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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-31-94Subject: REZONING APPLICATION - ROBERT PINHEIRO ON BEHALF OF BETHESDA HOUSE OF MERCY PART LOT 11, CONCESSION 11 FORMER TOWN OF BOWMANVILLE FILE: DEV 94 -006 Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD -31 -94 be received; 2. THAT application to amend the Comprehensive zoning By -law 84 -63 of the former Town of Newcastle, as amended, submitted by Robert Pinheiro on behalf of Bethesda House of Mercy, be referred back to Staff for further processing and the preparation of a subsequent report upon receipt of all outstanding comments; and 3. THAT the Durham Region Planning Department, and all interested parties listed in this report and any delegation be advised of Council's decision. 1. APPLICATION DETAILS 1.1 Applicant: Robert Pinheiro on behalf of Bethesda House of Mercy 1.2 Owner: Dale Clark 1.3 Rezoning: From Urban Residential Exception (R1 -12) to a zone appropriate to permit a crisis care centre 1.4 Area: 552 square metres 2. LOCATION 2.1 The subject property is located in Part of Lot 11, Concession 1, former Town of Bowmanville. The municipal address of the property is 11 Ontario Street. The lands are situated at the north -east corner of Church and Ontario Streets. BE PAGER ° YCLE T Si PRIMEDW REGYCLED PAPER REPORT NO.: PD -31 -94 PAGE 2 3. BACKGROUND 3.1 On February 7, 1994 an application was received by the Planning Department to amend the zoning of 11 Ontario Street to permit a crisis care centre. This crisis care centre is non - denominational and non - profit, offering lodging and support for abused women and their offspring. 4. BACKGROUND 4.1 Existing Uses: Single dwelling unit 4.2 Surrounding Uses: East - existing residential West - existing residential South - existing residential North - existing residential 5. OFFICIAL PLAN POLICIES 5.1 Within the Official Plan for the former Town of Newcastle, the subject property is designated Low Density Residential in the Main Central Area. As this is a residential use, the application is deemed to conform with the policies of the Official Plan. 6. ZONING BY -LAW PROVISIONS 6.1 The lands are currently zoned Urban Residential Exception (R1 -12) which permits single dwelling units, semi - detached units, duplex dwellings, and converted dwellings. The applicant has applied to permit the establishment of a crisis care centre offering support and lodging for abused women and their offspring. As this is not a permitted use in this zone, an amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning By -law is required. 7. PUBLIC MEETING AND SUBMISSION 7.1 Pursuant to Council's Resolution of July 26, 1982 and the requirements of the Planning Act the appropriate signage acknowledging the application was installed on the subject lands. In addition, the appropriate notice was mailed to each landowner within the prescribed distance. REPORT NO.: PD -31 -94 PAGE 3 7.2 A few residents have telephoned the Planning Department requesting clarification and further information on the application. One resident noted that there currently exists a number of care facilities located in the area, specifically on Church Street such as Careview Manor and the Adams. This resident believed that if this application is approved, the concentration of these types of facilities in this area would be increased to unacceptable levels. He also had concerns with traffic congestion and security. S. AGENCY COMMENTS 8.1 In accordance with departmental procedures, the application was circulated to obtain comments from other departments and agencies. The following departments /agencies in providing comments, offered no objection to the application as filed: • Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department • Municipality of Clarington Fire Department 8.2 Comments have yet to be received from the Municipality of Clarington Public Works Department, Durham Region Planning Department, and Clarington Hydro Electric Commission. 9. STAFF COMMENTS 9.1 The applicant has advised the Planning Department that accommodations are available for four (4) women and their offspring, to a maximum of twelve (12) people. They expect the average stay will range between fifteen (15) days and twenty -eight (28) days. The applicant has also advised the Planning Department that there will always be an employee present at the house. 9.2 The proposed rezoning is currently in circulation to obtain comments from other agencies. Their comments as well as the comments from public will be considered and addressed in the subsequent report. REPORT NO.: PD -31 -94 PAGE 4 10. CONCLUSION 10.1 The purpose of this report is to facilitate the Public Meeting as required by the Planning Act, to provide Committee and Council with some background on the application submitted and for Staff to indicate issues or areas of concern regarding the subject application. It is recommended the application be referred back to Staff for further processing and subsequent report upon receipt of all outstanding comments. Respectfully submitted, Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P. Director of Planning and Development HR *FW *df Attachment #1 - Key Map 11 March 1994 Reviewed by, W.H. Stockwell G Chief Administrative Officer Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision: