STOPWATCH - 1996, Volume V

High-Risk Offender Bill a 'Gutsy' Move

On September 17, 1996, federal Justice Minister Allan Rock tabled long awaited legislation (Bill C-55) to deal with high-risk offenders. The legislation specifically targets those sex offenders believed to be at a high risk to reoffend once their sentence has been served. If passed into law, this legislation would allow supervision of high-risk offenders after their release from prison.

The new legislation would:

• Create a "long-term offender" designation for sex offenders at a high risk to reoffend and would allow judges to impose 10 years additional post-sentence supervision;
• Amend the Dangerous Offender provision of the Criminal Code to:
  
  • make an indefinite term of imprisonment mandatory,
    
  • allow the Crown up to 6 months after conviction to apply to have someone declared a Dangerous Offender, and
    
  • have a Dangerous Offender's status reviewed after 7 years instead of the current 3;
• Allow judges to order the electronic monitoring of individuals who pose a serious threat to another person.

CAVEAT President Priscilla de Villiers stated that her daughter Nina might be alive today if this new legislation had been in place five years ago. Mrs. de Villiers believes Bill C-55 makes real progress in filling the gaps in the justice system by targeting high-risk offenders with a propensity for violence.

The legislation creates a new category of criminals ­ "long-term offenders". The new legislation specifically targets sex offenders, a group of offenders among whom the rate of recidivism (re-offending) is particularly high. At the present time, there is nothing in the system that allows for any further monitoring of an offender after he has served his sentence, even if the authorities agree that the person is in grave danger of committing more offences. The possibility of high-risk offenders moving into their communities has been a concern for the public. This legislation would allow post-sentence supervision, for a period of up to 10 years, of those offenders most likely to reoffend.

Bill C-55 also amends the Dangerous Offender provisions of the Criminal Code. Currently, the crown must apply to have someone declared a Dangerous Offender before sentencing. The proposed legislation would give the Crown up to six months after a conviction to make the application. The sentence of an indefinite term of imprisonment would be mandatory. At the present time the judge may impose a fixed or an indefinite sentence. The new provisions also call for the review of the status of a Dangerous Offender after 7 years, instead of the current 3.

CAVEAT has insisted that changes to the Dangerous Offender application process were necessary to ensure public safety. The SafetyNet 1994 Final Report recommended that legislation be changed to allow applications to be made at any point during the time of incarceration to ensure that Dangerous Offenders, identified as such after sentencing, are not released. CAVEAT is concerned that although the crown's window of opportunity has been widened, the issue of the violent predator who is identified as being dangerous to society after the six-month period is not addressed by Bill C-55.

The amendment that is provoking the most controversy is the judicial restraints provision which allows a judge to impose surveillance measures on an individual who is believed to be a danger to another person. If a judge is satisfied that someone is going to cause serious personal injury he or she may order the electronic monitoring of that individual for one year (see below for an explanation of electronic monitoring). However, the fact that the individual need not have committed any offence worries some critics of the bill who claim that the provision would not withstand a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Justice Minister Rock is confident that the restraints provisions are constitutional. He states, "It's a smart and necessary move to ensure the safety of the streets."

Bill C-55 could be a valuable tool for violence prevention. However, a particular piece of legislation is only as effective as its administration. For it to successfully "ensure the safety of the streets," the courts and the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) must be committed to its full implementation. The courts must be willing to apply this legislation across the country so that high-risk offenders do not slip from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The CSC must also demonstrate its ability and commitment to administer this law responsibly in order for it to be effective. The Auditor General, in two reports, stated clearly that CSC has not demonstrated the capability of adequately reintegrating and managing offenders in the community and has called upon the CSC to get its house in order. Moreover, CAVEAT is concerned that government cutbacks might be used as an excuse in not enforcing the provisions of Bill C-55 as rigidly as possible. The people of Canada must demand accountable administration of all legislation.

ELECTRONIC MONITORING ­ WHAT IS IT?

As discussed in the article above, Bill C-55 contains an amendment to allow for the electronic monitoring of individuals who pose a serious threat to another person. Electronic monitoring is a program that uses computers to track the movements of convicts who have been released into the community on parole or other form of conditional release. The offender wears a transmitter in an ankle or arm bracelet. If the offender strays a certain distance from a receiver unit attached to a telephone, an alarm is triggered in the monitoring centre. British Columbia was the first province to experiment with electronic monitoring in the late 1980s. Since then, systems have been set up by Saskatchewan, Ontario, Newfoundland and the Yukon.

