The missing and murdered women of Vancouver

12 posts / 0 new

Fri, 2010-08-27 12:41

Ripple

http://rabble.ca/news/2010/08/missing-and-murdered-women-vancouver-deser...

Quote:
I remember in 1999, as a federal MP, raising the issue at my first meeting with the then Attorney General of Canada Martin Cauchon. I asked him: "What would you do if you had 57 women who were missing and presumed murdered in your community? Well, that's what's happening in the Downtown Eastside."

He seemed taken aback, and I don't think he really knew anything about what should have been a national concern.

It's so shocking to me that if it was any other identifiable group, like nurses, or students from the University of British Columbia, there would have been a national outcry and a much different response.

Not only is a public inquiry necessary, we also need to have a community-led process that allows the families and the Downtown Eastside community deal with the loss and trauma and the impact on so many lives.

Issues Pages:

Feminism

Fri, 2010-08-27 15:51

writer

Thanks for bringing this here, Ripple.

Fri, 2010-08-27 16:06

NDPP

And what about the still circulating rumours about police attendance and participation in certain dark festivities at 'piggies' palace' on the Picton property?

Fri, 2010-08-27 16:32

Ripple

I have never heard that rumour.

It is documented, though, that a sex worker was attacked in 1997 and the crown did not proceed to trial because they didn't think she was credible.

http://www.straight.com/article-340498/vancouver/advocates-and-family-me...

Fri, 2010-08-27 16:58

remind

Systemic racism as it finest.

Fri, 2010-08-27 17:17

milo204

i think it's time someone launched a suit against the gov. for failure to "protect" it's citizens or find some other way to force them to hold an inquiry on this. They won't do it willingly.

either that or a citizens inquiry. The even larger problem here is not only the justice system, but that canadians seem to ignore these issues so there's very little pressure on the government to do anything about it.

Fri, 2010-08-27 17:40

mybabble

Rumors are abundant about police down on the pig farm and I guess it could be one of the reasons nothing was done who knows for certain as it is all speculation until someone has the opportunity who is qualified to make judgements about such conduct it will always be a rumor instead of fact. Rumor is the pig farmer was not alone down on the farm and had friends some bikers I read but the vpd and rcmp are also said to be present for the murders I have heard. Truth or fiction I can't say but if officers sat back when were paid to protect the public and did nothing when it was their job to make a difference says officer's in actions played a real part in the continued murders not something to look within a police force.

Fri, 2010-08-27 17:43

Ripple

Quote:
Systemic racism as it finest.

I thought for a while about where to post this - aboriginal issues? feminism? sex worker rights? I decided on national news, because it should be.

Tue, 2012-02-21 21:35

Ripple

Allegations of a police cover- up: http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/news/2012/02/20/missing-women-...

Tue, 2012-02-21 23:07

#10

Unionist

Thanks for updating this thread, Ripple. It's very hard but very necessary to read.

Tue, 2012-02-21 23:13

#11

Fidel

[url=http://www.ndp.ca/press/ndp-applauds-investigation-on-violence-against-a... applauds investigation on violence against Aboriginal women[/url]

MPs send letter inviting UN Committee investigating violence to visit affected communities

Quote:
OTTAWA - Alarmed by the growing number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada, fifty-three New Democrat MPs sent a letter of support to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which has opened an inquiry on the issue.

Deploring the Conservative government's inaction on the file, the signatories applauded the Committee for establishing clear objectives to investigate violence against First Nations, Inuit and Métis women. "We encourage the Government of Canada to fully cooperate with the Committee," their letter said. "We must act now."

The letter was co-written by NDP Leader Nycole Turmel, Status of Women Critic Françoise Boivin, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Critic Linda Duncan. Fifty New Democrat colleagues added their signatures to the letter.

Thu, 2012-03-08 11:20

#12

Ripple

[url=http://rabble.ca/news/2012/03/independent-counsel-resigns-missing-women-... counsel resigns from Missing Women Commission of Inquiry[/color][/url]

Quote:
The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) learned this week of the resignation of Ms. Robyn Gervais from the position of Independent Counsel for the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry to represent "the perspectives of Aboriginal women." Her withdrawal confirms our concerns and observations about the failures of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry process. Amongst her reasons for withdrawal, Ms. Gervais cited the delay in calling Aboriginal witnesses, the failure to provide adequate hearing time for Aboriginal panels, the lack of ongoing support from the Aboriginal community, and the disproportionate focus on police evidence at the Inquiry.