Robert Pinheiro 1 Luverme Court Bowmanville, Ontario. L1C 4C9 Dale Clark 11 Ontario Street Bowmanville, Ontario. L1C 2R9 Peter Kowal 52 King Street West Bowmanville, Ontario. L1C 1R4 D. ATTACHMENT #.l SUBJECT SITE LOT 12 LOT I I LOT 10 CONCESSION STREET I V CONCESSION 1 ---STREET •-��W � -� i ti , I zi , a w I AU 1 < <��? R4 -1 e (vv I N �, R�• R/ /2 LOWE T I I'— C2 R1 TRUDEAU DRIVE v y y 5 AqLIlERTl I BWa E C% X7:,2 / 'Pi/ H)R � , ♦ C!. �Q y `� W iPLACE Rl CARLISLE AV E. CIO Rl- /? RI-35 r % I R3 Z ii R1 `�� '� �� R' o gFFr / /2 RI-24 P`'? '` �/y I V i INURCN T cl R/ Cl ' 0 R rui s r m I -6 F ° Cl W C1 w Cl I t CI C7 0 QUEEN ST. N U RI-5 w Rl -5 z C 4 i I �NPM 5 PRINCE STREET d� R1 -21 1 ( 1 ?t JANE R 1 .54 I inn I. BOWMANVILt -E 0 KEY MAP 50m 100 200 300m I but 516 March 8, 1994 Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3A6 Dear Mayor and Members of Council: Re: Proposed zoning by -law amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act As concerned neighbours, we are writing with respect to the proposed zoning by -law amendment which would change the zone category located at 11 Ontario Street from Urban Residential Exception to a zone appropriate to permit a crisis care centre for women and children. If the applicants can establish the need for such a facility in Bowmanville, we suggest to Council that great care be taken in choosing an appropriate location for such a centre within the Municipality of Clarington. Consideration needs to be given to the permanent tax paying residents in this specific area due to the existing zoning exceptions for residential care facilities. Under Section 2(Definitions) of the existing Zoning By -Law 84 -63 Town of Newcastle, a definition of a Group Home..... "Group Homes shall be licensed and /or approved under provincial statutes and shall not be permitted to locate within 300 metres of another group home." Presently, within a very small area, we now have two psychiatric outpatient care facilities on Church Street just west of 11 Ontario Street. We also have a property zoned to operate as a group home on Lover's Lane, just north of Ontario Street. This specific neighbourhood is doing its part and already has enough specialized residential premises. As a group we are concerned about the potential problems we are inviting into our close neighbourhood. Fears of violence, abusive language, inappropriate behaviour, rowdiness or disturbances abound. Our neighbourhood's capacity to accommodate persons with special needs is being over extended. NAME ADDRESS 64 C4 AJ -/7c rl NAME ADDRESS 141,9 / �o��� -tu, MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 612 01-111111, onhu•io L3V 61(_5 March 9, 1994 Kelly Pinheiro Bethesda House 2 Luverme Court Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 4C9 Dear Kelly; /-. ) - 3 /- `/ el -- l , ADMINISTRATION (705) 327 -7383 FAX (705) 3274):`12 OUTREACH SERVICES Tel: (70 5) 329 -28(Xi Fax: (705):129-10138 In response to our earlier telephone conversation, please accept my best wishes on your project. Responding to the overwhelming evidence of violence against women in our society is a huge task. The need for a safe place for women who, through no fault of their own, need to flee their homes due to abuse is becoming more evident in every corntnutnity. Our shelter opened in October 1991 and the overall occupancy rate has been an annual average of 85 %. Over 250 women have requested residential services and almost 2000 women have contacted our crisis line. `Jur com-nunity has been cry supportive of cur efforts and continue to contribute and offer their help in areas of volunteering, donations of goods and money, and family sponsorships at Christmas. One of our neighbours has taken his good neighbour policy to the point that he offers to check the backyard if he sees someone go over the fence and contacts us occasionally to see how we are. Although initially some of our immediate neighbours were unsure of how the shelter would impact on their lives and homes, they were very receptive to discussing their concerns with us and we made every effort to consider their issues and resolve them to everyone's satisfaction. We have not had an issue with an intruder affecting the neighbours or putting them at any risk. We have developed a supportive relationship with our local police services and they make every effort to respond quickly to our calls. Our front entrance is monitored by video camera and there is no outside handle on the front door. An intercom system monitors all requests, to enter the building and persons not having actual business at the shelter are requested to leave. Just this physical appearance has been sufficient to deter unwanted visitors. ,„2 1-1 71 n 'KIN V sa " ,r " ,n 9w0 Please feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss any of our services or the actual shelter cnvirotunent and good luck with your project. Sincerely, A( A�J-Co h Liz Westcott Executive Director Green Haven... opening doors for Wornen MARCH 15, 1994 MADAM CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE: I AM WRITING THIS LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE ALLIANCE HOUSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF WOMEN ABUSE. WE WISH TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS REGARDING THE BETHESDA HOUSE OF MERCY. THE MEMBERS OF ALLIANCE HOUSE ARE: ANNE POSTILLE, BOARD OF EDUCATION, VALERIE MUTTON, LAWYER, SHIRLEY MCLEAN, NURSE, BILL JAINE, MARKETING REP., FAYE JONES, HOMEMAKER, ROB EVANS, TEACHER, SANDRA MCORMACK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - DENISE HOUSE, FRANCINE MUTTON COORDINATOR - RFSO SOS FEMME DURHAM, JOAN WINDOVER, COUNSELLOR DENISE HOUSE, BARD HICKS, ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE AND BPBW, NANCY MCCABE, CONSULTANT, FRANCINE TARDIF-NlCHOLAS, CONSULTANT AND CHAIRPERSON OF ALLIANCE HOUSE. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE MEMBERS OF ALLIANCE HOUSE ARE, AT THIS POINT, CONFUSED, CONCERNED AND VERY SURPRISED TO LEARN SUDDENLY THAT ANOTHER GROUP IN OUR COMMUNITY HAD BEEN ORGANIZED TO ESTABLISH A SHELTER FOR ABUSED WOMEN. ALLIANCE HOUSE HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY ON A SIMILAR PROJECT, VERY PUBLICLY, FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT ALLIANCE HOUSE HAD NEVER BEEN CONTACTED; I AM CERTAIN WE COULD HAVE COMBINED OUR EFFORTS TO THIS WORTHWHILE PROJECT. TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF OUR CONFUSION, ALLIANCE HOUSE IN RESPECT TO OUR SUPPORTERS, WILL ASK 8ETHESDA HOUSE OF MERCY TO EXPLAIN THEIR SECRECY. SECONDLY, TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN WE MUST HAVE A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE DYNAMICS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN ABUSE. A SHELTER IS NOT ENOUGH; THE SERVICE PROVIDER MUST BE NON-JUDGMENTAL, WOMEN-POSITIVE AND ABLE TO OFFER ACCOUNTABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, CHOICE, EQUALITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCES. AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN THAT OUR CONCERNS ARE NOT BIASED IN ANY WAY, BUT ARE GENUINE. AS A SURVIVOR OF ELEVEN YEARS OF ABUSE AND AN ATTEMPTED MURDER BY MY EX-HUSBAND, I HAVE WITH MY COLLEAGUES, EDUCATED MYSELF AND ACQUIRED GREAT KNOWLEDGE ON THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN MANY CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS, ORGANIZED AND PARTICIPATED IN FORUMS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO PROFESSIONALS AND HIGH SCHOOLS. "Together we can be stronger. " PAGE 2 BETHE5DA HOUSE OF MERCY IS A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZED AND PRIVATELY FUNDED SHELTER; THEREFORE IT WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. TO HELP EXPLAIN OUR CONCERNS I HAVE INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER A COPY OF THE CHURCH SECTION FROM "CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE: ACHIEVING EQUALITY, THE FINAL REPORT - THE CANADIAN PANEL ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN" (1993,) IN CONCLUSION, WHOM EVER OPERATES A SHELTER IS NOT RELEVANT; WOMEN AND CHILDREN ABUSE IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS A SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND CHILDREN. WE FEEL WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND TO THE COMMUNITY TO REQUIRE 8ETHESDA HOUSE TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS IN WRITING BEFORE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. WHEN OUR CONCERNS HAVE BEEN FULLY ADDRESSED, THE MEMBERS OF ALLIANCE HOUSE WILL SUPPORT FULLY THE BETHESDA HOUSE OF MERCY AND ALSO WORK COOPERATIVELY IF REQUESTED. RESPECTFULLY" Ja, (- 'A v FRANCINE TARDIF-NICHOLAS ON BEHALF OF THE ALLIANCE HOUSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF ABUSE (WHO HAVE REQUESTED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS FOR SAFETY) It r: ? r c r u u s 1 x I' r T i' T r u N S Int rod emcdd®n In Canada, the predominant religious ideology has been Christian. The teachings of Christianity have greatly influenced our lives, directed our sexuality and left indelible marks on all aspects of our existence, even to the point of directing legal codes and many social conventions. Today, a diversity of other religions are also practised in Canada including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. These faiths are an omnipresent and powerful force affecting all of us whether or not we follow the religious teachings. Religious institutions have a long history of domination, control, and exploitation of women. Through theological teachings and by example, these institutions maintain and reinforce the belief that women are inferior to men and suited primarily to a domestic role. Many religions also attempt to control women's sexuality, reproductive rights and sexual orientation. In the name of religion, women have been diminished, enslaved, reduced to silence and relegated to the sidelines of progress and development. Patriarchal instruction within religious institutions has encouraged and excused, both actively and passively, male violence against women in the home, in society and in the religious institutions them- selves. Strict rules of blind obedience to men and to religious teachings, posited as divine orders, have supported a dangerous power imbalance between women and men. Religious practices, rites, celebra- tions, language and symbolism all contribute to women's personal, political and social devaluation. 