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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-17-094 - Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee th DATE OF MEETING: October 30, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services. 519-741-2200 x 7687 PREPARED BY: Lori Palubeski, Manager, Program and Resource Services. 519- 741-2200 x 7623 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All th DATE OF REPORT: October 11,2017 REPORT NO.: CSD-17-094 SUBJECT: Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence: Addressing Hate Crime and Violence Against the LGBTQ Community in Waterloo Region ____________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That Addressing Hate Crime and Violence Against the LGBTQ Community in Waterloo . BACKGROUND: In response to concerns raised by members of the LGBTQ community regarding hate crime statistics against individuals in their respective community, the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) facilitated a community dialogue in late 2014. The of the LGBTQ community, WRCPC members and the Friends of Crime Prevention to discuss violence against this community, to explore possible opportunities to address shared concerns and to envision next steps in supporting collaborative community action. Violence Against the LGBTQ Community in Waterloo R overview of the community dialogue process and, as importantly, outlines a Call to Action that suggests opportunities for change at the system, community and individual level. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 2 - 1 REPORT: On August 3, 2017 the Rainbow Community Council of Waterloo Region (RCC) presented data on the topics of victimization, harassment, safety and belonging to the Safe and Healthy Communities Advisory Committee. To support the advancement of work in these areas, the Safe and Healthy Communities Advisory Committee supported a request from the RCC, to ask Council to endorse the attached report. Against the LGBTQ Community in Waterloo attention to the lived experiences of members of the LGBTQ community who report a higher than average rate of victimization and bullying when compared to their heterosexual peers. The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) made the connection between these experiences and the research data and affirmed that hate crimes against the LGBTQ community are a reality in communities across Canada (CPC-15-05, Region of Waterloo). Through community dialogue, forums, research reviews and a shared commitment to break the silence, the following top priorities for action were developed and are outlined in the report: Promote safety Build alliances Enhance community collaboration Provide public education Show strong leadership violence status quo is critically important for change and improved community safety. Positive shifts can and will occur when allies and champions begin working together to activate change at the system, community and individual level. Specific actions recommended for change at these levels are included in the report. This report raises awareness and draws attention to an issue that is remarkably present, yet silent, in our community. As a municipality, it is important to strategically support the actions identified in the Call to Action and to continue to align ourselves as allies for our LGTBQ community. Council endorsement of the report will ensure that staff continues to strengthen and build community relationships and strategically investigates opportunities to engage with the LGBTQ community and other partners. This direction aligns with the work within Inclusion Services. The Manager of Program and Resource Services has recently beenappointed as the City of Kitchener liaison to the Rainbow Community Council of Waterloo Region. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: 2 - 2 The recommendation of this report supports the achievement vision. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. Any work that may have a budget impact will be considered within existing funding and staff resources. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: rd On August 3Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee received a presentation and a request from the Rainbow Community Council that staff and Council consider endorsing the report. INFORM advance of the council / committee meeting. The Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee, the Rainbow Community Council and the WRCPC were also advised of this report. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO Community Services 2 - 3 Breaking The Silence On Hidden Violence Addressing Hate Crime & Violence Against the LGBTQ Community in Waterloo Region 2 - 4 Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence: Addressing Hate Crime & Violence Against the LGBTQ Community in Waterloo Region Dr. William Walters Community Psychology & Social Work, Independent Consultant Christiane Sadeler Executive Director, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council Juanita Metzger Community Engagement Coordinator, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council With Support from: Judith Lodi, WRCPC Representative Focused Population: LGBTQ. Thank you to Judith for bringing this issue to the attention of WRCPC and for coordinating the community fora that took place in November 2014 and February 2015. Asnake Meshesha, Master of Social Work Student, Wilfrid Laurier University. Cover Image Credit: Before the Universe Retrieved from: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Broken-Rainbow-164361951 Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Published by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. September 2015. All rights reserved. The content of this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, and by any means, without further permission from the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, subject to the following conditions: that it be done solely for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, review or newspaper summary, and/or for non-commercial purposes; and that Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council be fully acknowledged. Accessible formats available upon request. For more information please contact: Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council wrcpc@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4400 Ext. 3474 2 - 5 Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence Addressing Hate Crime & Violence Against the LGBTQ Community in Waterloo Region “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ~ Martin Luther King or many individuals and families within the health and well-being of individuals F the LGBTQ community, one of the most and the community becomes eroded. marginalized and vulnerable groups in Too often victims become silent about Canada, victimization through violence, their experiences of victimization. This is discrimination and systemic exclusion particularly prevalent in populations that is a reality. Breaking the silence on this are marginalized and accustomed to not having their voices heard. to life, liberty and security of the person For this reason, the prevention of violence and the right to not be deprived thereof.” cannot focus on violence alone, but also (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, needs to focus on the broader family, Section 7) community and social dynamics in which violence happens. “ Recognition of the inherent dignity For ideas and actions to lead to sustained, and equal and inalienable rights of positive change they must: all members of the human family • Include efforts at a system, community is the foundation of freedom, and individual level justice and peace in the world and is in accord with the Universal • Challenge public policy Declaration of Human Rights.” • Support those in leadership roles to ~ Human Rights Code, Ontario counter oppression and marginalization • Be grounded in a vision where everyone in the community feels included and their The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention dignity is upheld Council (WRCPC) sees violence as a symptom of a society that is out of This sense of belonging is about moving balance. Violence is part of a continuum beyond tolerance into acceptance. of discrimination and systemic exclusion. Belonging means the celebration of our Wherever violence is allowed to exist, differences as much as our similarities. 2 2 - 6 Harvey Milk, American gay activist, was once asked by a younger gay man what he could do to help the movement and Harvey Milk said, “Go out and tell someone.” Violence hurts us all! Silence about violence is the greatest barrier to inclusion “ I am a mother of a lesbian and puts a great burden on communities. daughter and I worry every day When it comes to violence, seeking to make about her and her girlfriend. our communities a place where everyone They were actually accosted by is safe and has a promising future is a very an older woman in a grocery store reasonable expectation. who felt the need to make them When it comes to achieving this freedom feel inferior because they were from violence, each of us can be an ally and holding hands and kissed each a champion of change by committing to: other in a display of affection.” • Give voice to those who may not have a ~ Community Member voice • Work to eliminate discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes Why this topic? • Foster safety and belonging Why now? • Amplify the voices of those who speak out Members of the LGBTQ community raised against marginalization and oppression concerns regarding the alarming statistics i on hate crimes against individuals in the • Look for meaningful consequences when ii LGBTQ community. In response, the someone has harmed another Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council • Ensure access to supportive resources (WRCPC) organized an open community dialogue on the issue. It is the mandate • Contribute to a broader vision of a of the WRCPC to bring people together community that is safe for all for dialogue on challenging topics to help to broaden awareness, to deepen In helping to break the silence, allies and understanding and to stimulate action. champions share the vision that no one is harmed because of who they are. The forum, Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence, provided an opportunity for community members and agency stakeholders to look for opportunities for change. 