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Plenary I: From national to local: for a gendered
approach to crime prevention
Panelists:
Anne Michaud [A.M.]
Barbara Hall [B.H.]
Margaret Shaw [M.S.]
Soraya Smaoun [S.S.]
Question/Comment No. 1
[Ecuador] : Do you have experience in developing indicators
or measures of the causes and effects of violence in urban settings? What
are the known indicators? Are there differences in measures between men
and women? This information and these types of data would allow us to
develop more appropriate, targeted intervention strategies.
Reactions No. 1
[B.H.] : We have not undertaken work that has explicitly sought
to document and compare the different impacts of violence in urban settings
on men and women. However we do support projects that specifically target
women and girls. We know that certain factors can explain boys' violent
behaviours toward girls. For example, the Earl's Court projects
(Ontario, Canada) and another at the University of British Columbia,
have examined this question.
[M.S.] : Some research has been done in the United Kingdom, such as
the work of the group STACO, and in Canada the work of Cormack
in British Columbia. However in all this research, there is still controversy
around the measures and methodologies that are used to collect and document
the impacts of violence.
Question/Comment No. 2
[Chile] In Chile, we have particularly focussed on domestic
violence. Yet hearing what is being done elsewhere in the world, I believe
that we remain in the 1970's... The data we have collected reveal that
many women are subject to violence in the home, more than to violence
in public spheres. What links do you see between private and public violence?
... And how do you view the relationship between drug-related problems,
such as the grip of drug markets on cities and their strong influence
on fear and violence experienced by women?
Reactions No. 2
[B.H.] : In Canada, the work of many groups focuses
on children who have witnessed family violence in order to break the
very strong cycle of violence. For example, we know that the girls of
mothers who have been subjected to domestic violence are more susceptible
to becoming victims of violence themselves. Meanwhile, we also know
that boys who have witnessed family violence are more likely to use
violent behaviour as well. Witnessing family violence at a young
age is an important indicator of children, boys and girls, becoming
a victim or victimizer. It is necessary to offer new models of intervention
for children and youth in order to reduce the impact of this indicator.
For more information, see the web site of Canada's National Strategy
on Community Safety and Crime Prevention. [ http://www.prevention.gc.ca/index.html
]
[A.M.] : Violence against women can be seen as on a continuum from private
to public. Women's insecurity is a result of all of the forms of violence
on this continuum, whether committed by a man that is known or unknown
to them. For example, will a woman who is abused in her home feel safer
when she is on the street? Not really. The separation of private
and public violence is a false distinction to make. We must look at
the overall impact of all of these forms of violence on women's freedom
of movement, their feeling of safety, etc.
[S.S.] : Yes, it really is a matter of a continuum of violence. We
need to document this continuum by conducting both qualitative and quantitative
victimization surveys. Data collected will help us to better understand
women's realities and to respond better to the involved factors, both
in the private and public spheres.
Question/Comment No.
3
[Peru] : In Peru, the collection of data has allowed us to produce statistics
on violence against women, violence in general, and the gender differences
in the use and experience of violence. We have learned a lot from these
statistics that have been compiled. For example, we know that violence
has many forms and can affect different groups of women. Cultural factors,
such as living in a rural area or belonging to an ethno-cultural community,
play a large role in the degree to which violence is accepted and normalized.
A survey revealed the following elements: violence is increasing; violence
affects both poor and well-off women; women are increasingly denouncing
the violence that they are subjected to; women are often discouraged from
reporting their aggressors either because of fear of reprisal, or sanctions
imposed on aggressors are considered to be too light or minimal.
Reactions No. 3
[A.M.] : Did your study include questions exploring the impact of different
forms of violence on women's feeling of safety?
[Peru] : Our study focussed on violence against women in general however
we are in the process of developing indicators of safety.
[M.S.] : An international study of violence against women is actually
underway. This research aims to identify women's fear in relation to
their experience of crime. Part of conducting this research involved
designating a resource person to act as a process facilitator who would
accompany survey respondents throughout the process of describing and
identifying the violence they have experienced. This is an excellent
model. Furthermore, we can use statistics from a variety of sources.
In addition to information gathered by women themselves, we also compile
data from hospitals, women's shelters, health professionals, etc.
Question/Comment No.