87 Very often women who have suffered male violence turn to religious advisors as their first and sometimes only confidante. They have been taught to acknowledge them as counsellors and spiritual guides who can ease pain, offer encouragement and intercede on their behalf with the Supreme Being. Women have trusted them. However, many women are now questioning the excessive influence of religious figures in matters of violence. They realize that predominantly male religious leaders do not understand the experience of violence against women nor its roots. Through lack of knowledge these leaders continue to provide women with dangerous direction that compromises their safety, leads to further revictimization and supports the tolerance of violence against them. This happens every time a woman is told to return to an abusive man. Women have formed groups within religious structures to work toward the transformation of the institution into an egalitarian organization. Some women have becorne theologians, have studied the sacred books and have found alternative interpretations of words and laws that support equality of women. Increasingly, women are demanding an equal role with men, to be present on all decision - making bodies, to participate fully in the formulation of moral discourse and to be recognized as theologians in a true partnership. For some religions, women provide both the membership numbers and the support needed to sustain these institutions. Women have a right to practice religion in an equal and safe atmosphere. Religious teachings and structures must be re- evaluated and altered to eliminate sexist and misogynist principles and practices. It r: r, i c r u c s I N s 'r r 'r u r r u N s R.7 Provide training to all staff on women's inequality and its linkages to violence against women. R.8 Remove from office or terminate the employment of any abusive spiritual leader, volunteer or staff member. Programs /Services /Practices R.9 Review all basic materials, training programs, videos and texts used for religious and relationship instruction to eliminate sexist, racist and homophobic images and messages. R.10 Present discussion groups, workshops and seminars on violence against women. Include the linkages between inequality and violence. Research and Evaluation R.I 5 Together with the women's cormriittees, evaluate each activity for progress toward achieving women's equality and ending violence. R.16 Finance research activities by women who seek equality and are knowledgeable on violence against women to determine the prevalence and nature of this violence within the institution. Accountability R.17 R.I I Acknowledge and recognize the competence of feminist theologians and women members by incorporating the discourse of women into religious instruction. R.18 R.12 In meetings with youth, emphasize equality of women and make it clear that the religious institution does riot tolerate violence against women. Co- ordination: R.1 3 Appoint women's committees at all levels within the organization to co- ordinate actions on promoting equality and ending violence. Include feminist theologians, lay members of women's religious communities, volunteers from local communities and women working against violence. R.14 Link prevention strategies with the wider secular community to remain current on resources and expertise. 89 Recognize that all abusers within the institution must withdraw from community service and no longer hold positions of trust and authority. Any board of inquiry on the conduct- of a religious leader must include representatives of the women's committees. All decisions of such an inquiry must be made public. Make all teaching materials used within the institution available to all community members. R.19 Have the women's committees review all teachings to ensure the consistency of messages about women. R.20 Recognize the injury to Aboriginal and Inuit people through the residential schools and make financial restitution to cover the costs of healing. R.21 Recognize and respect the reclaiming 6 of Aboriginal and Inuit spirituality by Aboriginal and Inuit peoples. G u v r, It N .Nt t: n r n IMMM 1111117TY'UnTrITTIMT . The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees equality to women, including the right to security of the person and equal benefit and protection of the law. All governments in Canada have the responsibility to assure these rights and the obligation to provide leadership to all others in Canada to uphold women's equality and safety. Throughout our consultations it was impressed upon us that governments in Canada, at all levels, are failing to live up to these responsibilities. Key Problems: Government analysis does not recognize the full scope of woman abuse nor adequately link violence against women to women's unequal status in Canadian society. The absence of a strong equality framework has retarded progress towards full equality for women. Women have had too little participation in the workings of government, as elected officials, in senior policy positions and as key implementors, Policy consultation with women is relatively new — initiated only in the last two decades. It is often cursory in nature, is not representative of the diversity of women, and is carried out only when women's stake in the outcome is very apparent. There is still little understanding that all laws, policies and programs, regardless of the subject, have impacts on women as well as men. Government analysis is often gender neutral. Policies grounded in research that does not take into account the differential impacts of gender, race, class and abilities will persistently fail the needs of all women. 