Feminist Research Education Development and Action Centre Reports Index

The FREDA Centre for Research on Violence against Women and Children Organizing against Violence: An Anti-Racist & Anti-Sexist Perspective Yasmin Jiwani, Ph.D. November 1997 The recent and tragic massacre of the Gakhal and Saran families in Vernon, BC, brought to the forefront, once again, the horror of violence against women and children. It also signified how societal systems fail to protect women from abusive partners. What marked the Vernon massacre from the daily acts of violence against women and children, was its premeditated nature and the fact that the murderer ruthlessly shot an entire family. Two aspects of the Vernon massacre captured the media's attention: The cultural background of the victims, and the magnitude and suddenness of the event. These factors provide one possible explanation as to why the media has not, so far, paid attention to the systematic murders of women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. More than 118 women have been killed in this area over the last four years. Nor has the media focused attention on the endemic nature of violence in Canadian society. As recent statistics note, a woman is assaulted every 17 minutes, and more than 120 women are killed every year by their partners and ex-partners. The framing of the Vernon massacre as an ethnic phenomenon and the media's attitude of blaming the victim, Rajwar Gakhal for not pressing charges, greatly disturbed South Asian women. This combined with the blatant failure of the RCMP to enforce the Attorney General's policy on violence against women in intimate relationships, galvanized the formation of a coalition. The Coalition of South Asian Women Against Violence included South Asian women's groups, as well as South Asian women from allied feminist organizations. In particular, the coalition was composed of the India Mahila Association (IMA), the South Asian Women's Centre, the Indo-Canadian Women's Association, the Punjabi Women's Association and representatives from the Vancouver Status of Women (VSW), Surrey Delta Immigrant Services Society, Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW), and the Feminist Research, Education, Development and Action Centre (FREDA), among others. This is not the first time that the coalition has come together. In 1993, the coalition was brought together to counter the sexist and racist stereotyping of the South Asian community. In that instance, the coalition was opposed to the media's portrayal of the South Asian community as the only community which favoured male children and which used sex selection technology, a technology deliberated targeted toward the community by Dr. Stephens. Steps in Organizing The Coalition first organized a meeting. Women from the community and supporting organizations came together to share information about the massacre. It was critical that everyone participating in the meeting knew the whole story as media accounts tended to lack details. A strategy for action was developed. The aim was to debunk media stereotyping of the massacre as being somehow linked to culture. More importantly, we wanted to express our collective grief. As a result, the Coalition undertook to organize two events - the first being a vigil to commemorate those who had died as a result of this violent incident, and the second, a press conference. This would provide us with an avenue whereby we could articulate our opposition to the cultural framing of the massacre, and draw attention to the RCMP's failure to enforce policy. We then formed two separate committees, each was entrusted with organizing the events. Both committees were very clear on what they wanted to achieve. With volunteers, the committees worked, sometimes around the clock, to publicize and organize the events. Both committees counted on the support they received from feminist and women's organizations. The Media Angle In Understanding News, John Hartley makes the point that timing is crucial if an issue is to get media attention. The massacre occurred over the Easter weekend. Our Coalition formed on Monday. In the interim, the media were busy looking for accredited sources they could interview and sources who would present another side to the issue. As a result, when we called the press conference, most media organizations we had contacted attended the event. In organizing both the press conference and the vigil, it was important for us as members of the Coalition to have the explicit support of our sister organizations. We wanted to make it clear that the massacre was not just a South Asian issue. It was a tragedy that affected everyone, just as violence against women affects everyone in society. Consequently, representatives from organizations such as WAVAW, Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS), the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC), Vancouver Rape Relief, Vancouver Status of Women, the Philippine Women's Centre, the IMA, and FREDA, spoke at the press conference and articulated their views. In addition, we invited representatives from other allied organizations to attend the conference as a sign of support. We were gratified to receive an overwhelming response. A number of different groups including the BCIFV and the Stepping Stone Society were represented at the press conference. As well, we received numerous letters of support from women's centres and transition houses around the province. The timing of the conference, the organizing work of the committees and the support we received from our community and allies, helped us to achieve our objectives. The press conference made it to the front page of the Vancouver Sun. As well, it made the CBC National, CTV, and the local nightly newscasts. The vigil, however, was not that well attended. Approximately 400 people assembled in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Most were members of the South Asian community. What the Coalition Asked For At the press conference, the Coalition requested the following: THAT a full and independent inquiry be ordered by the Attorney General focusing on the RCMP's lack of enforcement of the policy concerning violence in intimate relationships. THAT the inquiry be conducted by an external and independent agency. THAT there be meaningful inclusion and participation of women's groups in reviewing and amending policies dealing with violence against women in intimate relationships. THAT the media be cognizant of the reality that violence is not a culture-bound phenomenon, but transcends race, class and culture. THAT the Attorney General immediately implement the recommendations of the Oppal Commission particularly with regard to enabling independent and external monitoring of all aspects of the criminal justice system as it affects women who are victims of violence. THAT the government undertake efforts to increase awareness and prevention of violence against women and children. What We Achieved Through collective action, we were able to put forth our perspective on the massacre. In terms of concrete outcomes, we were not able to persuade the Attorney General to call for an independent inquiry. However, the AG first ordered an internal investigation into the RCMP's actions. He then, upon the disclosure of a second violation of policy - a violation brought forward by Sharon Velisek - ordered a coroner's inquest. Based on this response, the Coalition sent out another press release informing the media that while an inquest was a positive step in uncovering why the system had failed to protect Rajwar Gakhal, its mandate needed to be broad enough to examine all aspects of the justice system. As well, the coalition called for the inclusion of women's groups in the appointments to the inquest. By this time, however, the story was stale, at least insofar as the media were concerned. It was now relegated to the back pages, overshadowed by other contemporary events, not to mention the impending provincial election. Consequently, the media release never made it to print. What Remains to be Done Violence against women and children needs to be a front-page issue all the time. It is an issue that has life and death consequences. We cannot afford to treat such violence as an aberration or simply the act of a few mad men out there. This is an endemic problem in Canadian society and it involves all of us - those who live with it, those who work with it, and those who hear about it. The sheer prevalence of violence against women and children signifies to us just how much violent behaviour is condoned by society and how little societal systems do to protect victims. Violence is about power. Those without access to power, privilege and resources are the ones most likely to suffer. If we are to continue with our vision of creating a non-violent society, we have to come together and work collectively toward eliminating all forms of violence. Powerful institutions such as media, government and corporations can play a critical role here. They can work with non-profit and community groups to effect change. No one person, group or agency can do it alone. We have to form coalitions and ultimately create a milieu where violence is simply considered unacceptable. This is what feminism is about - effecting social change in order to create a society in which exploitation and domination do not exist.