Crimesense Magazine - Summer 2014 - Ottawa by Vantage Publishing Group Corp.

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

INSIDE COVER STORY Shattered Dreams

A survivorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story and the scary reality of domestic human trafficking

______________

Olivia was 19 years old the first time she accepted money in exchange for sex. She doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember how she decided on the guy who would become her first trick...

The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre

The Centre Where Youth, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, & the Promise of New Beginnings Intersect

4 Dangerous trends to warn your kids about

Moving out of violence

Moving beyond the myths

The new standard for criminal record checks

Good will and good people since 1932

14 Parents Beware

18 The Journey to Voice

22 Drug and Alcohol Addiction 28 Digital Fingerprinting

32 Ottawa Neighbourhood Services

46 Criminal Lawyer Paul Lewandowski

Defending the impaired driver

When neighbours work with neighbours...

The SNAP Program

Romance fraud

Helping people deal with disabilities

Everyone has the potential to be a Crime Stopper

50 Crime Prevention Ottawa

55 Crime Prevention News Flash 57 If it Sounds too Good to be True... 61 CPO Disability and Abuse Booklet 62 Crime Stoppers

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Jacques Beauchamp Former Regional Police Office EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Christine Panasuk CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jonathan Beauchamp PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jonathan Beauchamp GRAPHICS & ART www.DESIGNit.CA PRINTED IN ONTARIO, CANADA The Lowe-Martin Group CONTRIBUTORS Diane Hill

Tony Palermo

Brenda Adams

David Chernushenko

Jacklyn Guay ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Don Holt

Ryan Berube

Thomas Easton

Armando Gomes

Daniel Cole Crimesense is published by Vantage Publishing Group Corp. and distributed free, all rights reserved. Contents and photographs may not be reprinted without written permission. The statements, opinions and points of view expressed in articles published in this magazine are those of the authors and publication shall not be deemed to mean they are necessarily those of Vantage Publishing Group Corp. or other affiliated organizations. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials. Publications Mail Agreement No. 41927547 ISSN 1927-3142 Crimesense Magazine (Print) ISSN 1927-3150 Crimesense Magazine (Online)

SAY HELLO

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 40 Colonnade Road Nor th Ottawa, Ontario K2E 7J6 Telephone: 1-888-724-9907 info@vantagepublishing.ca www.vantagepublishing.ca

- est 1990 -

Share your comments or suggestions with Jacques by sending him an email at: jacques@vantagepublishing.ca

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

‘‘

©copyright iStockphoto.com | JPhotoObjects.net

I NOW FEEL THAT I CAN ACCOMPLISH BIG THINGS IN THIS WORLD.

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

arah Heighton’s story of growing up in Ottawa was not initially so unique from many others’ experiences: she attended a wellregarded high school, had good marks, and wasn’t much of a

partier. However, from the time she was sixteen up until nineteen years of age, she would find herself careening down a path of escalating violence, tragedy and substance abuse; eventually, this path would lead her to the care of the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre (DSYTC), an Ottawa-based (Carp/Carleton Place) 90 day residential addiction and mental health treatment centre for youth (ages 13-21), as well as their families. In the 21 years since it was founded in 1993, the DSYTC has directly treated approximately 15,000 youth and families, excluding indirect community involvement. Up until 2010, it functioned as a day program where it would treat roughly 500-800 youth and families every year. Just last year (2013) the--now residential--program treated 130 youth and 265 caregivers, and hopes to continue to expand its capacity to help at-risk youth, much like Tarah. 9

Things had initially begun to change for Tarah, on an emotional level, in the ninth grade when familial troubles arose and she compensated with dependency on an external relationship. By grade eleven, following a difficult breakup, she began to unravel: she started drinking heavily and associating with a group of youth who frequented “partydrugs” like mushrooms and MDMA. Tarah began to “casually” partake in using, which would quickly escalate well beyond: “I started using really heavily. I wanted to do all of them, and every day, as much as possible. Before I turned eighteen I had tried everything, and every way of doing it... it just accelerated so fast.” Early into the twelfth grade, Tarah dropped out of school. No longer living at home, she quickly moved in with her new boyfriend, who began to physically abuse her. “It was a really nasty cycle,” she explains, “we would get high together and talk, he would apologize, and things were really good, but then mid-week he would get violent again.” After a year of the toxic alternating cycle of using and violence, the beatings had progressively gotten so bad that Tarah knew she had to get out, which she did--along with pressing charges against her abuser. Though Tarah wanted to stop using (particularly after seeing the issues it caused in her relationship), eventually--with the group she was living with at the time--she started snorting, and then injecting, OxyContin. One night, Tarah and her friends took a trip to Montreal which would then take a devastating turn; although one of Tarah’s best friends hadn’t previously experimented much with drugs, nor ever injected, she was killed that night by an overdose of OxyContin. This traumatic event would bring Tarah to her breaking point: “I fell apart after, and decided right away that I’d never touch drugs again--they killed my best friend.” Despite her best efforts, a couple weeks later Tarah started using again: “I would be home at night telling myself ‘Don’t go downtown, don’t do it... but my brain would justify the decision every time.” However, it wasn’t only addiction that was plaguing Tarah, it was the deeper emotional wounds the drugs helped mask--particularly feelings of grief, self-blame, and guilt for her friend’s death. “I was totally disassociated and apathetic. I broke down and knew that I needed to get help and stop or I was going to hitchhike to Montreal and OD on the streets there.”

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

Wanting to make a change, Tarah looked to one of her friends who had overcome substance abuse by attending the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre. “He came back a totally different person: so much healthier, with a good head on his shoulders. You could just tell it totally changed his life.” DSYTC Executive Vice-President - Clinical Services, Mike Beauchesne, has seen many such successes through the centre’s growth and evolution--as well as through his many varied roles at the centre--during his fourteen years of employment. He feels the DSYTC is dynamic in a variety of unique ways, including their emphasis on evidencebased practises, youth-focus, gender-separate campuses and programming, assertive aftercare programming, and a myriad of family services and support offerings. He too has seen the organization develop from a day to residential program, while always maintaining a clientcentred philosophy at its core. He explains, “it comes down to keeping our eyes and ears open and responding to client needs, what the staff are telling us, as well as the broader empirical literature.” Like their clients, he says they have aimed to develop the “good habit” of “not being afraid to evolve, change, and adjust” their own practices. After weighing these factors, Tarah concluded that DSYTC was, indeed, the right choice for her new beginning: “If you want a youth treatment that is inpatient and a good length of time it’s Dave Smith, there are no other options. It’s so crucial as a service for youth in Ontario, especially for people who don’t necessarily have a high enough level of income,” she advocates. Whereas some treatment programs are quite short (lasting just under a month’s duration) DSYTC is a three month, livein program; and, unlike other more lengthy rehabilitation centres--which can cost an applicant tens of thousands of dollars--DSYTC also provides its extensive services free of charge. In fact, though operating the centre can seem costly ($350-$450 per day, per client), it not only saves money for the families involved, but also taxpayers, on a societal level. “We know as a conservative estimate that for every dollar spent on substance abuse treatment we, as a community, save four to seven dollars in health care alone,” Beauchesne explains. He argues that the DSYTC is a proactive youth and social investment which saves lives, and generates long-term monetary savings by “preventing additional costs associated with extended emergency

stays, shelter use, involvement in the criminal justice system, and someone requiring disability or Ontario work payments for an extended period of time--which add up to well beyond the expenditures allocated with treatment facilities.” And this does not even include the ‘human costs.’ However, with large amounts of applicants and a limited number of beds (ten for the girls’ campus and fourteen for the boys’), there is an ongoing, up to twelve week (sometimes longer) wait-list for the centre; as of May 1st, the centre has seven youth in the application process, with seventeen currently on the wait-list with no immediate openings. Although wait-times vary, Beauchesne asserts that “the conclusion remains the same: our capacity cannot meet the demand with 24 beds”--a reality that will, unfortunately, remain until the centre receives the necessary commitment and support from funders to aid in expansion. By the time Tarah got the call to begin her treatment at DSYTC she had already been clean for two weeks, thanks to her own efforts and the support of Narcotics Anonymous (NA), the Youth Services Bureau, and the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre; though it is not a mandatory requirement for all clients to undergo detoxification prior to admittance at DSYTC, it is advised to 10-15% of applicants for safety precautions regarding extreme withdrawal symptoms. DSYTC is “committed to having as few access barriers as possible,” says Beauchesne, so as to not discourage applicants with arbitrary entrance requirements. In fact, though he stresses caregivers play a critical role in the treatment process and recovery, youth do not formally need them nor medical professionals to apply (via phone or online).

‘‘

NOW I FEEL CAPABLE WHEREAS BEFORE I FELT COMPLETELY HOPELESS.

And yet, she too emphasizes the importance of ensuring, as a participant, one is open to making great efforts, alongside staff, so as to--together--find the right solution. “You have to be willing to help yourself. You can’t do it for other people. You have to decide that you are worthy, that you are valuable, and make the decision to get healthy,” she urges. She too recognizes that getting healthy goes beyond getting clean: “Dave Smith did so much more for me than just stopping my drug use. It really healed me to have a healthy mind and overcome all my issues” which, she says, she “never could have done” on her own. And though Beauchesne embraces the centre’s ability to “put individuals in the best position for them to succeed and start believing in themselves,” he proudly suggests that “so much of it comes down to the strength and resilience of the individuals involved.”

©copyright iStockphoto.com | Jodi Matthews

Indeed, Tarah’s immediate impressions of the centre were this sense of openness: “It was 100 percent accepting from day one, to the point it’s kind of shocking. You could have anything going on and talk to the counsellors and they would be with you, present, listening to what you have to say, very judgement free and validating.” At DSYTC a client comes into contact with 18-22 workers during the duration of their stay (counsellors, administrators, teachers, etc.), with two addiction therapists per site. “The staff is incredible,” Tarah praises, “It’s obvious they put a lot of work into training them, to make sure they really have the best people for the job.”

Tarah was also able to reclaim her physical health at the centre. Having been a mere 90 pounds upon her admittance (when a healthy weight for her is 125), she was able to regain the 35 pounds and proper nutrients her body so desperately needed. She too was encouraged to exercise as a healthy outlet to gain pleasure without using substances. As Beauchesne describes, the centre has a “heavy emphasis on pro-social recreation” (gym excursions, museum visits, etc.) as well as a strong academic focus: “It’s meant to be a very comprehensive program,” he says, “because addiction treatment is much more than whether an individual is using or not, it’s a question of developing those skills that may be missing or need strengthening to facilitate a longer, happier, healthier life.” Indeed, Tarah notes that the group therapy sessions helped her learn effective problem-solving, communication, and coping skills: “they just do a good job in training you to be a whole person, you don’t even really notice the change until you get back out into the real world,” she says, adding, “the lessons just become natural.” While Tarah may not have recognized these changes within herself right away, it was apparent to her--early on--that she wanted to help others and give back to the community that had given her so much. She inquired to DSYTC counsellors as to job requirements and, with their help--including a $2,000 academic scholarship--made plans to work towards a career in the field of Social Work. After her graduation from the DSYTC--and coming full-circle--Tarah returned to volunteer at the Youth Services Bureau, which led to a job. Currently she volunteers with multiple advocacy groups, advancing Hepatitis C education, fostering mental health facilitation in

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

high schools, and working in outreach shelters. In addition, she has just finished her first year at Algonquin College for the Social Service Worker program. Working in the field, the issue both Tarah and Mike have found equally concerning regards the stigmas and misconceptions which surround mental health and substance abuse; they find the most prevalent of which to be a lack of general understanding regarding the issues--common as they may be-along with derogatory presumptions regarding those afflicted. Having struggled first-hand and later working with clients, Tarah suggests that “the piece that a lot of people miss when it comes to addiction, is it’s almost always trauma-based; it’s rooted in something.” As such, the DSYTC takes an integrated approach in treating concurrent, and complex, mental health issues and addictions. “We have to help educate and inform others about the issue,” Beauchesne says, “as well as the people we serve: the countless youth like Tarah that have long and positive futures ahead if we invest properly and give them the services they require and deserve.” And though Beauchesne recognizes an increase in public acknowledgement/discussion of mental health and addiction issues in the last 5-10 years, unfortunately, funding for treatment centres has not yet fully benefited from the increased awareness. Currently the foundation has a capital campaign in place, “Dave’s Dream”, which aims to raise 5 million dollars in order to expand and centralize facilities; their hope is to redesign and relocate residences, making them more conducive to treatment (even more therapeutic, safe, and less distracting, etc.)