91 Governments' actions on violence against women often cast anti- violence initiatives in terms of "family violence ". As pointed out in Part I, defining violence against women in such terms, obscures the facts that the violence within families is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women, and it shares a common denorninator of abuse of power with woman abuse in other settings. A "family violence" perspective ignores much violence against women outside the family, leads to gender - neutral analysis, and often places the focus on the family, rather than on the victim of violence. In rhetoric, governments have recognized that violence against women is a crime. However, policies and programs to deal with crime do not adequately reflect the criminal nature of woman abuse nor the size and nature of the problem. Often responses to sexual abuse including pornography are based on child protection, and ignore the harm done to women. Woman abuse crosses all jurisdictional boundaries, yet the division of powers within Canada makes effective response difficult. One of the largest sources of frustration reported during the Panel's consultations was the lack of clarity about jurisdictional responsibility and lack of co- ordination among jurisdictions in dealing with violence against women. Repeatedly we heard that jurisdictional disputes have blocked action that was urgently required. Government policies and practices are often sexist, racist and heterosexist and do not adequately take into account differences based on class, ability, age or geographic location. G O V r: It N .V r; N T 5 G.2 Implement a zero tolerance contract compliance program whereby any organization which receives a government contract, grant or funding of $100,000 or more must agree to put in place zero tolerance processes and practices to support women's equality and safety within the recipient organization and through its substantive work. Details: • The $100,000 criterion must be seen as a starting point with the long -term objective to have all organizations that have a fiscal relationship with government incorporate zero tolerance into their structures and work. • Governments must set up the mechanisms and provide the resources to administer, provide support and monitor the compliance program. Governments must devise a means to monitor the compliance of affected organizations. New .t. F. : o n r. for Aboriginal and Inudt Governments G.3 Adopt and fully implement the Zero Tolerance Policy and in partnership with Aboriginal and Inuit women's associations establish accountability mechanisms that will facilitate and monitor implementation of the Zero Tolerance Policy. 93 Zero Vollerance Actions Specifically Government GA Provide financial and other resources to Aboriginal and Inuit women's a organizations to ensure the full participation of Aboriginal and Inuit women at all stages of negotiation, development and implementation of self- government. G.5 Eliminate continuing discrimination under Bill C -31, so that Aboriginal women and their children are no longer deprived of their heritage. G.G Create proactive programs to increase significantly the number of adult $ i u Aboriginal and Inuit women participating in post - secondary education and vocational training programs. G.T Enhance educational assistance �, provided by Indian and Northern .Affairs Canada to extend additional I1, support to Aboriginal women, FUUU�I�U1 especially for single mothers. G.8 Make educational grants available to 0), PWetis and non- status women. G.9 Fund an Aboriginal and Inuit women's office to receive and co- ordinate the distribution of government funds provided to Aboriginal communities to deal with violence against Aboriginal and Inuit women; to act as a clearing house for information on violence against women; and to provide assistance to women working in communities in developing programs and services. G o v r; It n Al s n T S G.18 Create guidelines for the establishment ZeVO TOROPance Actdons of any future inquiries, task forces, or speedfilcalloy for Hunticilpall aul d commissions. 1111eadonal Governments Details: The proposed mandate, rules and operating procedures of any commission of inquiry or panel similar to the Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women must be outlined as clearly as Possible before such a body is established. Mechanisms must be introduced to enable future members of such bodies to contact each other and exchange views on the nature of their duties and mandate before they are officially appointed. Mechanisms must be established to enable such members to assume responsibility for the refinement of their mandate and they must be given the time and opportunity to examine and negotiate its terms and conditions before they take up their duties. • New mechanisms for consultations between the federal government and women's groups in Canada, based on a vision of social change, must be established as soon as possible. Mechanisms must be developed which would guarantee better representation of all population groups in Canada in projects similar to this Panel. 