Healing: Mind, Body, Spirit, Society

On July 16, 1996, CAVEAT BC's Chris Simmonds and Lillian Fuller travelled to Terrace, British Columbia to be keynote speakers at a Voices Against Violence rally. Over 700 people packed the local park and listened to speeches from the First Nations Peoples. Below is the transcript of a speech made by a member of the Circle of Harmony Healing Society.

Sim-gi-ghet, Sig-i-dim-nak. Hello, and welcome to you all ­ youth, women and men.

My Gitksan name is Ged-a-wil-zepq. I belong to the house of Mali and I'm originally from Cedarvale. I work for the Circle of Harmony Healing Society here in Terrace in Tsimshian Territory.

I am speaking today from a native perspective given the history of residential school experience, the Indian Act and banning of the potlatches, etc. It is because of this type of legislation that First Nations People have now to deal with many inter-generational social issues, such as loss of language, disconnection from our roots and culture, alcoholism, low self-esteem, almost no self-determination, family violence and sexual abuse.

There is only one of those that I did not experience, and that is alcoholism. I witnessed a lot of violence as a child and was also violated against. As a young woman, I again experienced very violent trauma to the point where I was almost killed. This happened when the doctors didn't have to report severe battering. I don't think there was a transition house either, but luckily I had extended family who helped look after my children while I healed in the hospital for almost three months. I then made a stand for myself and my children to live in a no violence, no alcohol, no disrespect environment. In other words, a safe place of our own.

As you know, violence can have long-lasting, devastating effects on any individual be it child, woman or man. And, one of the most important things that I realized when I was depressed about what had happened to me was that while I was busy internalizing everything and staying home not wanting to go anywhere, that it was like I was still allowing those people ­ who hurt me in the past ­ still allowing them control of my life. I realized that I had to get past the anger and shame, that I wasn't responsible for the violence that was inflicted upon me. In order for healing to begin when we are dealing with family violence we need to learn to like and love ourselves again, after of course rejecting any violation against our Mind, Body and Spirit.

We each have an inherent right to feel safe and to feel good about ourselves. If we were to appreciate each other in the same way that we show appreciation for blue skies, a gentle rainfall or a flower for example, just think of the change eventually in our attitudes, our behaviours. We may even get to understand our differences and become tolerant of each other's beliefs. But we each have to start with ourselves. Violence is a learned behaviour which some of us believe can be unlearned as long as the offender is willing to take full responsibility for his or her behaviour. We need to remember that we can't make the changes that need to be made within those people who violate others, but we can help them to make those changes. We can also make a stand against violence of any sort within our own lives and ensure that the cycle doesn't continue for us and our children. If we are afraid all the time, doesn't that keep us in the 'victim' state? By living in fear all the time we may be making our own children very insecure and fearful or timid. We have to change that somehow.

Healing is possible! But, for those who are in denial and choose not to see that what they are doing is wrong, there must be laws to ensure protection from their destructive behaviour, and those laws must be enforced.

But at the other end of the scale, we must provide a forum for healing for both victims and offenders, for learning, for understanding, to help people get past the anger and shame, to learn self-respect and love. Who are the greatest teachers of love? Our children, who are gifts to us. We are supposed to nurture them, cuddle them, protect them and teach them respect for everything around them. In turn, they are able to show that to their friends, relatives and eventually to someone they will cherish and respect. They in turn will be able to love and respect their children. There, you have an example of love, of faith, a cycle of non-violence.

The Circle of Harmony Healing Society can be reached by telephone
at (604) 638-2204.

Ontario Announces Strict Discipline Program for Violent Youths

Acting upon a recommendation of the government-appointed strict discipline task force, Ontario Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services Robert Runciman has announced a pilot project for the treatment of male repeat young offenders. According to Mr. Runciman the objective of the program will be "to enhance community safety by reducing the rate at which young offenders reoffend. This will be achieved through instilling self-discipline and personal responsibility in an intensive regimented program."

The program will target a very specific group: 16 and 17-year-old serious habitual male offenders. About 30 to 50 high-risk repeat offenders will take part in a strict discipline program consisting of highly structured, 16-hour days that stress mandatory education and life skills development, earned privileges, rigorous physical activities, community service and minimal idle time.

The pilot project will consist of a primary secure custody facility and a secondary intense community supervision facility. The offenders will spend 4 to 6 months in the primary facility and a further 3 to 6 months in the secondary facility. The project will be evaluated regularly and, if found to be successful, could be extended to other young offender facilities.