3 2 - 7 Sadly, violence against LGBTQ individuals is not new in our community, our province or our country. Since 1986, Chronology of Egale Canada Human Rights Trust has tirelessly championed equality, diversity, Events education, and justice for, and with, November 2014 iii LGBTQ communities across our nation. • 75 people attend the forum In 2006, the Ontario Attorney General Breaking the Silence on and the Minister of Community Safety Hidden Violence a community and Correctional Services published dialogue on hate crime and iv Addressing Hate Crimes in Ontario violence at the based on the work of a provincial Hate Family Centre in Kitchener Crimes Working Group. • 38 people commit to working In 2011, over 150 individuals in recommendations from the Waterloo Region participated in a locally community dialogue developed Hate Crime Prevention & • Summary report is written & Training initiative to better equip our distributed to all participants community in identifying and responding to hate crimes and hate incidents. February 2015 Also in 2011, the Waterloo Region • Follow up meeting is held at the Rainbow Coalition heard from the local Family Centre to prioritize the LGBTQ community that addressing hate recommendations crime and violence must be a priority in v Waterloo Region. priorities and suggested strategies to begin the work, including In 2014, WRCPC researched and establishment of a working group published a fact sheet on hate vi crimes that revealed some troubling May 2015 statistics as they relate to hate crimes • A small group meets and makes committed against individuals in our the decision to align the work of LGBTQ community. Breaking the Silence as a working group of the newly formed With this reality as a backdrop, the Rainbow Community Council forum Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence was designed to raise June 2015 awareness and draw attention to an issue • A small working group drafts a that is still remarkably present and yet Terms of Reference, expands the doesn’t receive much public attention. working group membership and determines immediate priorities 4 2 - 8 • Double the risk for post-traumatic stress What do we know? disorder (PTSD) than heterosexual people n 2012, Statistics Canada reported that • 77% of transgender respondents in an I 13% of police-reported hate crimes were Ontario-based survey had seriously motivated by hatred of sexual orientation. considered suicide and 45% had Compared to other forms of hate crimes, attempted suicide; and those transgender incidents related to sexual orientation are: youth who had experienced physical or sexual assault were found to be at greatest risk being violent offences • LGBTQ youth face approximately 14 times • the highest percentage of male victims the risk of suicide and substance abuse (80%), and just over a half of the victims than their heterosexual peers were youth (56% under the age of 25). • LGBTQ youth are also overrepresented among the homeless population as PFLAG “ When it is dark out I worry about Canada reports that 26% of LGBTQ youth viii my safety as a trans woman are told to leave home. because if I were to be sexually According to Toronto’s recent street needs assaulted and the assailant were assessment, youth in the city identify as LGBTQ. The injured or killed.” report cautions that this number is not representative of the true number of ~ Community Member homeless LGBTQ youth who often avoid the shelter systems which they see as homophobic and transphobic. Further, many Recently the Canadian Mental Health youth are subject to homophobic bullying vii Association reported that LGBTQ people within schools and members of the LGBTQ experience: community face barriers in accessing employment, health care, elder supports • Higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other basic services or amenities that obsessive-compulsive and phobic are often taken for granted by their non- disorders, suicidality and self-harm than queer peers. their heterosexual peers These data show that LGBTQ people are • Higher risk for problematic substance disadvantaged in many social, economic, use than the general population with family and community areas when some research suggesting that the use compared to the rest of the population of alcohol, tobacco and other substances and violence is directly related to that may be two to four times higher among experience of disadvantage and exclusion. LGBTQ people than heterosexual people 5 2 - 9 The Breaking the Silence on Hidden What happened Violence forum was organized into at the Forum? three parts: “ Today, I met a group who invited 1. Keynote address by Helen Kennedy, Executive Director, Egale Canada us to come as community, met us Human Rights Trust with dignity, listened, and made me believe they want to take action.” 