One of the most rewarding things Beauchesne has found in his work, is seeing this process of self-reconstruction in clients, who transition from bleak outlooks to inspired goals and hope for the future. “I believe that if I had not gone to Dave Smith, I would be dead,” says Tarah, “but I found what I believe to by my true calling and am so much happier and healthier.” Tarah has certainly achieved many successes--especially impressive at the young age of 21; however, there are also many other alumni who continue to report their own, personal, successes. Findings from a DSYTC six-month post-treatment Evaluation Report suggest that: • 61% decrease in the number of days where one is drinking or high • 44% decrease in the number of days where high-risk behaviour occurs • 36 % decrease in the number of days where individuals are dealing with internalized health problems such as depression • 39% decrease in the number of days where individuals report externalized mental health issues/behaviours/conditions • significant (62%) drop in the rates of violence and criminal involvement and a corresponding increase where over 35% of alumni report increased life satisfaction

‘‘

and to create a positive environment for the youth who call it home for a time. Indeed, the funding would grant the centre the opportunity to refine and rebuild a strong foundation for continued growth--much like their previous programming restructure (from day to residential treatment), though this time from a physical, structural standpoint.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING MY SON BACK TO ME.

©copyright iStockphoto.com | Photodisc

Beauchesne acknowledges that “though there are no quick fixes and the system isn’t perfect, over time, incremental positive steps in recovery are possible and achievable-- we see it every day and so there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic and hopeful.” Certainly, these positive results and stories of those like Tarah--inspiring individuals who have overcome great hurdles--suggest promising outcomes. He explains that one of the most exciting opportunities about working with the youth population is that “despite significant challenges” and “no matter how bad things look,” because they are so young and have much room to learn and time to grow, “there’s always hope.” After having been both a recipient and provider of treatment, Tarah urges that the most important thing for youth to know is that “they are worthy and valuable and that when they need help, there are options and people that care and will listen and leave the door open for them,” people like Mike Beauchesne, Tarah, and all the workers of the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre. CS

www.davesmithcentre.org

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

ÂŠcopyright iStockphoto.com | Jupiterimages

Sure, kids will push boundaries and limits. But here are four not-so-harmless teen trends that can have horrific consequences which you need to warn your kids about.

Car Surfing Car surfing is a dangerous thrill–seeking stunt where a person rides (surfs) on the outside of a moving vehicle, like the roof or the hood, while someone else drives. Car surfing can result in serious injury and death, even at low speeds, after the participant falls from the moving vehicle. All it takes is a bump in road, or maybe unexpected braking or swerving. In October 2013, 19-year-old Brampton teen Royal Virk died after car surfing in a school parking lot. Virk had been surfing on the trunk of a 1998 Honda Civic being driven by his 16-year-old friend, before falling off. He was taken to a trauma centre in critical condition with head injuries, and died a short time later. The unidentified teen driver was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death. Virk’s car surfing death isn’t unique. Several other deaths and serious injuries across the country have been attributed to car surfing. When you consider we require people, by law, to wear a seatbelt inside of a vehicle, standing on the roof of a moving car doesn’t make much sense. “It’s reckless and dangerous,” says Ottawa Police Service Const. Marc Soucy. “It doesn’t take much for someone to really hurt themselves, even at low speeds. If we see it happening, we’ll put a stop to it and the participants will be charged.” 15

Choking Game

But the even bigger danger is when kids play the game alone, since they can suddenly lose consciousness, preventing the child from loosening whatever is choking them. In these instances, death occurs quickly – generally in four or five minutes; permanent brain damage in even less time. “Unfortunately, it’s considered by these kids as harmless fun,” says Sharron Grant, whose 12-year-old son, Jesse, died in 2005 from playing the choking game. “There’s nothing harmless about it. The dangers are very real.”

©copyright iStockphoto.com | BananaStock

Known as the “good kid’s high” because it’s generally performed by high-achieving, social kids who shun alcohol and drugs, the choking game is extremely dangerous and can be deadly. It works like this: kids choke themselves to cut off the flow of blood to their brain, producing a light-headed feeling. Then, as they release the pressure from their neck and the blood rushes back to their brain, they experience a shortlived, euphoric high. These feelings are actually caused by brain cells dying from the lack of oxygen.

A 2009 survey conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health revealed that five percent on Ontario’s high school students reported participating in the choking game; that’s approximately one in 20 students throughout Grades 7 to 12.

problem with our youth. To illustrate her point, she quotes a text message sent from one student to another that reads ‘how bout i let u try sum weed for $5? Il sho u how 2 roll a joint.’ It’s that easy, and Thomlinson-Thompson says this is just one of many similar messages circulating in our high schools.

“Parents really need to understand that not only is it dangerous, but there’s a good chance their kids have tried it or know of someone who has,” says Grant.

But let’s get real. We’re talking marijuana here – the same drug that mellows and invokes images of peace, tranquility and munchies; the same drug U.S. President Barack Obama said he “inhaled frequently” when he smoked it as a kid because “that was the point.”

Marijuana According to the Canadian Public Health Association, marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in Canada. Even more troubling is a 2013 Unicef report which shows Canadian children have the highest rate of cannabis use among the 29 developed countries surveyed for the report.

Despite the pop culture view that marijuana is natural and relatively harmless, Thomlinson-Thompson notes levels of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the mind-altering chemical found in marijuana, have dramatically increased over the years. And since two of the things THC affects are learning ability and attention span, it’s safe to reason smoking weed is counterproductive to a school environment.

Const. Cheryl Tomlinson-Thompson is a school resource officer with the Toronto Police Service and agrees marijuana use is a

“I’ve seen many students come in at Grade 9 with averages in the nineties,” says Thomlinson-Thompson. “Unfortunately,

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

some fall into the trap of marijuana use and their grades plummet by Grade 10.” It doesn’t stop there. Thomlinson-Thompson says depression and anxiety are also maximized with the use of marijuana, and studies show marijuana is addictive – even more so for younger brains in the prime of their development. And there’s nothing peaceful and tranquil about that.

SnapChat

(and other social media)

distribution of child pornography for doing exactly that. The boys were sharing sexually-explicit pictures of girls – in several cases, of each other’s girlfriends – which they saved by taking screen captures. Several of the distraught victims thought they were safe because of SnapChat’s self-destruct feature, but clearly weren’t. “Don’t assume anything you send, whether it’s an image or a comment, will remain private,” warns Nethercott. “Once you hit the send button or click the mouse, you can’t change your mind. In the world of cyberspace, anything you’ve posted will never truly go away.” CS

Most parents have heard of Facebook, the popular social networking site, but there’s a good chance your kid has moved on to another application you may not have heard of: SnapChat. Daniel Miller is a professor of Material Culture at University College London. In his Dec. 20, 2013 article titled “Facebook’s so uncool, but it’s morphing into a different beast” he says young people are turning away from Facebook and are turning to other social media applications instead. “What we’ve learned from working with 16-18 year olds in the UK is that Facebook is not just on the slide, it is basically dead and buried,” says Miller in his article. “Parents have worked out how to use the site and see it as a way for the family to remain connected. In response, the young are moving on to cooler things.” And one of those cooler things is SnapChat, which people access from their mobile device. SnapChat allows users to send pictures and videos that “self-destruct” up to 10 seconds after being viewed by the recipient. And it’s this self-destruct feature that police warn gives kids a false sense of security. A/Sgt. Mark Nethercott works with the Ottawa Police Service’s West Division school resource officers. He says while the sent images appear to disappear within a few seconds, they can still be copied by a screen capture and then forwarded to other people. In fact, in November 2013, 10 boys between the ages of 13 and 15 in Laval, Quebec, were charged with possession and

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

By Diane Hill

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

ÂŠcopyright thinkstockphotos.com | predraze, tiler84

or some women, finding their voice can mean the difference between moving out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence—or staying trapped in unhealthy (sometimes deadly) situations. For a group of young women in Ottawa, finding their voice has not only helped them to escape abuse, but empowered them to help end violence against all women.

IN A SPARSELY FURNISHED meeting room in suburban Ottawa, a group of young women sit in a circle, talking quietly. Outside, you can tell spring is on the way. The women are members of Young Women at Risk, a weekly support group for women who have experienced violence. Each Thursday, they meet in a former classroom of a converted school, now an outreach centre for young mothers. The room contains a few chairs, a children’s playhouse in primary colours, two diaper change tables, and a folding table with an urn of stale coffee. The sound of children on their way to the playground can be heard echoing out in the hallway. “It was such a relief to tell the truth,” Lisa is saying. She is 24, with shoulder-length blonde hair tucked behind her ears and two silver studs in her lower lip. Tattoos encircle her right wrist and disappear up into the sleeve of her navy blue hoodie. “In this group, I could say, ‘Last night, he punched me in the head but tonight I’m going to cook dinner and act like nothing happened.’ And nobody here would ever say to me, ‘You’re stupid.’” Beside her, 20 year-old Carolyn nods. “In other places, they’d say, ‘What’d you do to make him snap?’” Vanessa, 21, is small and thin. She holds her interlaced hands tightly against her body. “Or they’d say, ‘Leave, leave, leave.’ That’s easy to say, but sometimes you can’t.” Carolyn stares at the floor. “If I hadn’t found this group,” she says, “I don’t think I would have kept talking about what was going on.” 19

For these women, this room is an oasis—the only place they can tell the truth about their lives and not feel judged. Because of that, they’ve not only found the courage to escape the violence, but are also working to end violence against all women. The freedom to say what we think and feel is fundamental to our well-being: It signals that we believe in ourselves and honour our own experience. For women seeking transformative change, voice is the key that unlocks the door.

BUT WHY DO WE LOSE OUR VOICE IN THE FIRST PLACE? Like many of the women in the Young Women at Risk program, Lisa, Vanessa, and Carolyn all grew up in violent homes. Some were removed from their families as children and placed into foster care or group homes. In their teens, some became homeless; all became pregnant. Along the way, they were often blamed for what happened to them, or not believed. By the time they entered the program, most of them had “zero” selfesteem, says Zahrah Hajali, the Outreach and Support Worker of Young Women at Risk.

©copyright thinkstockphotos.com | kailash soni

But it’s not only women in abusive relationships who struggle to find their voice. To some extent, all women and girls learn the same lesson: Our issues, our stories, our points of view are not important. Like desert seeds that lay dormant waiting for rain, we remain silent.

