FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2015 (Ottawa, ON) Pauktuutit commends the RCMP for their ongoing commitment to addressing the issue of violence against indigenous women in Canada. ‘I thank the RCMP for taking our concerns seriously, and for noting the need to address family violence as a priority,’ said Rebecca Kudloo, President. ‘The RCMP report also underscores the need for more programs and services in our communities to fight the generational effects of residential schools and colonization as an important measure in reducing and preventing violence,’ Kudloo added.
The RCMP report released today is an update to their 2014 report. It only includes information gathered from its jurisdictions, and does not include census metropolitan areas that are covered by various police forces. However, the RCMP provides police services for the majority of Inuit communities in Inuit Nunangat, and is open to working with Pauktuutit to analyze their data further with a focus on the North. Pauktuutit will look forward to working with the RCMP to better understand the risks and rates of violence faced by Inuit women and children in communities without safe shelters.
Pauktuutit particularly notes the following conclusions of the report:
- Prevention efforts must focus on stopping violence in family relationships…and we are moving forward with many initiatives on this front;
- The RCMP, as one of many stakeholders, is committing to working in collaboration with Aboriginal communities, NGOs, social services, health professionals and governmental agencies to implement concrete initiatives that address the underlying root causes of the violence facing Aboriginal women and to find solutions to this tragic reality; and
- Canadians have a shared responsibility to address the health and welfare of all citizens, especially those who are the most vulnerable to violent victimization. A collective focus on healthy familial relationships and community wellbeing, including health care, social services, child protection, education and the administration of justice is needed.
Kudloo added ‘I would also like to thank Premier Taptuna for his commitment this week to action in addressing violence in our homes and communities. We had an opportunity to work with the Nunavut delegation to the National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in February this year, and we look forward to maintaining a close working relationship on this issue.’
Pauktuutit encourages all Inuit communities to talk to their local detachment about the RCMP’s Family Violence Initiative. Community non-profit organizations and hamlets may apply for up to $25,000 for projects intended to reduce family violence, and the RCMP will be happy to help with developing proposals. Projects may include:
- activities that aim to prevent high risk groups from re-offending;
- initiatives that foster crime prevention in Aboriginal communities;
- conferences, seminars, presentations or workshops that aim to prevent and promote public awareness about relationship and family violence;
- activities that assist victims of crime; or
- initiatives that promote law enforcement activities of the RCMP.
For more information about the Family Violence Initiative, please visit http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cp-pc/fam-eng.htmre.
To request an interview, please contact:
Tracy O’Hearn
613-238-3977/613-204-9599
tohearn@pauktuutit.ca