2. Panel discussion with a question and discussions where a community is areas of concern: invited to present to a council or • Youth: Spencer Small, Therapeutic group and I feel good about it.” Counsellor, OK2BME Program – KW Counselling “ As an activist, it becomes a mantra: it will get better. It will change. We • Older Adults: Jim Parrott, President & Executive Director, Spectrum – can make it happen. Now I do believe A Rainbow Community Space • Transgender/Gender Variant ~ Forum Participant Individuals: D Morton, Member, Gender Variant Working Group n November 2014, members of the • LGBTQ Refugees Seeking Asylum I LGBTQ community, together with WRCPC in Waterloo Region: Keghani members and Friends of Crime Prevention, Mardikian, Clinical Counsellor, Carizon facilitated a community dialogue, Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence, to: 3. Facilitated table discussions and full • Discuss why violence against the group plenary transgender people, is an important issue for all people in Waterloo Region “ Never doubt that a small group • Explore possible opportunities to address of thoughtful, committed this concern citizens can change the world. • Vision next steps to support collaborative Indeed, it is the only thing that action ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead 6 2 - 10 within the queer community. Further, the What we heard during interplay between sexual orientation, the community dialogue gender identity, race, residency status and class, may further increase a person’s degree of vulnerability, limit their access equity and equality.” to a support network or decrease the likelihood that they will seek help. here was consensus among participants T that, while everyone is entitled to The marginalization, oppression, equity, freedom from discrimination, discrimination and violence experienced and psychological and physical at the community level by members of safety segments of the population in our by victimization experienced at a community and beyond. Members of the system and institutional level. It was LGBTQ community are at a heightened noted that ‘systems are slow to evolve’ degree of vulnerability and live in an and that a culture of ignorance and environment where being oneself and complacency exists where many people ‘out’ means they are a target and subject do not acknowledge the challenges and to marginalization, oppression, barriers faced by members of the LGBTQ discrimination and violence. community. Additionally, the dominant Consequently, many people suffer in discourse of silence because there are few safe spaces that honour and celebrate diversity and are designed and operated. All of these allow people to fully express their identity. dynamics have resulted in a lack of commitment to action and change. Participants noted that the marginalization, oppression, discrimination and violence Ignorance among people in power against members of the LGBTQ community was also noted as a major contributing represent a fundamental human rights factor that implies to the community issue that inhibits individuals from reaching that this discrimination is ‘OK’ and that their full potential. Sadly, this victimization denying equity for members of the LGBTQ is often hidden due to the fear of speaking community is acceptable. Any lack out and reporting because of stigma, of accountability at the systems level forced outing, re-victimization and systemic perpetuates the status quo. discrimination. Myths, stereotypes At subsequent follow up events, the and prejudice were also reported to be widespread at the community level, leading priorities for immediate next steps: to discrimination and violence. • Promote safety LGBTQ people not only experience • Build alliances victimization from outside the queer • Enhance community collaboration community, but are also subject to • Provide public education oppression and disempowerment from • Show strong leadership 7 2 - 11 To be accomplished via: Systems Level • Supporting existing LGBTQ friendly Mechanisms need to be established to structures hold systems accountable for their actions or inactions in closing the gap between • Collaboration and resource sharing rhetoric, policy and practice. • Securing funding for LGBTQ engagement efforts At the systems level, allies and champions need to: • Training about belonging and inclusion and how to be an ally for the LGBTQ Work together to close the gap between community rhetoric and actual practice and facilitate • Taking active steps to create safe spaces true institutional and organizational for further action and dialogue culture change, going beyond just ‘good enough’ To this end, participants formed a Breaking the Silence on Hidden Identify and challenge complacency Violence Working Group and decided to align it structurally with the newly formed Forge deliberate partnerships for i x Rainbow Community Council. interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. These partnerships need to shift services from being reactive to focusing on prevention and early “ One sees a disproportionately intervention in Waterloo Region. If this is a Community Level safe and inclusive community, By creating spaces for open and safe why is this so?” dialogue, we put a human face to the ~ Community Member issue of violence, we counter myths, stereotypes, and prejudice and support the unlearning of basic assumptions, promote understanding, and awareness of where Call to Action injustices have become normalized. hen it comes to violence, challenging At the community level, allies and W the status quo is critically important. champions need to: Some might think that because the goal of complete safety for everyone seems Uphold fundamental human rights and unattainable it is reasonable for some collectively illuminate injustice people in our community to be or feel Take an assertive stance to counter the unsafe. If that’s the case, then it is time to bystander effect be unreasonable. Confront fear and ignorance with Any shift in the status quo will be the result education and awareness and ensure of allies and champions actively working that the voice of acceptance is louder for change at the systems level (policy, than the voice of intolerance legislation), community level, and person to person interactions. 