For many women, the healing begins when we find a place where we are heard. Even then, trust can be a long time coming. For Vanessa, the unconditional support provided by the group came as a surprise. “The bond we have here is weird to me,” she says quietly. “I didn’t know non-judgmental people like this existed.” The next step is to begin trusting our own competence. To begin this process, Zahrah focuses on guiding each woman to set her own priorities and make her own decisions.

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

“Even if a woman experiences violence on a daily basis, that might not be her biggest worry,” says Zahrah. “Maybe she’s more upset that she can’t feed her kids or can’t afford bus tickets this month. Once we help her to get those basic needs met, she’s usually more able to focus on the violence. But it has to be on her own timetable.” Lisa lived with a violent partner for 10 years and knew people judged her for staying. “I knew my mom wanted me to leave, so I would, even though I wasn’t ready,” she says. “I’d be back a month later. People think they’re helping by pressuring you to leave, but they’re not. It’s so much better to make that decision yourself. That’s how you get out, and stay out.” Each week, Zahrah leads the group through different topics, but sometimes the best lessons come from the other women. What finally helped Lisa to leave was hearing other women in the group talk about how they’d gotten out. “It gave me hope,” she says. “Eventually it kicked in: Yeah, I can do that too.” The women also learn how to listen more and judge less. As Carolyn says, “I used to be pretty judgmental, so it’s made me into a better person. I never knew I was capable of supporting other women this way.” As they begin to realize their story not only matters but can actually help others, the women slowly begin to see themselves differently—not as victims but as agents of change. Zahrah has witnessed many powerful moments of healing and transformation. One of the most memorable happened at an open house held to commemorate December 6, the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. During the gathering, one of the group members suddenly stood up and started to speak.

“She’d never told her story before—she’d never even said she was a survivor,” says Zahrah. “But that day she spoke for 30 minutes, and she became more powerful with every word.” After that, the young woman was transformed; she is now in school and doing well. The moment had special significance for Zahrah, too. “I’m also a survivor, so I know how it feels to reclaim those lost parts of yourself.” The open house was organized by the young women themselves, as one of the “empowerment projects” the group does throughout the year. The projects help them practise new skills that will eventually allow them to rebuild their lives. On International Women’s Day the group organized a day-long community event they called HersDay. They did everything: created the schedule, chose the workshop topics and speakers, designed posters, handled promotion, and prepared the food. When the day came, 150 people showed up; the vast majority were at-risk young mothers. All day, the group members were praised for organizing such a great event. The words provided a powerful counterbalance to the usual negativity that scars their lives. “Their partners are constantly telling them they can’t do anything right, that they’re useless,” says Zahrah. “But after that day, those words would never again be internalized quite so deeply, because they know other people think they’re great. That’s a big success.”

Thanks to the Young Women at Risk group, Lisa, Carolyn, and Vanessa have all escaped the violence and are now rebuilding their lives. In the process, each is also reclaiming her voice— not just for herself, but for every woman living in violence. Recently, the group marched together at the Ottawa Take Back the Night event. They wore matching bandanas and T-shirts with empowering messages and carried posters they made themselves. Lisa says she found the experience overwhelming. “I just burst out crying,” she says. “It felt so good to be part of something that was for all women who’ve experienced violence just for being a woman. The fact that I was fighting back made me feel amazing.” Carolyn sits up straighter in her chair. “It really opened my eyes. Being supported by 10 women in this group is amazing, but seeing hundreds of women together on the street tells you people are out there fighting back. Just think about the kind of impact we can have, together.” CS

The Young Women at Risk program is delivered by the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa and supported by the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

ÂŠcopyright thinkstockphotos.com | stevanovicigor

Raise your hand if you, or someone you know, has ever suffered from drug or alcohol addiction. Inevitably, the vast majority of hands rise, some without hesitation, others with a tentativeness that clearly suggests shame and embarrassment. Despite the compelling evidence of its widespread existence, many myths still surround the issue of addiction. Unfortunately, these myths help perpetuate discrimination, stereotypes and misinformation, which are then applied to public health policy decisions and improperly ‘inform’ our understanding of addiction and those who suffer from the condition.

n addition to providing residential and aftercare treatment to Ontario youth struggling with addiction and mental health issues, the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre (DSYTC) advocates for those who suffer from this costly and tragic health issue. In so doing, the DSYTC is tasked with helping educate and inform others about the nature of drug and alcohol addiction and, in the process, dispel some of the myths that continue to surround this public health issue. The following being some notable examples:

MYTH: Addiction is a sign of a character flaw or moral failing.

Addiction is a potentially chronic health issue that impacts people from all backgrounds – it does not discriminate. People who use drugs are not ‘bad’ people with poor self-control. Consider for a moment how ‘addicts’ are portrayed in pop culture and then decide if this same description is an adequate fit for your child, sibling, friends and extended family members. Ultimately, these individuals require our help and support and not our scorn and ridicule. 23

MYTH: Addiction is a choice.

While we all make decisions in our lives, some healthy and some less so (consider nutrition and exercise – or lack thereof), nobody chooses to become addicted. Rather, drug addiction is often about fulfilling an unmet need and wanting to feel ‘normal’ (e.g., to increase pleasure and/or reduce emotional or physical pain). Ultimately, reasons for use will vary and may change over time, but nobody sets out to be ‘addicted’ and to experience all the pain and suffering that often accompanies this health issue.

MYTH: Addiction is a genetic disease of the brain.

Genetic and hereditary considerations are very important, but addiction is not wholly determined by such factors. Rather, environmental influences (particularly in early childhood and adolescence) far outweigh these factors when considering susceptibility to addiction. The experience of life events such as abuse, neglect and other stressors and trauma increases ones risk for addiction. For youth, the misuse of substances then detrimentally impacts their brain and their ability to achieve important developmental milestones.

MYTH: Drugs are addictive and they are the ‘cause’ of the problem.

Most people who use drugs do NOT become addicted. In the same way that the vast majority of people who eat, gamble and have sex do so in moderation without becoming addicted to these activities. But SOME do. Therefore, the focus should really be on the person and his/ her needs and less on specific drugs and their properties and effects.

This line of thinking is pervasive in society and once again demonstrates a substantial misunderstanding of why people use drugs or alcohol. It would be difficult to find more negative consequences than what ‘addicts’ experience in lower east side Vancouver (e.g., Hep C, HIV, Trauma, homelessness, violence, etc.) – yet in spite of all this they still use! So does it make sense to believe that putting these same people in jail will help?

MYTH: Marijuana is ‘natural’ so it cannot be harmful or addictive.

Despite media attention often given to substances such as ‘crack’ cocaine, crystal meth and heroin, marijuana (cannabis)

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

©copyright thinkstockphotos.com | rez-art

MYTH: ‘Addicts’ need negative consequences (e.g., punishment) to get better.

remains the most common drug of choice amongst those seeking treatment for their addiction. At the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, more than 80% of youth clients report using cannabis on an at least a weekly basis – and many do so daily (well more than any other substance, including alcohol). Research also demonstrates that there are significant physical and mental health consequences that can result from regular marijuana use. As such, it is important to acknowledge that marijuana use does pose serious risks.

MYTH: Addiction and mental health issues are distinct, and should be treated as such.

While drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can occur in isolation, they are often closely linked. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), conservatively estimates that 20% of people with a mental health issue have a co-occurring substance abuse problem and the majority of individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse have at least one co-occurring mental health challenge. Substance abuse can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues (e.g., psychosis) and addiction can arise as a maladaptive coping strategy for untreated mental health conditions (e.g., self-medication). At the DSYTC 95% of all youth who seek substance abuse treatment also suffer from at least one co-occurring mental health issue. It is for this reason that they offer an integrated and comprehensive treatment approach.

MYTH: Addiction prevention means more education is needed.

Knowledge is very important but lack of education is not the biggest problem when it comes to addiction. Rather, it is about understanding and proactively addressing those risk factors which contribute to addiction (e.g., pain, anxiety, depression, trauma, anxious/stressed/poor parenting, adversity in childhood, ADD/HD, etc.). Addiction is not a mystery but it is so often misunderstood. As Dr. Gabor Mate states: “…the problem is not that we don’t know what to do, it is that we don’t always do what we know.”

MYTH: For those with concurrent disorders, successfully treating the mental health issue will eliminate the addiction (and vice versa).

If it were only that easy. While it is true that improvements in mental health status can result in a positive decrease in substance using behaviour, this is often not the case. In fact, sometimes related problems could appear to worsen (at least in the short term). For example, it is not unusual for someone to feel more depressed or anxious as their substance use decreases because their use was an effective coping strategy for those issues. Ultimately, all aspects of concurrent disorders should be addressed during treatment. 25

MYTH: Medication is just another form of addiction.

Given the high degree of concurrent disorders that exist (e.g., addiction and mental health issues at same time), the use of pharmacological intervention (i.e., medication) is an invaluable tool that should be considered. While many medications carry the potential of being misused, prescriptions provided based on a thorough assessment and taken with proper monitoring have the potential of offering enormous benefits.

MYTH: Lack of treatment success means the person was unmotivated.

Although commonly stated in many treatment environments, this is what the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach refers to as an example of a “Dead End” explanation. That is, this ‘excuse’ offers very little hope or options to productively move forward. It is also inaccurate in that it is virtually impossible to find someone who is completely unmotivated – these individuals simply may not be motivated for what others want them to be motivated for (e.g., treatment). It is for these reasons that it is incredibly important that our interventions focus on the individual and his/her needs and personal reinforcers, and not our own.

MYTH: Reaching “rock bottom” is a prerequisite for treatment success.

When does someone know they have reached rock bottom? Ultimately, this status is unpredictable, can vary drastically from one person to the next and, tragically, ‘rock bottom’ for some could mean death. Therefore, we should not wait to intervene as there are always things that clients and/or family members can do to help reduce the experienced harms, improve quality of life and facilitate considerations for recovery (however that is personally defined).

MYTH: Abstinence is the only legitimate goal

Harm reduction philosophy and approaches are critically important elements of our ideal collective response to addiction (e.g., methadone, supervised injection sites, reduction goals, etc.). While ‘abstinence for all’ may be the ideal, it is not realistic, and our health policies, laws and interventions should be based on reality and science and not on mythology.

©copyright thinkstockphotos.com | Design Pics

MYTH: Treatment does NOT work!

In fact treatment DOES work! Especially when the treatment program is based upon available clinical research and best practices – such as what is offered at the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre. When compared to other conditions of a relapsing nature, long-term outcomes for those receiving addiction treatment are very positive. And not only does effective treatment directly help those individuals and families in need, but it is a worthwhile community investment as well.

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

In Ontario alone, it is estimated that every dollar spent to treat substance abuse results in a savings of $4 to $7 in health care alone! This does not even include criminal justice or lost productivity costs, nor the human costs which are immeasurable. Dispelling these myths and those like them will go a long way in helping us better understand addiction, foster political, treatment and health policy decisions that are empirically-supported. and ultimately allow us to be of greater assistance to those individuals and families who suffer as a result. CS

AUTHOR BYLINE:

Mike Beauchesne, M.Ed., MBA, CCC is the Executive Vice President, Clinical Services at the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre (DSYTC). DSYTC is a non-profit, residential, and community-based agency that is dedicated to helping youth (13-21) and families across Ontario overcome substance abuse and related issues and to achieve a healthier lifestyle. With evidence-based programs tailored to the specific needs of young men and women in separate campuses, it is the only Centre of its kind in Eastern Ontario. The DSYTCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to provide youth and families in need with integrated, evidence-based addiction treatment, delivered by competent professionals within a caring and compassionate environment.