95 G.19 Implement an urban safety program that makes women's safety a priority at the municipal level. Details: • Design all public and semi - public spaces such as parks, streets and municipal properties to reduce opportunity for assaults on women. Use municipal by -laws to regulate display of sexually violent material. Develop community safety initiatives such as Safe City Committees which place a high priority on ending violence against women. Zero Tolerance Actdons for ord final and Inudt Governments G.20 Develop an Aboriginal Charter of �llt�'. Rights with the full participation of Aboriginal and Inuit women's associations. Until such time as the Charter is developed and implemented, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is to apply as a minimum protection for Aboriginal and Inuit women and children. G.21 Reform the political structures of all Aboriginal organizations at all levels so iA they are truly representative and fully accountable to Aboriginal women. G.22 Establish a gender - equity employment �j program to equalize participation of �d 8 Aboriginal and Inuit women. March 17,1994 Re: Bethesda House of Mercy Proposal Members of the Bowmanville Business and Professional Women's Club discussed this proposal at our general meeting this evening and passed the following resolution: Whereas the Business and Professional Women's Club of Bowmanville has a long - standing and deeply felt interest in the issue of violence against women, and Whereas our club has supported, from their beginnings, The Denise House in Oshawa and the efforts of the Alliance House Committee to establish a Bowmanville shelter for women in crisis in the Municipality of Clarington, therefore; Be it resolved that: Francine Nicholas of the Alliance House Committee be requested to read the following comments to Council during her delegation period at the March 21,1994 meeting. Carried Unanimously This proposal for a privately financed and operated shelter for women and their children who have suffered violence in their home has taken the community by surprise and is obviously well-intentioned. While we are pleased that the problem is recognized by a religious group, we must question whether the proponents of Bethesda House of Mercy have a deep understanding of the problem and of accepted standards of service delivery to victims of family abuse. ■ Protection and security of the women and children must be paramount. We wonder how a well- publicized location, with no property and a minimal operating budget to hire professional staff can maintain the necessary secrecy and security for terrorized people under siege by an enraged abuser. ■ Women who have suffered violence must regain their self - esteem. We feel that the very name "Bethesda House of Mercy" takes dignity away from women who are already victims. To recover, abused women must take power over their lives. ■ Women and other groups providing such services do not seem to have been consulted. Women victims of violence should have an integral part in helping others in the same situation. Women and women's groups throughout the community should have been consulted prior to the purchase of a property. Other shelters in this area have not been involved in planning this project. Without participation in a network of women's crisis services, handling emergencies will be very difficult. Emergencies occur when the facility is full or when a woman must be sheltered outside her immediate community for her own and her children's safety. ■ As a privately operated shelter, who will regulate the service provided? Without government standards of service and training will the municipality be required to ensure the proper operation of the facility, or will the facility operate in secrecy? ■ The proposed property is too small and there is no room for expansion. If this proposal goes ahead, a small number of women victims of violence will be served. This property can only accommodate four women and an undetermined number of children. We know that the problem is much larger than a 3 bedroom house can handle. We fear that once this facility is established, the community and our governments will feel that the family violence problem in Clarington is solved. An opportunity for a community- based, comprehensive program against family violence will be lost. ■ The proposed property offers no handicapped access and no secured, protected parking and building access. There is no secured (or securable) yard for the use of children. ■ Counselling and care should be provided on a non - religious basis. The Bethesda House of Mercy would be operated by a religiously based group. All women need to feel welcome in a non-judgemental, safe haven and some may shy away from a religiously -based shelter. In closing we wish to stress that we are pleased that a community group has taken the major issue of family violence seriously enough to propose immediate action. We believe that a women's shelter should grow out of the total community's commitment to tackle this problem. There is no reason that Bethesda House could not succeed with community consultation and involvement, but there must be a step backwards to a co- operative approach to finding and planning a facility to meet the needs of Clarington's women. Please consider the enclosed excerpts from the Framework for Services for Abused Women, Ottawa - Carleton in