8 2 - 12 Actively involve members of the LGBTQ Practice how to stand up to homophobic community in these efforts and honour comments made by colleagues, friends their voiceor family Join the Breaking the Silence Working is also needed to: Group Promote unity within, promote safety Check whether your child’s recreation and better support members of the and social programs allow trans children community in speaking out. Fear or youth to participate according to their immobilizes and further makes the issue preferred gender of violence against the LGBTQ invisible. Provide at least one gender neutral bathroom at your workplace Individual Level Consider sharing this document Ways that individuals can take action with your MP or MPP, asking what for Breaking the Silence on Hidden commitments they are prepared to make Violence: to prevent hate crime and violence in our community Share this document with 5 people Become informed about LGBTQ realities Share this document through social media Let it be known that you are an ally and be a model for others Present this document to your Board, Municipal Council, faith community, or Become a member of an ally network. x school Visit LGBT Allies for more on becoming an ally. Consider endorsing this document as a way of making a commitment to change Tell us at wrcpc@regionofwaterloo.ca what you plan to do or have done so we Join the Rainbow Community Council can celebrate our community change (http://yourwrrc.ca/rainbow-community- towards a place that is safe for all people. council/) Examine & review your organization’s policies regarding LGBTQ inclusion. Engage a member of the LGBTQ community to assist. veryone is entitled to equity and safety. E Moving toward greater equality and Participate in a LGBTQ hosted event freedom from violence is dependent on allies and champions who lend their Learn about inclusive language and learn voices to counter injustice and honour the how and when to use the terms fundamental rights of all people. Change Commit to asking questions when you happens when we all take practical and don’t know and challenge your own substantive steps towards community assumptions transformation. 9 2 - 13 References i Hate crimes can be divided into two v WRRC Community Conversations: categories, hate incidents and hate Final Report (2011). Available at: crimes: Hate incidents are expressions http://yourwrrc.ca/wp-wrrcstuff/ of bias, prejudice and bigotry that are uploads/2013/11/WRRC-Final-Report- carried out by individuals, groups, Jan-2011.pdf organizations and states, directed against vi Hate Crime: RAP Sheet (2014). stigmatized and marginalized groups or Available at http://preventingcrime.ca/ wp-content/uploads/2014/08/RapSheet_ secure existing structures of domination HateCrimes0714v9.pdf and subordination. Hate crimes are hate incidents that are also criminal offences vii Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans People committed against a person or property and Mental Health. Available at: http:// and motivated, in whole or in part, by bias ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/lesbian- or prejudice based on real or perceived gay-bisexual-trans-people-and-mental- race, national or ethnic origin, language, health/ colour, religion, gender, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or any other similar factor. ix The Rainbow Community Council Report of the Hate Crimes Community (RCC) is an initiative of the WRRC Working Group to the Attorney General designed to bring together existing and the Minister of Community Safety and community organizations (allied with the Correctional Services (2006) Pp. 18-19. Rainbow community) to develop a truly Available at: http://www.attorneygeneral. community-wide, sustainable framework jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/ for supporting the Rainbow community hatecrimes/HCCWG_full.pdf as a whole. Member organisations in the RCC work collaboratively to support each ii Hate Crime: RAP Sheet (2014). other in such ways as addressing gaps in Available at http://preventingcrime.ca/ service provision; avoiding duplication of wp-content/uploads/2014/08/RapSheet_ services and resources; collaborating on HateCrimes0714v9.pdf grants/proposals; and other supportive and collaborative initiatives as they relate iii Egale Canada Human Rights Trust to the Rainbow community in Waterloo http://egale.ca/ Region. iv Addressing Hate Crimes in Ontario x Allies Show Their Colours brochure: (2006). Available at http://www. http://www.homophobie.org/wp-content/ attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/ uploads/2015/04/5843-DEP-EN-15.pdf about/pubs/hatecrimes/HCCWG_full.pdf 10 2 - 14 2 - 15