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

crimesensemag.com

he RCMP has announced the cessation of ink fingerprint submissions by July 1, 2014 and is planning to end the use of name and date of birth checks, typically known as CPIC checks, by July 2015. This policy change is ushering in a new standard where digital fingerprints are the only fully trusted method for third party agencies to perform a criminal record check for civil applications. Many industries are becoming aware of this and are already implementing digital fingerprinting as part of their screening process.

FINGERPRINTING OFFERS PROTECTION For several years now, the stigma of getting fingerprints taken has been fading as a direct result of greater awareness and acceptance by the public of the benefits of digital fingerprinting. The questions they are asking are: Who am I hiring? Who has access to my confidential information? Who can I trust to enter my home? Who is looking after my children? Demand for fingerprints has grown so much that last year alone, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, an active partner with the RCMP in the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification System since 2006, processed tens of thousands of civil fingerprint submissions nationwide. Paul Guindon, CEO of Commissionaires Ottawa, explains: “One of the reasons for this surge in demand is that fingerprints don’t lie. They are powerful allies in crime prevention because they alert us about individuals who might pose a threat to us personally or professionally. Just as importantly, fingerprints protect us by securing our personal identity and confirming our law-abiding integrity.”

FINGERPRINTING IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE

Across Canada, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires manages a sophisticated network of 60+ systems which are tested and proven to meet rising demand. Here in the National Capital Region, Commissionaires Ottawa has three offices that offer digital fingerprinting and background screening services— one in the heart of downtown, one in Nepean on Colonnade Road near Merivale, and one in Gatineau on St. Joseph Boulevard. The service is conducted by knowledgeable security professionals in a private and confidential setting with a focus on privacy of information. The process takes about 15 minutes and numerous payment methods are available.

EVERYDAY, LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS MAY REQUIRE FINGERPINTS

Mr. Guindon says, “Fingerprints aren’t only for career professionals; they are also requirements for certain kinds of volunteer, part-time and co-op jobs. For example, more and more students at colleges and universities are requiring criminal background checks to meet the pre-employment screening requirements of placement agents and employers.” Everyday citizens may require fingerprinting for a number of reasons, including: • Employment • Immigration and citizenship • Foreign travel, visas, work permits, etc. • Record suspension (pardon) applications • US Entry Waivers • International adoption • Name changes • Security clearances • Volunteer work

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

For group or VIP processing, the private security company has mobile services that can come to you or your work location. Commissionaires Ottawa can even take ink prints and scan them into a digital packet for submission through the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) system. This is an ideal service for citizens in remote areas or even overseas.

ALL-IN-ONE CONVENIENCE AND FAST TURNAROUND TIMES

Digital fingerprinting provides not only the security of knowing with 100% certainty the identity of the person being printed, but if a person has no criminal record, the RCMP will issue a certificate in as little as 72 hours, (ink fingerprinting used to take weeks or months to process). In addition to digital, mobile and electronic conversion fingerprinting services, Commissionaires Ottawa provides the all-in-one convenience of related services such as record suspension (pardon) application services, US Entry Waivers and pre-employment screening. “What sets us apart from other companies is that we offer a one-stop-shop for related services, which saves our customers time and money,” says Mr. Guindon.

This is especially true for customers seeking a record suspension. The first step in the process is to get a certified copy of the criminal record, which is done through digital fingerprints. Since Commissionaires Ottawa provides both the fingerprint service and the application service, customers can avoid making appointments with multiple companies to get all elements of their applications completed. As an added convenience, Commissionaires Ottawa cost-effectively bundles the price for fingerprints and the record suspension application fee.

MODERN-DAY COMMISSIONAIRES PROVIDE MUCH MORE THAN “SECURITY”

looking for part-time work and individuals wanting to broaden their skills or gain more experience in a securityrelated profession. Mr. Guindon adds, “Commissionaires Ottawa is an ‘everygeneration’ company that invests in its people by providing them with industry-leading training, wages and benefits. We look forward to doing our part to evolve and expand our services in order to meet demand and help keep our communities safe.” CS

www.commissionaires-ottawa.on.ca

Commissionaires Ottawa is among the largest private sector employers in the National Capital Region—with just under 4,000 commissionaires reporting to about 500 client sites in Ottawa, Gatineau, the Ottawa Valley, throughout Northern Ontario and also in parts of Southwestern Ontario and Northwestern Quebec. The not-for-profit, private security company offers a comprehensive range of digital fingerprinting and background screening services, by-law enforcement, non-core police services, security and security related training and a full suite of security solutions across a multitude of industries.

Although Commissionaires Ottawa is best known for hiring veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP, the company also employs trusted, security-focused individuals of all ages and all walks of life—including students, people

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

ÂŠcopyright thinkstockphotos.com | pablographix

MISSION STATEMENT:

To provide Ottawa’s financially disadvantaged with life’s essentials at the lowest possible prices.

hat is ONS? Ottawa Neighbourhood Services (ONS) is a business with a difference. It is a charitable, non-profit, non-sectarian organization that has been serving the needs of Ottawa residents for the last 82 years. Established in Ottawa in 1932, during the Great Depression, its mandate is to provide the underprivileged people, working poor in the community, as well as those on fixed incomes, with life’s essentials at the lowest possible prices. To that end, we operate a used items store at 10 Rideau Heights Drive. In keeping with the spirit of its founder, Harold Mayfield, ONS believes that everyone in the community who is in need should be helped.

ONS also knows that the Ottawa community is a generous one. The organization merely acts as a bridge between those who wish to help and those who are in need.

OBJECTIVE: To provide goods and services to Ottawa disadvantaged, ONS works with the community (individuals and businesses) to collect and resell previously used items at very affordable prices. This is done through its retail store. We also provide emergency relief to people who have lost everything in a fire or experienced some other disaster. As well, we supply, free of charge, the basic necessities to clients who need a helping hand to get re-established that are referred to ONS by some 25 social agencies in Ottawa. 33

As we are in different section of the city on different days, to arrange a pick-up in your area, you need only call our main number and we will be pleased to arrange an appointment with you. Exact times are difficult to guarantee but, if you wish, ONS will call you just before it reaches your neighbourhood to inform you of its impending arrival.

FINDING ONS: We are now located at 10 Rideau Heights Drive. This is just off of Prince of Wales Drive, east of Colonnade Rd., one kilometer north of West Hunt Club Road. Our phone and fax numbers are: Tel: 613-728-3737; Fax: 613-728-4453)

HOW CAN YOU HELP? It is only through the generous

support of the community that ONS can continue to help those most in need. You can help us by shopping at our retail store, by contributing goods to us, by making a monetary donation or by volunteering. Your continued support and donations will help us help others.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED: ONS accepts clothing

(bagged), shoes, linen, tools, toys (not broken), books (no encyclopaedia, Reader’s Digest condensed books, textbooks or magazines), housewares, kitchenware (small appliances in working condition), knick-knacks and furniture (upholstered furniture, beds - no rips or stains). We have over 50 donation boxes across the city. To find out where the closest one to your home or workplace is, or if you would like your furniture picked up, please call 728-3737.

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

Though ONS has faced some tough challenges in the last two decades, it continues to survive, driven by its mission to help those in need. It has been in existence for more than 82 years, serving the needs of generations of community residents. In fact, the Honourary President of ONS, Mr. Dave Smith, one of Ottawa’s most-beloved philanthropists, credits the survival of his early family well-being to ONS. Ottawa Neighbourhood Services (ONS) has been a friend to many of Ottawa’s disadvantaged for 82 years. If you needed to clothe your family, you came to ONS. Needed furniture at give-away prices? Off you went to ONS. You lost all your possessions in a fire, the Captain of the Fire Station would call ONS. And if you had some difficulties re-integrating into the working world, ONS was there to give you the confidence and experience to start over.

Ms. Patricia Lemieux, President of ONS for the last 15 years, has worked diligently with the Board of Directors, to keep the doors of ONS open. Working with provincial policy makers, granting organisations, business leaders, and social agencies, Ms. Lemieux has worked tirelessly to ensure that the daily needs of Ottawa’s most needy are not forgotten. “When people in crisis need help, they need it now. They don’t need to wait for implementation of a policy or for grants, states Ms. Lemieux.” ONS does not seek permission from some far-off corporate office to implement help. She and her Board of Directors take action immediately for the benefit of Ottawa residents. Few organizations, particularly local ones, can boast of such longevity. And yes, ONS – like so many of its clients – faces its own challenges: a dwindling volunteer force, rising operational costs, no government support. Costs are barely covered by its store and baling operations. Yet it hangs on, recognizing that it has an important role to play in the community. You can’t turn away knowing that more 40 Ottawa-based service organizations and their clients are counting on you to help them through a crisis. Harold Mayfield, founder of ONS, continues to be our beacon. He came to Ottawa in 1932 with a dream and a heart to carry it to reality. He left us with a legacy of which we are all proud. CS

ONS has now moved from Centretown to 10 Rideau Heights Drive K2E 7A6 (between Hunt Club and Colonnade Roads). If you would like more information on ONS, please contact us at 613-728-3737. E-mail: ottawaneighbourhoodservices@hotmail.com Web: www.ottawaneighbourhoodservices.ca Hours of operation: Monday – Friday: 9 am to 5 pm • Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm Ottawa Neighbourhood Services accepts monetary donations. Any little amount will help us out. We are always in need of some kind of funding. The organization has set up an account through the Bank of Montreal. The bank code is 001, transit number 03566, account number 1998118. We also accept cheques or money orders payable to Ottawa Neighbourhood Services. You will receive an income Tax Receipt. Charity Registration number: 11907 1736 RR0001

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

a surViVor’s story and the scary reaLity oF domestic human traFFicking. by Tony pALermo

Olivia was 19 years old the first time she accepted money in exchange for sex. She doesn’t remember how she decided on the guy who would become her first trick. Olivia figures it was probably because he didn’t try to block his number, and was upfront about whom he was and where he lived. She says he just seemed normal – somehow different than the dozens of other men,

of all ages, who responded to her online advertisement.

And, it helped that he was willing to pay $300 for an hour of her time. Olivia was terrified. Her heart raced and her thoughts felt like they were going in a million directions. But her b oy f r iend, Steve*, wa s e x t remely reassuring and supportive, even telling

her as he dropped her off that he loved her and would be right outside. If she didn’t want to go through with it, all she had to do was leave and come back to the car. Her first encounter, she says, was as OK as something like this could go. The guy was clean and respectful – funny even – and tried to make her as comfortable as possible. When it was over, she collected her things and left. Steve was waiting outside for her exactly as he said he would be. “I couldn’t believe that I actually went through with it,” says Olivia. “Looking back now, it’s scary to see how I would have done anything for Steve.” And, she pretty much did.

