Sept. 12, 2013
Vancouver Sun – Daniel Fontaine
Aging poses new challenges for justice system – Opinion: We need more attention, resources that addresses issue of aggressive seniors with dementia
Here’s a look at the problem of senior citizens involved in the justice system because of aggressive behaviours, sometimes with dementia included. Dementia, however, does not exclude arrest, jail, psychiatric assessment and perhaps more jail time. Discourse and preventative measures are generally exclusively within the health perspective. http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Aging+poses+challenges+justice+system/8890245/story.html
Lawyer’s Weekly – Cristine
Grappling with the challenge of fetal alcohol disorder in law -Prenatal alcohol exposure ‘quite clearly prevalent,’ judge says
Chief Judge Carol Snell of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Court knew something was wrong when a man slurred his speech and was unable to repeat in his words what she said to him. After an assessment rather than a sentence, the man was discovered to have significant development problems from FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) and not fit to stand trial. “University of Toronto law professor Kent Roach, who in 2008 examined in-depth how the criminal law addresses FASD, agreed “the criminal justice system has a lot of work to do” to adjust to challenges posed by FASD.” http://www.lawyersweekly.ca/index.php?section=article&volume=33&number=18&article=1
Huffington Post – Shahla Khan Salter
The Quebec Charter Will Ghettoize Muslims
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has an opinion on the notion of banning religious symbols: “The charter is an absolute violation not just of Canadian morals and ethics, but of what has made our country successful. If we are not able to attract the very best people from around the world to want to work and learn and invest and raise families in this country, we don’t have a future as a country.” http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/shahla-khan-salter/quebec-charter-of-values_b_3907029.html Related article: Huffington Post Quebec Charter Of Values: PQ Gets Support From SFPQ Union http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/09/11/quebec-charter-of-values_n_3907557.html
Restorative Justice in British Columbia
Restorative Justice in Education
Here’s a helpful connection between RJ and the starting of the new school year, including a RJ style of having meetings.http://www.rjbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Sept-2013-r.pdf
Restorative Justice in BC
Heartspeak: Addressing Trauma
Addressing Trauma with Dr. Joe Solanto is a three part series from a March conference that is a must see for those assisting with victims’ trauma. Part 1. The Impact of Trauma (37:30 min) Part 2. Trauma and the Brain (56:49 min) Part 3. The Dynamics Dance (9:36 min) http://www.rjbc.ca/2013/09/04/heartspeak-addressing-trauma
California Healthline
Gov. Brown, Lawmakers Reach Deal on Inmate Reduction Strategy
Governor Brown and the state legislators have agreed on a compromise to resolve the federal court orders to reduce the over-crowding in California. Brown will ask for an extension from the federal court and the state will spend $400 million on rehabilitation services. http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2013/9/10/brown-lawmakers-reach-deal-on-inmate-reduction-strategy
BBC News (UK) Tom Symonds
Getting my mugger to explain why
Robbed at knife point, Symonds, a reporter, decided to follow-up on an opportunity to meet his assailant who was serving a four year sentence. The inmate’s parents are there as well. Symonds wanted to know why, a topic sometimes avoided as not helpful in RJ process. He gets an answer but more questions too. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24022774
Restorative Works Learning Networks (UK)
Swansea, Wales, UK, on the path to becoming a restorative city
Hilary Davies, the restorative practices project manager for the city and county of Swansea, Wales, UK, wrote the following post to discuss the region’s efforts to become a restorative city.http://restorativeworks.net/2013/09/swansea-wales-uk-on-the-path-to-becoming-a-restorative-city/?utm_source=eForum+Weekly+Highlights+September+10%2C+2013&utm_campaign=Weekly+eForum+Highlights&utm_medium=email
Guardian (UK) – Alexandra Topping
Abuse of Asian girls missed because of focus on white victims, says report
The report, entitled Unheard Voices: the sexual exploitation of Asian girls and young women, comes from the Muslim Women’s Network UK. and is creating quite a stir. The report is suggesting that fro fear of bringing shame on the family, the number of sexual assaults is hugely under-reported to police. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims
Winnipeg Free Press – Patricia O’Campo
Social policy is strong health policy
Health equity researchers try to measure the relationship between social conditions and the health outcomes. Try this conclusion: “Our evidence also suggests if we were able to ensure all new mothers in Canada had household incomes of more than $50,000 a year, we could reduce the occurrence of multiple health problems in pregnancy by 60 per cent.” Low income seems to have a widespread impact on a number of social problems. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/social-policy-is-strong-health-policy-222921361.html