4
[Workers' union, Montréal] : Knowing that women already encounter
problems in denouncing poor working conditions and sexual harassment,
how can we make large enterprises more sensitive to problems caused by
violence?
Reactions No. 4
[B.H.] : Whether they are clients or employees, women must talk about
violence. We must find means and mechanisms of reparation (compensation,
legal actions, etc.) against large enterprises that contribute to a
violent and unsafe work environment. For example, in the case of a property
owner of buildings which are poorly lit... We must be able to have
judicial recourse, education and awareness-building, as well as more
women on the administrative councils of large enterprises. All of
these things would certainly help a lot.
[A.M.] : In Québec, there is a "healthy and safe workplace"
law. We must try to integrate the issue of women's safety to it.
For example, through safety walks on Laurier street in Montreal, we
identified an automatic banking machine whose location was not very
safe for women to use. After sharing our concerns with them, the owners
installed a glass wall to improve visibility at the bank machine so
that passers-by could see what was going on inside. We also proposed
that the telephone used for bank transactions could be used by bank
clients in case of emergency. We must have more dialogue and partnerships
with private enterprise.
Question/Comment No.
5
[NGO, British Columbia, Canada] : Thank you for drawing attention to the
gap that exists between national strategies and local realities. We must
include women's and girls' security in Canada's National Strategy for
Community Safety and Crime Prevention... This inclusion could allow
local groups to have better access to funding. Presently, it is very difficult
to have a financial framework and support for our project in British Columbia...
Reaction No. 5
[M.S.] : The ICPC should integrate a gender approach into its mandate.
To the present, the organization has preferred to remain neutral
and to not focus on gender differences. It would certainly be much better
if a gender approach was integrated into the organization's mandate.
Question/Comment No.
6
[Costa Rica] : It is important to make the links. We will have a feminist
gathering in Costa Rica at the end of 2002 in order to integrate the diverse
types of violence towards women. We hope to integrate these concerns into
all public policies. It will make it much easier to obtain funding for
these types of projects, as well as to denounce political violence. My
question relates to the integration of the concept of "femicide",
a term to categorize and integrate the issue of gender into law. What
do you think of this word femicide (analogous to homicide)?
Reactions No. 6
[B.H.] : I'm thinking. I've never used this word.
[M.S.] : I have already used this word. It is useful for helping people
specifically recognize the murder of women; for example, the number
or women killed in general (fewer than men) and those murders that are
committed by people who are close or known to the female victim (more
likely than in cases where men are killed).
Question/Comment No. 7
[South Africa] : First off, I would like to commend the
Organizing Committee for having invited men to participate in decision-making
on issues that affect women. My question is on the traditional approaches
such as those used in South Africa. How have you been able to involve
traditional clan and community leaders and other traditional practices
and approaches of leadership into women's safety strategies?
Reaction No. 7
[A.M.] : This question will be addressed this afternoon
and tomorrow when we touch on the themes of empowerment and local leadership.
Question/Comment No. 8
[International Council of Women] : The number of elderly
people is increasing. Do you have data on violence and safety particularly
within elderly populations? I know that there is a program in Australia,
can you give more details?
Reactions No. 8
[B.H.] : Canadian data on elder abuse show that older
women do indeed experience violence at home, from a partner or institutional
care workers. We must work to inform older women of how they can reduce
their vulnerability to violence. We must also conduct further analysis
in order to better understand gender-specific problems and differences
for this age group. For example, we tell elderly women to hide their
hand bag, but we do not know if elderly men run a risk of being victimized
in similar ways.
[M.S.] : I recommend you consult the International Centre for the Prevention
of Crime's web site. [http://www.crime-prevention-intl.org]
Question/Comment No. 9
[City of San Salvador] : A recent earthquake has significantly
set back the local economy and has undermined all citizens' feeling of
safety. We know that 35% of women are household leaders and that they
were greatly affected by the earthquake. Poverty is becoming feminized.
We have created strategies for integrating women and encouraging their
participation in municipal development. We must make the links in order
to improve the quality of life and human development, however national
policies are not sensitive to municipal realities. We must now re-think
the links between public, social and economic policies, domestic and private
violence, and machismo. There are many obstacles when we attempt to work
at this level since our preoccupation for violence against women attacks
the very foundation of machismo in our society. We have to remember that
it is the rule of machismo itself that forces women to remain economically
dependent on men and continuously works against the denunciation of violence.
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