Lost innocence It started innocently enough. Olivia met Steve in high school but he was just an acquaintance at the time. They were friends on Facebook, the popular online social media site, sending each other the occasional message, but never really spending any face-to-face time together. All of that changed a year after high school when, out of the blue, Steve inv ited Oliv ia to a pa r ty, a nd she accepted. “It happened real fast,” says Olivia. “From that night, we were dating and a couple.” Steve treated Olivia like a princess and the two were inseparable. They enjoyed dining at nice restaurants together. He bought her nice things and made her feel special. Olivia had never received attention like this from a guy before and it felt amazing. She wanted to spend every second with him, and it wasn’t long before Olivia was practically living with Steve, barely visiting her friends or staying at her middle-class family home in Scarborough. Olivia felt beautiful and desired, even when Steve kept telling her he believed sex was just a physical thing. She

figured he said this because they were in an open relationship; well, a one-sided open relationship. Olivia had no desire to sleep with other men, but Steve slept with other women, at first behind Olivia’s back, but later with her permission. He convinced her sex was meaningless – a pure physical act that felt amazing but meant nothing emotionally. He even encouraged Olivia to join in his other romps, telling her other people thought she was incredibly attractive. While it was flattering, Olivia had no desire to have sex with anyone else. But maybe Steve was right, she decided. Maybe sex could be just physical pleasure. After all, Steve always came home to her. He constantly told Olivia he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. They even talked about buying a house together and one day starting a family. “It was all the stuff I was craving – that I needed,” explains Olivia. “I wanted to feel loved, desired, to have a beautiful home and eventually a family of my own.” It wasn’t long before the desire to have a house to call their own became pressing and all-consuming. Despite Steve having a decent job in the trades, the couple struggled to come up with a plan to

Hotel rooms are frequently used by girls like Olivia when their list of clients grows.

quickly accumulate enough money for a sizable down payment towards their dream house. One evening while he was in front of the computer, Steve blurted out that most girls don’t realize how easy they have it – that it’s crazy how girls can have sex with guys and get paid great money for doing something so enjoyable. He called Olivia over to the computer. “Look at all of these ads,” he said, showing Olivia an online website that featured seductive pictures of half-naked girls offering escort and companionship services. “This industry is booming. A girl would be stupid not to jump on this.” Steve suggested they make an ad for Olivia – just to see what happened. Olivia was hesitant, but part of her wondered what sort of response they would get. “Look, you don’t have to go through with anything,” Steve promised. “But let’s just see what happens.” Olivia agreed, as long as Steve used his own cell phone as the main point of contact, as he originally suggested.

LookInG bAck now, IT’s scAry To see how I wouLd hAve done AnyThInG for sTeve. 38

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

Olivia was too afraid to talk to anyone herself and, besides, she didn’t want anyone to recognize her. Once the ad was posted, they both had their answer. “ H i s p ho n e s t a r te d b l ow i n g up instantly,” says Olivia. “It was crazy. I had no idea the sex industry was so popular.” Three months after Olivia and Steve had their first date, Olivia turned her first trick. Her boyfriend had become her pimp.

in ‘the game’

Steve even reassured her it was only temporary. Besides, it was just sex. All she was doing was helping fulfill her clients’ physical needs. Judging by how well her business was doing, Olivia was very good at her job. Sometimes Steve would come back to the hotel room in between clients to collect what Olivia had earned so far, telling her it wasn’t safe for her to have that much money kicking around the hotel room. He also kept full control of the finances, telling her he was only doing it for her protection. If he was caught with dirty money, the trouble and consequences would be his alone to bear.

It wasn’t long before Olivia had a stable list of regular clients she serviced. Business was certainly booming and the money was great. In fact, business was so good Olivia eventually started working out of a hotel room providing in-call services, making clients come to her hotel room, so she could spend more time working rather than traveling from one client site to another.

no way out

In a matter of months, she was fully entrenched in what those in the industry refer to as “the game.”

“It was nerve-wracking,” remembers Oliv ia. “They didn’t ma ke me feel ambushed or anything like that, but my guard was definitely up. I was so scared. I didn’t really know the laws and Steve had always told me not to trust the police, no matter what they said.”

Steve quit his job so he could manage Olivia’s thriving business. He handled all of the online marketing and client communications. And, he took care of the finances, which even on a slow day saw more than $1000 coming in. “On most days, I would see anywhere from four to six clients a day,” says Olivia. “It was almost like I had a nine-tofive job, working five days a week. He’d drop me off at the hotel and then would pick me back up at the end of the day. We’d grab some dinner, go home and maybe watch a movie or do something else together.” As strange as it sounds, Olivia says the relationship felt normal at the time – they each had a job and were working towards a common goal, and at the end of their work day, would spend time together as a couple. Sure, she had moments where she felt very ashamed of what she was doing, but then she’d remind herself that she didn’t have to turn tricks forever. This was just a way to quickly get a large down payment towards their dream home. Her family and friends didn’t have to know what she was doing, and once she had enough money saved, she’d quit.

Sure enough, one day, a couple of her clients turned out to be undercover Toronto police officers with the special victims unit. The officers were kind and said they were there to make sure Olivia was of legal age and safe. They also offered whatever assistance they could to help Olivia get out of the game.

Before the officers left, they handed Olivia their business cards. “We’re here to help you,” one of the officers reassured her. “If ever you need help getting out of a bad situation, call us, anytime.” Olivia still didn’t think she was in a bad situation. She was of age and was choosing to do this. But as time went on, Olivia noticed her relationship with Steve changing. She loved him so much and would do anything for him, but that didn’t seem to please him as much anymore. It seemed she couldn’t do enough to keep him happy. He was moodier, edgier, and more demanding. He would look for reasons to be mad – find any little thing and grasp on to it – anything to create a huge argument and give himself the upper hand. Steve also became enraged whenever Olivia questioned why she couldn’t have access to any of the money. He became more physically aggressive and threatened to tell all of her family and friends she was a prostitute. He

Are They In “The Game”? According to Carly Kalish, a therapist with East Metro Youth Services (an adolescent mental health agency in Scarborough), these are some of the signs that might indicate your friend or child is involved in sex work:

Isolating themselves from their usual friends and family

Looking more “dolledup” than usual (hair, nails,

new clothes)

Using language associated with the game (i.e.: daddy = pimp, stable = organization)

A new partner they’re keeping secretive

Increased money they can’t explain how they got

Not coming home as often as they used to

Not hanging out with their usual group of friends

Being more private and secretive than usual

printed off copies of her various online advertisements and shoved them in her face. “You fucking work for me, bitch,” he yelled. “Try to leave and I’ll make sure everyone sees these.” With no money of her own, and having isolated herself from her friends and family, Olivia was totally dependent on Steve. Olivia felt trapped.

a cLassic script Carly Kalish is an individual and family therapist with East Metro Youth Services, an adolescent mental health agency in Scarborough. She says while not every victim is female and pimp is male, Olivia’s case represents the most common way – the classic script – of how pimps recruit and trap their victims. “It usually starts off with the victim assuming they’re in a relationship,” says Kalish. “He treats her like she’s never been treated before. He takes her shopping, gets her nails done, takes her to fancy restaurants – basically makes her feel like a princess.” A s this is going on, the pimp is

the victim starts to associate sex with reward.

entering the sex trade is between 13 and 14 years of age.

To introduce the idea of sex with others, he might say things like ‘my friend thinks you’re really hot and it would really turn me on to see you sleep with him.’

But she doesn’t need statistics to know this is true.

As the relationship progresses, the pimp starts to send mixed messages. He goes from being very loving to pulling back and being moody. The victim starts to wonder what she did wrong and how to fix it. She will often do anything to please him because she wants everything to go back to what she sees as the perfect life they shared before. Money is raised as an issue and then the trap is sprung. He essentially tells the victim, in some way, that if she wants the perfect life they had before, she can help raise money quickly by having sex with other men. “It’s framed in such a way that the victim feels she wants to do whatever she needs to do to fix the situation because her ‘boyfriend’ has already done so much for her,” explains Kalish. “The pimp makes the victim feel that it’s her choice, and she’s only doing this to get back to the perfect life they shared before.”

She too has worked with a victim who was only 14 year old.

hypersexuaLization “Society has changed – pornography is more acceptable and there’s this hypersexualization that’s confusing our kids,” says Sgt. Franco Sacco, a 24-year veteran of the Ottawa Police Service. “Almost daily we’re dealing with kids who are cyber-sexting. I see 11 and 12-year-olds that are sexually active. No question, the moral compass has changed.” Sacco says this hypersexualization – the over-sexualizing of our youth and their increased exposure to sexual things – has changed what kids think ab out se x ua l ac t iv it y. B e fore , he explains, a girl in high school might have considered oral sex as the acceptable limit. Now, it’s full-out intercourse and at a much earlier age. “Sex is no longer seen as an age restrictive activity,” says Sacco. “It’s much more accepte d by children

the victim, beLieving they are in a reLationship, wiLL often do anything to pLease her perceived partner. gathering information. He learns about her family and friends, and discovers who she is closest too. They talk about what she wants out of life. They dream together. Although it’s under false pretenses, the relationship progresses just like a regular relationship would when two people are in love – a scary thought considering the whole time, the pimp is seeking out vulnerability and grooming his victim. Already, the cycle of manipulation is well underway. Sexual boundaries are explored and pushed. The victim, believing they are in a relationship, will often do anything to please her perceived partner. After sex, he might take her shopping or spend money on her in some way. Unknowingly, 40

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

There’s no set timeframe for how long it takes for the relationship to progress to this point. As Kalish says, it really depends on the skill of the pimp and how vulnerable the victim is. But once the victim crosses that line and exchanges money for sex, the full exploitation begins and the dynamics of the relationship change. Olivia was 19 when she turned her first trick. But according to Kalish, recent statistics say the average age of victims

we don’t want to prosecute the victims

because they’re constantly bombarded with how acceptable it is from the media.” Sacco goes on to explain that his officers see children who at 16 years of age have decided they want to exchange sex for money, or, at least that’s what they’re conditioned to believe by their controllers. As he says, it’s tough to break these kids from thinking this way. They see themselves as entrepreneurs and believe they’re living the capitalist dream. And, that’s why his unit takes a proactive approach and seeks these young girls out. “Our number one concern is doing outreach and protecting the children,” says Sacco. “We don’t want to prosecute the victims and survivors, even if they

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

Carly Kalish of the East Metro Youth Services meets with a client.

Ottawa Police officer Det. Kelly Lyle has worked in the sexual assault unit for 6 years.

don’t see themselves that way. We show up to let them know the police really are there to help, and that help is just a phone call away.” As Sacco says, the police are targeting the controllers. “This isn’t a matter of two people having consensual sex and one getting paid for it,” states Sacco. “It’s not about the freedom of choosing this as a way to make a living. Human trafficking is about sexual exploitation. It’s about control. And that’s why I call pimps controllers. We’re after the controllers and we want to stop the cycle of abuse.”

it can happen to anyone In 20 05, Ca nada implemented its first-ever domestic human trafficking legislation under sections 279.01 through 279.04 of the Criminal Code of Canada. The laws essentially make it a crime to recruit, transport, harbour and/or exercise control, direction or influence over the movements of a person in order to exploit that person, including sexually. Any of these activities done with the purpose of exploiting a person could be considered human trafficking. Ottawa police officer Det. Kelly Lyle has been a cop for over 15 years and has worked in the service’s sexual assault unit for nearly six years. She was one of several officers who worked on the National Capital Region’s first domestic human trafficking case under the new 42

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

laws. It was a brutal case that saw the then 29-yearold Laura Emerson plead guilty in April 2009 to exploiting three young women a s sex slave s, and living off the avails of two of them, including one who was underage. Emerson also pleaded guilty to forcing one of the girls to take drugs in order to get her to have sex with clients, and to forcibly imprisoning two of the girls. She received a seven-year sentence, less time served, for human trafficking. Lyle has worked several other related cases since then, including one where both the controller and the victims were minors. In one particular case, the pimp was a 15 -year old girl who forced other young teen girls to perform sexual acts with adult men.

unlike most cases that typically involve a grooming process over time.”