your evaluation of this proposal. Sincerely, Roxann Baines President (On behalf of 25 club members) Framework THE FRAMEWORK A Model For Services For Abused Women Statement of the Problem Abuse against women by male /female partners or ex- partners is a complex issue. It is accepted that there are several discrete but related forms of victimization within the family including: wife assault, rape, child abuse, sexual abuse ofchildren, lesbian battering and abuse of the elderly, disabled and infirm. The distinctive thread running through these categories is that abuse occurs between intimates; people who know, depend upon and have deep emotional ties to one another. Physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial abuse are the forms of violence used to threaten the integrity, safety and well -being of victims. Abuse against women and children is a social problem that transcends all class, cultural and ethnic boundaries. Traditionally the family unit has been viewed as a nurturing, protective haven. In the last twenty years this perception has been shattered. In its place the structure of the family and the structure of the traditional intimate relationship have been identified as contexts that support and even contribute to the belief that it is acceptable to use force to maintain the status quo. The attitudes that support the belief that the head of the household should have power over those living with him is being increasingly challenged in the public forum. In Canada, the historical context within which violence in the family has developed is that of male domination within and outside the family. Patriarchal institutions and social structures accept that relationships shaped by power differentials (dominant/dominated) are essential to maintain social order Relationships based on an imbalance of power appear to account for violence against women by men, children by adults, of elderly persons by younger people, minority groups by the majority and of one class by another and so on. Framework for Services for Abused Women, Ottawa - Carleton Framework Violence in intimate relationships and in the family is the exercise of power to control through fear the thoughts and actions of the less powerful individuals - primarily women and children. Thus the source of the problem lies within the person who abuses and the traditions and institutions that m ain a.in abuse, Efforts to date to assist women survivors of abuse have of necessity focussed primarily on crisis responses. Holding perpetrators (men) accountable for their abusive behaviours and developing emergency shelter and crisis protection and support services for survivors has consumed most of the human and financial resources. The most significant learning from all of our experience is that providing services to survivors will never be enough to end the violence. A fundamental social change must take place in Canadian society that makes abusing women and children unacceptable behaviour in practice as well as theory. All services which are funded to help women and children pick up the pieces of their battered lives must as part of their work be actively involved in this process of social change aimed at devising and implement; n cr cv,-+ow,;„ --- -I! - - Framework .Basic Beliefs Underlying Services for Abused Women • It is a basic human right for all individuals to live their lives in a non - violent environment. `�• Understanding and naming the issues of power and control are fundamental to the task of ending violence against women and children. • The service network must address the issue of violence at both the individual and the systemic level in order to create a non - violent community. • Psychological, emotional, sexual, physical and financial abuse against women are major social and health problems. Women should have access to appropriate help for all forms of abuse. • Violence against women is not a private family matter but is a criminal offence which demands that perpetrators, not their victims, be held responsible for the violence. , • Women who have additional needs due to age, language, culture, disability, poverty, geographical location or lesbian lifestyle require services that are sensitive to and reflect these needs. • Children who witness their mothers being abused are victims of abuse. Advocating for and ensuring the development of appropriate services for these children is essential to meeting their needs and the needs of their mothers. • Women can take control of the personal aspects of their lives provided they are given true choices, accurate information and the opportunity to be equal partners in all aspects of society. • A co- ordinated comprehensive community approach to service delivery is essential to create the choices and to meet the many needs of abused women and children. • Ending violence in the family is everybody's responsibility. Governments, business,voluntary groups, institutions and service providers must be involved in public education and activities which contribute to social change. • Women survivors of violence are essential partners in the work of service development, public education and social change. • Services which are helpful to abused women and their children must be accountable to the women who use the service and the staff, the volunteers and the community.