the
internet. (Detective Mark Marple of Peel Region Police Nick Pron, "Dating Services Bring Boom Times to Prostitution," Toronto Star, 1997)
70 to 80% of those involved in the Canadian sex industry began as children and 80 to 95% are fleeing sexual abuse that
usually began at home. (Kimberly Daum, "Sexually Exploited Children in Canada: The Law is Not on Their Side," Opinion/Essays, 17
October 1996)
In Canada, the escort service has become a booming underground economy, at an estimated $1/2 billion annually. The
number of agencies has increased from just a few a decade ago to more than 125 in the Greater Toronto Area alone.
Men run most of the 25 larger agencies in the Greater Toronto Area, the biggest of which employs about 100 women.
Other small agencies have between 2 and 6 women. (Toronto Star investigation, Nick Pron, "Dating Services Bring Boom Times to
Prostitution," Toronto Star, 1997) For more statistics in Canada please visit http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/canada.htm.
In Toronto, Canada, prostitution is not illegal, but communicating or discussing sex for cash is one of four Criminal
Code offenses governing the escort agency trade. (Nick Pron, "Dating Services Bring Boom Times to Prostitution," Toronto Star,
1997). The de-criminalization of sex trade work will mean the undoing of statutes which made certain acts criminal, so
that those acts no longer are crimes or subject to prosecution. (http://legaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/decriminalization).
The old legislation stated that the following activities surrounding sex trade work were illegal in Ontario. 1.
Communicating in a public place for the purpose of selling or buying sex. A public space is defined as "any place to
which the public have access... and any motor vehicle located in a public place or in any place open to public view." 2.
Keeping or using a "bawdy house," and Procurement (that is, obtaining or purchasing, or attempting to procure, a
person for sexual acts; it also includes living off the avails of a sex worker) As of September 2010, the decriminalization of the above activities has occurred. Allowing sex trade workers to solicit customers openly (DRAFT 4 OCRCC Discussion: Prostitution Legislation in Ontario, October 2010).
Sexual violence is a crime no matter what your profession may be and there is no excuse for this type of crime. The
DRCC provides the support and assistance that is necessary.
Please contact Erin at (905)444-9672 ext. # 27 for more information regarding our counselling services.
DRCC & Durham Region Community
The Durham Rape Crisis Centre takes pride in being active within the Durham Region.
The DRCC supports and participates in many community events throughout the year.
Recently the DRCC participated in the Community Garage Sale & BBQ hosted
by Durham Deaf Services. The DRCC will be participating at the upcoming Frosh Fest at Trent
University located in Oshawa on September 6th and 7th, 2011. As well as the Aids Walk For Life event on September
24th, 2011 and “Mind Your Body Day” for Mental Health Awareness Day at UOIT on September 28th, 2011.
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2010-11 SPONSORS
Allstate Insurance
www.allstate.ca
Long & McQuade (Oshawa)
www.long-mcquade.com
ampm JUNK REMOVAL - (905)493-2676
www.ampmjunkremoval.com
Mackie’s Moving Systems - (905) 728-1603
www.mackiegroup.com
Beta Sigma Phi—NuDelta
Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries
Thornton Cemetery - (905) 579-6787
BREAK AWAY GROUP OF COMPANIES
www.breakaway.on.ca
PAN Group Properties—Mini Stor-it
1760 Harbour Street, Whitby (905) 668-9111
CIBC
www.cibc.com
Panago Pizza
140 Taunton Rd, W Whitby (905)310-0001
DAM Income Tax
26– 1300 King St, E (905)725-0268
Square Boy Pizza
www.squareboypizza.ca
Don’s No Frills
3555 Thickson Rd, N Whitby
Tim Horton's
17 Athol St, 560 King St, E & Simcoe St, S
East Side Mario’s - Oshawa Center
2540-419 King Street West (905) 728-6000
YWCA Durham
www.ywcadurham.org
www.durhamrapecrisiscentre.com
For future issue suggestions, please forward your requests to [email protected]
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
To make a monetary and/or product donation to the
Durham Rape Crisis Centre or to sponsor an event please contact
Marzena at: Tel: 905-444-9672 ext.: 27
Email: [email protected] forward your donation/request to
P.O. Box 567, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 5V3.