“This girl was tough and violent, and portrayed herself as someone who was older,” says Lyle. “The case was very primitive and different in the sense that it was full-on threats and pure violence,

Lyle says social media played a huge part in this case and cautions that people really need to know who they’re talking to online. As she says, we tell our kids to never meet up with someone they

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

don’t know – after all, they might think they’re talking to 16 -year-old Tiffany when they’re really talking to 45-year-old Bob. But she cautions there is a whole other side everyone needs to understand as this one case unfortunately shows. “These young female victims thought they knew this other 15-year-old girl and met up with her because they felt they were safe,” says Lyle. “After all, it was another girl their age, right? One of the girls even brought her teddy bear PJs because she thought she was going for a sleepover. But the sad reality is these girls didn’t really know her.” Lyle notes these young victims were just normal kids. “And that’s important to remember,” Lyle stresses. “It can happen to anyone.”

oLd-schooL parenting Det. Sgt. Nunzio Tramontozzi recently took over as head of the Toronto Police Service’s special victims unit. He’s worked several specialized units over his 26 years as a cop and by his own admission has seen a lot. Still, only weeks into his new job, he’s concerned by what he’s seeing.

Tramontozzi says the criminal element, whether its gangs or individuals, have realized human trafficking is a lucrative busine ss. He says he wouldn’t be surprised if it brings in more money than guns and drugs put together. There’s a definite market for these kids – a sick market the veteran officer has trouble comprehending. Social media and digital technology play a huge role in human trafficking, and it’s the main reason why Tramontozzi believes it’s even more important for parents to get back to some old-school parenting. He says parents need to make sure they know what their kids are doing on the internet and on the streets: who their kids are calling, who they’re texting, who their friends are, what c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

“I’ve talked to a couple of mothers who had no idea their kids were advertising t h e m s e l v e s o n w e b s i t e s ,” s a y s Tramontozzi. “I’ve seen kids promoting themselves as an adult when they’re only 14 years old.” Tramontozzi says it’s simple – parents are the adults. Parents are the ones who should be a little wiser because they’ve been around longer. At the end of the day, parents make the rules, and if their kids don’t like the rules, too bad. In his house, his kids know if they don’t follow the rules, there will be consequences. The veteran cop acknowledges while it’s hard to monitor, it’s not impossible. Both Tramontozzi and his wife have full access to their kids’ phones and

to turn to. She feared her family and friends would disown her if they found out she had been working in the sex trade. She was completely disconnected from everyone, living in a world where her only social interaction were the clients she slept with and the pimp who reminded her how worthless of a whore she was. But one day it finally hit Olivia that, no matter what, she had to get out of her bad situation. In less than two years she had turned over hundreds of thousands of dollars to Steve. The house was in his name and he was driving around in luxury cars. All Olivia had to show for being with Steve were the bruises. Olivia says leaving wasn’t easy, but one day she just packed her bags and jumped on a plane to visit family in another part of the country. She told them it had been forever since she had seen them – that she missed them and wanted to catch up. It was true, but the biggest reason was that she just needed to get away from Steve.

when I fInALLy dId mAke The cALL, IT pAved The wAy for me To TAke bAck conTroL of my LIfe.

“ I t’s sc a r y, you n g k id s are being run all over the Greater Toronto Area,” says Tramontozzi. “We’re seeing girls who are between 13 and 16-years-old involved in the sex trade. It’s hard. I’ve got kids of my own the same age as these girls.”

websites they’re visiting and where their kids are when they’re not at home.

computers. His children know their electronics can, and will, be handed over and checked at any time. “My wife and I are very vigilant,” says Tramontozzi. “Our kids don’t like it very much but I don’t care. It’s our job to keep them safe.” Tramontozzi pauses to reflect on some of his old-world Italian upbringing. “Look, I didn’t like some of the stuff my parents did, but at the end of the day I was safe,” he explains. “I was given food, clothing and the opportunity to get an education. What more could I ask for? Its old-school values that I think parents have gotten away from.”

making the caLL Olivia endured close to another year of Steve’s increasing physical and mental abuse. She was beaten down and felt she didn’t have anywhere, or anyone,

A week later, she moved back to her family home. At first, she didn’t give her parents any of the details – just that she and Steve were no longer together. Steve knew better than to show up at the house and drag her off, but he still tried to entice Olivia to go visit him. Sometimes he was nice; other times he issued threats. And sometimes, it worked. “I went back to school and tried to distance myself from Steve,” Olivia says. “For the most part, I stood my ground, but sometimes the threats would get to me.” Olivia had one client who she describes as a sugar-daddy. He would give Olivia large amounts of money to spend time with him – nothing sexual – just innocent things like keep him company and eat with him. Olivia continued to see this client after she moved back home and gave most of this money to Steve. It allowed her to go about her life with only minor interference from him. She did this for another six months before finally taking the next step to get her life back. Olivia pulled out the

crumpled business card and dialed the number.

Once that view switched, I started to get stronger. I got angry.”

Det. Leanne Marchen was one of the officers from the Toronto Police Services special victims unit who had reached out to Olivia almost two years ago, and she was very happy to hear from her.

Angry enough that Olivia decided, on her own, to support the police in having Steve charged with human trafficking.

“I was scared and I just wanted to live a normal life,” says Olivia. “To be honest, I didn’t know what else to do or who else to call, and I was going out on a limb. But I will forever be grateful that Leanne and Det. Sgt. Mark Bennalick showed up at the hotel that day because when I finally did make the call, it paved the way for me to take back control of my life.” One of the first things Marchen did was refer Olivia to Carly Kalish at East Metro Youth Services. For a long time, Olivia says she avoided dealing with the trauma she had been through – that avoiding it was the only way she could function. She was struggling but Kalish helped Olivia realize she was a victim, even if Olivia didn’t see herself this way. “I was scared, had no self-worth and felt a lot of shame,” says Olivia. “But Carly helped me realize I was manipulated.

Olivia says her case is still before the courts but she’s confident justice will prevail. Her court case has gone on for almost a year and in the beginning she was paralyzed by fear. But now she feels so much freedom knowing it’s almost over and Steve can’t get to her. “Life is so much better and I’m really proud that I found the courage to not only make the first call to the police, but to make sure Steve answers for what he’s done.”

have been incredibly supportive and non-judgemental, which is the exact opposite of what Steve manipulated me to believe.” Olivia describes herself being in an acceptance stage. She says her stance on sex work is that it’s a completely viable means of making a living but that it should always be that person’s choice. “My issue isn’t with sex work,” she says. “My issue is with pimping and victimizing people. Victims need to know there are people and places they can turn to. Make the call. The cops really are on your side and there are places like East Metro they can put you in touch with.” CS

O ver t ime, Oliv ia let her fa m ily know some of the details of what she experienced, telling them she was thinking of pressing charges against Steve for “domestic related issues”. In a search for more details, her mom eventually came across a media release of Steve’s arrest. “It listed all of the charges so at that point, the cat was out of the bag,” says Olivia. “But both of my parents

you’re not alone: where to get help Police agencies across the province have partnered with community resources of every type to provide the basic living needs and support systems to help victims get out of ‘the game.’ Det. Sgt. Nunzio Tramontozzi says although victims are conditioned to not trust the police, they need to understand the police really do want to help them. “I will use all of the resources at my disposal to reach out and help victims,” he says. Ottawa Police Sgt. Franco Sacco agrees and says the police and their community partners understand victims typically have total dependency on their controllers. “They might not have money, clothing, food, a place to stay, or even something small like a toothbrush,” says Sacco. “To the victims I say this: take the first step and call us. People are there to help you with the rest.”

Ottawa:

tOrOntO:

Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Outreach (www.ottawapolice.ca)

Toronto Police Sex Crimes – Human Trafficking (www.torontopolice.on.ca)

Phone: 613-236-1222 x5005

Phone: 416-808-7474 Email: sex.crime.unit@torontopolice.on.ca

Email: humantrafficking@ottawapolice.ca

East Metro Youth Services (www.emys.on.ca)

Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking (www.ottawacoalition.ca)

Phone: 416-438-3697 Email: emys@emys.on.ca

Phone: 613-769-6531

East Metro Youth Service has barrier free walk-in counselling services for youth 5 days a week. No appointment or health card necessary. If you or someone you know is experiencing something similar to what’s described in this article, or even if you just need someone to talk to, call 416-4383697 ext 242 or visit them online.

If you are a victim who lives outside of these regions, please call your local police service. Alternatively, you can call the Chrysalis Network, a 24/7 crisis and support line for sex workers and exploited persons, and they will connect you with support in your region. TOll-frEE Canada-widE: 1 -866-528-7109 if YOu arE in an EMErgEnCY SiTuaTiOn and nEEd an iMMEdiaTE POliCE rESPOnSE, Call 9-1-1 s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

Criminal lawyer Paul Lewandowski is the first to admit the conviction rates for impaired driving are high, and the consequences for the accused can be dire. But, says the Ottawa-based attorney who has successfully defended hundreds of clients—many on driving-related charges— there is another side to this story. “I have been very successful in fighting these charges in court,” says Ottawa-based criminal lawyer Paul Lewandowski with pride. “We have to hold the police and Crown attorneys to a high standard.” “They need help and guidance because a conviction can have a devastating impact not just on their futures, but also on the futures of their families and those who depend on them. It can cause their insurance rates to triple or quadruple, they can lose their driver’s license, they will have to pay a fine—they could even go to jail. They deserve a fair trial.”

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

established a precedent. (Until this case, the Supreme Court had virtually closed the door on that type of defence.) Another case involved an impaired-driving charge that turned into a full-blown beating of his client by police. To defend his client, Lewandowski filed a complicated Charter of Rights motion claiming excessive use of force. In the end, the Crown attorney “stayed” the case and the client walked away with his license—and no criminal record.

“Second, and most importantly, until the Crown proves otherwise in a court of law, these people are innocent.” His job, he says, is to be relentless in defending his client. “I have been very successful in fighting these charges in court,” he says with obvious pride. “We have to hold the police and Crown attorneys to a high standard. Do we want to live in a society where convictions are easy?”

Important for lawyers to stay on top of trends

So, how do you defend against charges of impaired driving or “over 80” (having a blood alcohol concentration of more than .08%)? “It is getting tougher, says Lewandowski, “and more complicated.” “We might start by examining the timing of breathalyzer readings. Were the readings taken as soon as practicable? Were they taken within the timeframes outlined in the Criminal Code? Did the officer have reasonable and probable grounds to make the arrest? These are just some of the questions we ask.” Many defences are driven by the facts of the case. For example, did the police comply with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Did the accused have “care and control of the vehicle”? Was there sufficient evidence to support the demand for a breathalyzer? “Although every situation is unique, there are certain trends that develop in the law,” he says. “I make a point on staying on top of those trends to ensure my clients have access to the full scope of available defences.”

No defence left behind

Lewandowski tells one story about a highly unusual defence he used recently called “non-insane automatism.” His client—a normally law-abiding man in his mid-50s— had been arrested after a high-speed police chase. In his defence, Lewandowski put forward that the man had suffered a stress-induced blackout and was not in control of his actions. Not only was his client acquitted, the case also 48

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

Sometimes a guilty plea is the best choice, he says. This might be the case if, for example, a person is charged with impaired driving for the second time. In that instance, the Criminal Code says 30 days in jail is mandatory; however, a well-negotiated plea bargain can make it possible for the mandatory jail time to be waived. “In the end, every case is unique and must be considered on its own merits,” he says. (Visit www.paullewandowski.com to read more about his successes and strategies.)

