This forum focused on three broad objectives: 1. To increase awareness of the victim supports needed and the services and responses available to assist families of missing persons and to start a dialogue on how to link services across jurisdictions; 2. To encourage governmental and non-governmental organizations to clearly identify the common and unique needs of families of missing persons as well [...] The families who participated in the meetings greatly influenced many of the recommendations, particularly through the valuable insights they provided in identifying gaps and possible solutions to help the families of missing persons. [...] The purpose of the family meetings on October 14 and 16 of 2009 was to update families on what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Final Report and to receive further input and direction. [...] Katharine Irngaut, from the Native Women’s Association of Canada gave a presentation about responding to the needs of families and the high rate of missing Aboriginal women in western Canada as well as how to specifically respond to and meet the needs of Aboriginal families of missing persons. [...] Irngaut’s respondents criticized the police for unhurried or total lack of response to missing women and girls, including, “insensitivity to the pain and suffering of the families involved and the need for ongoing information; lack of thorough investigation; and victim blaming, dehumanizing, sexualizing attitudes”.18 Ms.
- Pages
- 25
- Published in
- Ottawa, Ontario