No-surprise fee structure

While many lawyers charge on an hourly basis—an approach that can result in some nasty surprises—Paul Lewandowski offers flat-rate fees so clients know exactly what it will cost before the work begins. “I know paying a good lawyer is not the most fun you’ll ever have,” he says, “but it’s a lot better than the alternative.” CS

Paul Lewandowski is a criminal defence lawyer in Ottawa, Ontario. He defends anyone charged with any offence under the Criminal Code of Canada or Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Typical offences include impaired driving, domestic assault, sexual assault, fraud and trafficking. He can be reached at 613-565-4155 or through his website at www.paullewandowski.com His office is located at 200 Elgin Street, Suite 901, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L5

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

o you know that ‘people power’ can help prevent crime and keep your community safe? If you want to make a difference in your city, your neighbourhood, your school or your place of work, perhaps it’s time to gather up friends and volunteers to take action. You can address a specific problem or build community spirit through activities that bring people together. The most successful community development projects are focused on the neighbourhood, based on its strengths and they’re driven by the community. Neighbor Power author, Jim Diers, believes that stronger neighbourhoods are built through projects that use a community’s assets—namely, people and their passion for the place they call home. Ready to take action? Here are Jim Diers’ top 7 tips for getting people in your community interested and involved:

Have fun. To engage your community, make it fun for everyone. Avoid meetings. Plan your projects—and make them happen—in a way that feeds everyone’s passion for building a better neighbourhood.

Start where people are. Go to where they live, on their street, and be sensitive to language and culture. Start with their networks, instead of trying to bring them into yours. Reach out to associations and groups.

Focus on people’s passions. Ask your neighbours, “What’s your hope for the community? What are you passionate about?” Don’t try to convince them to care about things that are important to you.

Share stories. Inspire your community through other people’s stories. What motivates communities are stories about people like them who have created positive change through their efforts.

Look around you. When you really pay attention, you’ll notice that your city and community are doing things to build this passion and community spirit. Activities include:

EVENTS: street parties, movies in the park, festivals, community sports day

INITIATIVES: walking clubs, graffiti removal projects, seniors’ programming Ottawa Community Housing worked with volunteers to reduce the height of fencing at one building. This project improved visibility and reduced the risk of the area becoming an entrapment point.

Let them see results. To keep your community engaged, show them the impact they’re having and the change they’re creating. They will come to understand that through collective action, they can make a difference.

Do not sit on your assets. Focus on every individual’s strengths and gifts: their head, heart and hands. Recognize that while everyone has needs, they also have incredible gifts. Lead them by stepping back and letting them take on small roles. They will eventually grow into bigger roles to lead the community.

Recognize and celebrate. Give recognition to those who make a difference. Lift them up so others can see what’s possible.

PROJECTS: skateboard parks, community gardens, homework clubs

SAFETY EFFORTS: risk assessments, safety audits, improved lighting Crime Prevention Ottawa recently released the booklet, How to Create Safe and Caring Communities: A Project Book for Your Neighbourhood, to highlight how people can improve their communities through beautification projects and activities. The booklet is for residents, community groups and businesses. It features eight community-based projects from Ottawa and beyond. In each case, neighbourhoods become safer and stronger thanks to communities that care. CS

For more information on what you can do to make your neighbourhood a better place, download the booklet at crimepreventionottawa.ca or order a free copy by sending an email to cpo@ottawa.ca with your request.

This garden beautification project is part of Dundonald Park’s Make a Place for People initiative. Volunteers and groups created a vision for the park and cultivated a culture of community participation, emphasizing that everyone is welcome.

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

Stop Now And Plan (SNAP®) is a Canadian, communitybased program for children (under the age of 12) who display early signs of anti-social or aggressive behaviour and have come into contact or are at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

evaluated SNAP® projects are presented in this paper. These programs are delivered in both urban and rural settings for Aboriginal and other populations, which help determine if the model could be implemented with others in a variety of regions.

The SNAP® model is based on a comprehensive framework for effectively teaching children with serious behavioural problems, emotional regulation, selfcontrol and problem-solving skills. Children learn how to stop and think in order to find solutions to resolve their problems.

CRIME PREVENTION IN ACTION

Public Safety Canada supports a number of pilot SNAP® projects in Canada and the following three publications provide more in depth information to assist in understanding how the program works and what kinds of results are being realized.

BUILDING THE EVIDENCE EVALUATION SUMMARY

RESULTS FROM THE STOP NOW AND PLAN (SNAP®) PROGRAM (www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/rslts-stpnwpln/index-eng.aspx)

THE STOP NOW AND PLAN (SNAP®) PROGRAM (www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/stp-nw-plnprgrm/index.aspx) This publication provides information on Stop Now and Plan (SNAP®) and the SNAP® projects the PS NCPC is supporting in various locations across Canada. It addresses implementation issues to be considered by those interested in implementing a SNAP® program. In particular, it considers the following questions: When is SNAP® appropriate? What are some key characteristics of organizations most suited to implementing SNAP®? How are participants successfully recruited? And, what are the key partnerships that will foster the success of SNAP®?

A number of the SNAP® projects supported through Public Safety Canada are part of an impact evaluation study. This publication provides information about the study and the results to date.

RESEARCH MATTERS

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT IMPLEMENTING THE STOP NOW AND PLAN (SNAP®) PROGRAM ACROSS CANADA? (www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/snp/indexeng.aspx) This issue of Research Matters evaluates the extent to which the SNAP® program benefits children who have behavioural challenges, including bullying, aggression, rule-breaking and conduct problems. The data for two (Toronto and Edmonton) of the three 55

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

e all have a little voice inside our heads that tries to tell us when a phone or email offer, a poster or a flyer seems a little too good to be true: You’ve won a free cruise! Claim your inheritance from that relative you’ve never heard of! Take advantage of this deep discount on a roofing job! Earn thousands per week working from home! Also in this category: Declarations of love and devotion from somebody recently met online. Most of us, most of the time, listen to that voice and But a surprising number of people do get seduced, literally or figuratively, by scams. They bite, get hooked and get reeled in. Some time later, after a great deal of pain and financial loss, they realize or are finally prepared to admit —sometimes forced to do so by people who care about them — that they have been duped. And do they ever feel dumb. How could someone so smart or successful fall for that scam? Shouldn’t you have seen it coming? The truth is that the

simply hang up, delete the email or ignore the offer.

people who orchestrate such frauds are experts at finding and exploiting their victims’ vulnerabilities.

As a board member of Crime Prevention Ottawa, I recently chaired a public forum on romance fraud. This is a scam where one person gets artfully persuaded that the love of their life is at the other end of the email/chat exchange, and that he/she will finally meet that perfect woman/man. They just need to first send money to pay for airfare, help out with medical bills, assist with this month’s rent, etc. Of all the scams out there, this is perhaps the most painful and personal, with victims not only robbed of money but also emotionally violated. They have opened themselves up, shared intimate details and sent money, often repeatedly. The substantial emotional and financial investment makes it all the more difficult to heed the warning signals, take the advice of well-meaning friends, contact the police and, especially, walk away from the “relationship.” My involvement with Crime Prevention Ottawa has made me aware of who the victims and perpetrators are, how we can prevent or minimize the cost and pain, and just how widespread this crime might be. Romance fraud is happening all around us. No particular demographic is either immune or particularly vulnerable. Highly educated professionals, members of law enforcement and the military, and low-income single parents — anyone can be duped. I also learned that it’s an under-reported crime, because victims often don’t realize they’re being scammed until it’s too late, and by then they’re too embarrassed to want to admit it or tell anyone about it. Finally, when it comes to romance fraud, it’s very difficult to catch the perpetrators, convict them or seek any kind of restitution. Far easier is PREVENTING romance fraud and other kinds of scams. The key is awareness: When you know what a scam looks like at the very outset, you will be much less likely to bite. Thanks to a grassroots group of victims, you can learn everything you could ever want to know about romance scams — how to identify them, how to approach loved ones who are victimized, the most effective ways to intervene, and how to report this crime — at romancescams.org. I also recommend The Little Black Book of Scams, a comprehensive resource that covers all kinds of cons, published in English and French by the Competition Bureau of Canada. You’ll find an electronic version and information on obtaining print copies in the Publications section of CompetitionBureau.gc.ca. Remember, when suspicious sounding charities show up at your door, when deep-discount home improvement flyers appear in your mailbox, when you’re offered a CPR course if you pay in advance by credit card, or if you get an email asking for help from the widow of a Nigerian minister of finance — it really is too good to be true. CS

Councillor David Chernushenko David.Chernushenko@Ottawa.ca | www.capitalward.ca 613-580-2487 58

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

f you or someone you love lives with a disability, you may know that abuse is a very real problem. That’s why Connecting on Disability and Abuse, together with Crime Prevention Ottawa, launched a new booklet to help

people understand abuse against persons with disabilities—and what they can do about it. While anyone can experience abuse, it is important to understand that it’s happening and to speak up. The booklet, Abuse Against Persons with Disabilities, details the various forms of abuse. They include physical, sexual, psychological, financial or material, neglect or desertion, spiritual and home takeovesrs. It also tells people what to do if they are being abused, and how to say no to abuse and violence. It provides information about resources that victims, their families and caregivers can access to get help. This booklet is a first for Ottawa—and is already in huge demand. Download the booklet today at www.crimepreventionottawa.ca under “Disabilites and Abuse.” Print copies of the booklet can be ordered by emailing cpo@ottawa.ca. CS

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

ÂŠcopyright iStockphoto.com | stockyimages

CRIME STOPPERS IS A PARTNERSHIP OF THE PUBLIC, POLICE AND MEDIA WHICH PROVIDES THE COMMUNITY WITH A PROACTIVE PROGRAM TO ANONYMOUSLY ASSIST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.

e were formed in 1985 by a group of local business people who heard about the success of this program in other communities.Â Serving Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Capital and Area, including the municipalities of Ottawa, Prescott Russell and Western Quebec, Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, locally run program. Crime Stoppers is based on the simple principle that for every crime committed someone, other than the criminal, has information that might solve it. The program was created to combat the three major problems faced by law enforcement in generating that information. These include: fear of reprisal, an attitude of apathy and a reluctance to get involved. Crime Stoppers resolves these problems by offering anonymity to persons who provide information about crimes, and paying rewards when the information supplied leads to arrest. Information is received through the anonymous Crime Stoppers TIPS line, secure web connection or mobile text. We offer cash rewards of up to $2000 to anonymous callers when their information assists the police in recovering stolen property, seizing illegal drugs and guns or when an arrest is made.

The National Capital Area Crime Stoppers program, has recovered almost $91 million worth of stolen property and illicit drugs since the program began in 1985. Every year dozens of crimes ranging from minor thefts to murders are solved because someone knows who committed the crime, and that information comes to Crime Stoppers as a confidential anonymous tip. There are 38 Crime Stoppers program in the province of Ontario and 105 across Canada. Our civilian program works closely with law enforcement, accepting tips at our 613-233TIPS (8477) phone number. Anyone in Canada can call 1-800222-TIPS (8477) and be connected to their closest locally operated Crime Stoppers program free of charge.

HISTORY

When a young college student, Michael Carmen, was shot to death during a robbery at an Albuquerque, New Mexico gas station in July 1976, Detective Greg MacAleese had no idea who was responsible for the killing. No witnesses came forward and it appeared the senseless and brutal shotgun slaying would remain a mystery. MacAleese, who worked for a newspaper before joining the Albuquerque Police Department, knew something innovative would be necessary to encourage the public to get involved and help solve the murder. He conceived the idea of producing a video re-enactment of the homicide, guaranteed anonymity for anyone who was willing to call him with information and put up a reward from his own pocket to encourage someone to provide a lead that would help identify those responsible for the murder of Carmen. It seemed almost unnecessary to take such extraordinary steps to solve the killing of Carmen. It was a case that should have outraged the community and brought forth many witnesses. Carmen was only two weeks away from getting married and had taken an extra shift at the gas station to give a co-worker the night off. When police responded to an emergency call they found Carmen gravely wounded. He’d been shot in the abdomen at point blank range with a 12-guage shotgun. The medical staff kept him alive for four hours and during that time he tried to tell detectives who was responsible, but he just didn’t have the strength to form the words. MacAleese’s plan to identify those responsible for killing Carmen worked. Within a few hours after the recreation of the murder was broadcast on television station KOAT, he received a phone call. The video image had triggered the memory of a person who heard a loud bang in the vicinity of the gas bar and then saw a car driving off. The caller told MacAleese the vehicle belonged to a resident in a nearby apartment complex. Through investigation MacAleese and a team of detectives arrested two men within 72 hours and charged them with the murder of Carmen and a string of armed robberies. MacAleese received other calls following the re-enactment, including one that allowed police to solve the rape of a young woman. Realizing that this type of program might be useful in fighting crime, MacAleese convinced the Albuquerque Police Department to allow a group of citizens to establish the first Crime Stoppers program. 64 c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

For his efforts Detective MacAleese was named one of the people in the 1970’s that changed the face of the United States and was also named the country’s Police officer of the Year.1

COMMUNITY

The Crime Stoppers program has helped the police on countless investigations by providing information received from the public that is anonymous and confidential. Who would have conceived the impact that detective MacAleese, a Canadian born detective working in Albuquerque New Mexico, would have when he decided to air a re-enactment on public television. With the help of local media he was able to reach out to the public for information and by guaranteeing anonymity, along with a cash reward, he soon received the tip needed to solve the murder case. Since 1985 the National Capital area Crime Stoppers has received just over 43,000 tips that resulted in 4,672 arrests, 8,241 charges laid and over 5000 cases solved. This is just in national capital area alone! Clearly the program is very effective in helping law enforcement solve crime and improve the quality of life for the residents of this city. This however, would not be possible without the help of the community. 1

c s i w o r l d . o rg / o u r - h i s to r y

YOUR TIPS ARE NEEDED!

OTTAWA: FATAL HIT & RUN ON FRANK KENNY RD. – JANUARY 10, 2014

The Ottawa Police Collision Investigation Unit and Crime Stoppers are seeking the public’s assistance with a fatal hit and run collision that occurred on Sunday August 11th 2013 shortly after 5:00am on Frank Kenny Road. The incident involving a motor vehicle and pedestrian collision claimed the life of a 30 year old male. Investigators are asking for witnesses who may have been traveling along Frank Kenny Rd (between Russell Rd and McFadden Rd) at around that time to contact the police or Crime Stoppers. The suspect vehicle may have sustained damages as a result. If you have information about the identity of the vehicle or suspect please contact the Ottawa Police Collision unit at 613-236-1222 ext 2481 or call Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS (8477), toll free at 1-800-222-8477. You can follow us on facebook, youtube and twitter. Remember Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, we will not record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to an arrest or a charge, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000.

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

YOUR TIPS ARE NEEDED!

Seeking assistance in solving two retail robberies – APRIL 11, 2014

The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit and Crime Stoppers are seeking the public’s assistance in solving two robberies at the same location. On December 3, 2013, at approximately 20:40 hrs, two suspects, both masked and armed with handguns, entered a furniture store situated along the 1700 block of Heron Road. The suspects went to the store offices and demanded cash of multiple employees. A handgun was pointed at one store employee at the time. A cell phone was taken from one employee but the suspects fled the scene otherwise emptyhanded. There were no injuries. THE SUSPECTS ARE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: #1: Black male, 5’3 -5’5 (160 cm -165 cm), small build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a while logo on the front #2: Black male, 5’8 -5’10 (173 cm – 178 cm), approximately 18 years, skinny build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a “P” on it (see attached image.) On March 6, 2014, two persons entered the same store again. Two customers were pushed to the floor by one suspect, while the second went behind a counter and approached a store employee. A demand was made for cash. The suspects again fled empty-handed. There were no injuries. THE SUSPECTS ARE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: #1: Caucasian male, 5’7 -5’9 (170 cm -175 cm), 240 lbs (109 kg), heavyset, hunched back, English speaking, wearing a black or dark blue coat with white/silver horizontal stripe across the front midsection, dark boots, red gloves.

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

#2: Possibly a Caucasian female, 5’7″(170 cm), 210 lbs (95 kg), heavy set, English speaking, wearing a dark jacket with logo vertically up right side, red hooded-style sweater underneath, dark pants, black rubber boots, and was referred to as “John” or “Johnny” by suspect #1 (see attached images.) At the time of the second robbery, a potential vehicle of interest was observed parked, possibly waiting, at the Herongate Mall. The vehicle was being driven by a male with short hair “styled upwards”. There is a strong likelihood that these incidents are connected. Anyone with information with respect to this robbery, or any other robbery, is asked to contact the Robbery Unit at 613-2361222 ext. 5116 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.You can follow us on facebook, youtube and twitter. Remember Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, we will not record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to an arrest or a charge, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000.

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

YOUR TIPS ARE NEEDED! Ottawa: Suspect involved in Account Takeovers OPS61697 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;MARCH 28, 2014

The Ottawa Police Fraud Unit and Crime Stoppers are seeking the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistance with the identity of a female involved in bank takeovers. On Tuesday March 11th 2014, a female suspect attended a financial institution and attempted to access a bank account using forged documents. The unidentified female is believed to have attended several banks in the Ottawa- Gatineau area involved in account takeovers. Please view the attached photos. Desc; female, straight brown hair and stud piercing on both cheeks. Identity fraud prevention TIPS If you have information about the identity of the suspect or other criminal activity call Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS (8477), toll free at 1-800-222-8477. You can follow us on facebook, youtube and twitter. Remember Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, we will not record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to an arrest or a charge, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

The program is managed by a group of volunteers from the business community who make up the board of directors. The president, Mr. Richard McMullen, along with a dedicated team spends countless hours throughout the year on fundraising, marketing and events planning. There is a police coordinator and civilian assistant who are on loan to the Crime Stoppers program and are responsible for managing the tips and provide support to the Crime Stoppers Board. Throughout the year Crime Stoppers volunteers participate in parades, and local festivals such as the Orleans Christmas Parade of Lights, Navan Fair and Blackburn Hamlet Festival, to name a few, to help raise awareness in the community. Other means of raising awareness are countless presentations to community groups and participation on committees and community associations. These important initiatives are to raise awareness of the benefits of the crime stoppers program and its effectiveness on reducing crime but also provides an opportunity to talk with people. Although many have heard of Crime Stoppers from seeing it on television during the news hour, some remain unfamiliar with it. In keeping with the times and the expansion of social media, Crime Stoppers now focuses on new media such as our website, Facebook and Twitter to connect with the broader community. During Crime Stoppers month every January the police coordinator along with volunteers attend a number of public malls and set up an information table inviting the public to drop by and ask questions about the program.

YOUR TIPS ARE NEEDED!

OTTAWA: ROBBERY OF ANOTHER ELDERLY FEMALE IN CARLINGWOOD AREA – MAY 23, 2014

The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit and Crime Stoppers are seeking the public’s assistance with the identity of a male suspect responsible for the robbery of another elderly female in the same area as the previous two robberies. On May 20, 2014, a female victim, age 85, was walking along Iroquois Rd. at approximately 2:00 pm. The victim uses a walker to assist her. As the victim turned onto Haymarket St. from Iroquois Rd., the suspect approached her from behind and grabbed her purse.

t h S e p te pp e rs Yo u C r ime St o

m b e r 26

2013

In 2011 a report was produced to look at creative solutions to addressing the lack of reporting by vulnerable residents of serious criminal and public disorder activities. The project supporters were Ottawa Community Housing and Crime Prevention Ottawa. Since then, Crime Stoppers remains committed to continuing this initiative by working with local organizations such as Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Center and Vanier Community Service Center. In 2012 the Crime Stoppers embarked on an initiative aimed at promoting the program among the youth. As part of a major donation by Economical Insurance, one of the strategies identified was to create more awareness on reporting crime that would otherwise be dismissed or ignored by youths. Working collaboratively, the Ottawa Police and Youth Advisory Committee, Youths in Policing Initiative, Canterbury High school and school board officials produced a video that will be launched in spring 2014.

The suspect fled through a parking garage at the Carlingwood Mall. The victim was not injured. The suspect is described as being a Caucasian male, approximately 5’10″ (178 cm) tall, thin build, with short dark hair. He was wearing a black shirt and black pants at the time. This is the third similar incident in this area, which the Robbery Unit believes are likely linked. The Ottawa Police Service is asking people in this area to be vigilant as the investigation progresses. In one previous incident the suspect used a bicycle. Investigators are seeking any information from the public on a possible suspect in these robberies. Anyone with information with respect to either of these incidents, or any other robbery, is asked to contact the Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5116 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.You can follow us on facebook, youtube and twitter. Remember Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, we will not record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to an arrest or a charge, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000.

s u p p o rt i n g o u r a dv e rt i s e r s s u p p o rt s c r i m e s e n s e

How to contact Crime Stoppers

There are three (3) methods which the public can use to send information to Crime Stoppers anonymously and confidentially. You can call, type or text your tip to Crime Stoppers. To ensure your information and identity remains anonymous we invite you to follow the steps below. CALL: 613-233-TIPS (8477) or toll free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) anywhere in North America. TYPE: To enter a tip online, visit our website and submit the completed form. For reward purposes, you will be given a unique code number. Do not disclose it to anyone other than the tip operator when you call Crime Stoppers for an update.

Cr ime St oppe rs

Sa nt a Pa rade Or

le an s No v 30 20

TEXT- Using your mobile device text to: CRIMES (274637) then in the message field type in the key word “tip252” followed by your information. You can send pictures and video – all anonymously. The keyword “tip252” indicates the information you are providing is sent to the National Capital Area (Ottawa-Gatineau). Following your tip a confirmation reference number will be sent to you. This reference number allows you to follow up with Crime Stoppers at a later date whether the tip resulted in an arrest. Do not lose or disclose this number to anyone except Crime Stoppers. Remember- Texting your tip is confidential and anonymous. Please do not add any information that could identify you such as your email address, your name, or your phone number.

Factoids;

• A language line (translation service) to support non-English speaking callers to Crime Stoppers • In 2013 3,467 tips were received, resulting in 33 criminal charges being laid. • Most Crime Stoppers tips are drug related and since 1985, $80 million of cash, drugs and plants seized as a result. • Tips have resulted in 427 firearms recoveries since 1985 • Crime Stoppers also receives TIPS on animal abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, traffic offences, terrorism, elder abuse, thefts, metal theft and tampering, by-law offences, illegal hunting, poaching, smuggling, sale of contraband cigarettes, etc… • Financed through personal and corporate donations CS

www.crimestoppers.ca

c r i m e s e n s e m ag . c o m

Sc ot iab an k Cr ime

St oppe rs Se p13 20