It is important to recognize that the majority of crimes are committed by a minority of young offenders and that individuals who frequently commit serious crimes in their youth often continue to do so as adults. As the existing system has not been successful in the rehabilitation of this group, other measures must be found to break the pattern of their habitual criminal behaviour and to prevent their graduation to the adult justice system.

Because of Ontario's two-tiered system for young offenders, those under 16 will not be eligible to take part in this pilot project. While the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Corrections is responsible for the administration of sentences for 16 and 17-year-old offenders, The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services is in charge of young offenders aged 12 to 15.

Apart from the restrictions of the narrow target group, CAVEAT is concerned with the sentence length. Behaviour modification takes time. Is a sentence of 7 to 12 months long enough to achieve this rehabilitation? We will be watching the experiment with great interest.

Send CAVEAT Your E-mail Address

CAVEAT frequently issues press releases in response to current issues surrounding violence. If you would like to receive via e-mail a copy of these press releases and notices of CAVEAT activities, send us a message at info@caveat.org containing your name, e-mail address and the text, "Please add me to your e-mail mailing list."

V-chip Hits Technical Snags

Broadcasters need more time to set up TV violence rating system

On October 4, 1996, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced a one-year delay in implementing an electronic rating system to block unwanted television programming. Earlier this year the CRTC had announced a deadline of September for broadcasters to launch a V-chip-based rating system to help parents protect their children against excessive television violence. However, the Action Group on Violence on Television, representing the television broadcast industry, has asked the CRTC for more time. The group cites technical snags and insufficient testing as reasons for the delay.

The "parent-friendly" system was to rate the shows according to their level of violence, sexual content and offensive language. By September 1996, Canadian programmers were expected to encode their programs, enabling parents to identify and block undesirable television programs by activating the V-chip. Keith Spicer, CRTC chairman at the time of the announcement, called the micro-chip a "technical tool that will help parents make informed decisions about the programs they consider suitable for their families." Because of the delay, they will have to wait a bit longer to make those informed decisions.

The CRTC's call for a rating system was the result of a comprehensive consultation process which included the public, members of the broadcasting industry, and other parties, including CAVEAT, concerned with the issue. Almost all who took part agreed that violence in television programming has negative effects on children. Educators, in particular, expressed concern over the escalation of violent behaviour and desensitization among children. Almost all participants agreed that action had to be taken to address the issue.

The enormous concern of the public was also reflected in the success of Virginie Larivière's petition demanding legislation banning all television violence, which she believed to have been a factor in her sister's rape and murder. Ms. Larivière collected more than 1.5 million signatures. What is even more remarkable is that, at the time, Ms. Larivière was only 13 years old.

Armed with this evidence of widespread national support and the results of studies that showed a definite link between television violence and violence in society, the CRTC launched its initiative "to protect children from the harmful effects of TV violence, while preserving freedom of expression for creators and choice for adult viewers." (Respecting Children ­ A Canadian Approach to Helping Families Deal with Television Violence, CRTC)

"By the time the average boy or girl graduates from elementary school, they will have seen something like 8,000 murders (on visual media). On average, they will have seen 100,000 different acts of violence. By the time they graduate from high school, they will have seen 16,000 televised shootings and overall, 300,000 acts of violence."

­ Dr. Peter Jaffe, London Family Court Clinic, speaking at the SafetyNet 1995 opening forum: From Olson to Bernardo: Who's Watching Our Kids?

V-chip Just One Tool in the Fight Against Violence on Television

CAVEAT considers this technical tool just the beginning of a growing understanding that as a society we have a primary responsibility to provide optimum protection for our children and youths. However, the V chip on its own will not guarantee that protection. The family, community and schools must work together as partners to reinforce and support the healthy development of our children. Government on its own should no longer be entrusted with the task of interpreting community standards. It is time that the silent majority be given a vehicle to contribute their voice to the debate on the standards acceptable to the community at large. For too long these decisions have been driven by vested interests and haunted by the spectre of censorship.

Where freedom of speech becomes licence to impinge upon and violate the most vulnerable members of our society ­ our children ­ then we must all re-evaluate and reflect on the need to protect vulnerable groups from victimization, exploitation and violence by judicious limitations without destroying the delicate balance between freedom of speech and irresponsible licence.

CAVEAT's SafetyNet conferences have assembled Canada's leading experts in the areas of crime prevention, victims' rights and justice reform. At SafetyNet 1995, the working group examining the "Vulnerabilities of Youth in Society Today" identified a major area of concern as being "the massive and continual exposure of children and youth to violence and to violent and sexually explicit material which perpetuates dysfunctional relationships." The working group agreed, "This exposure and de sensitization limits the potential of children and youth to develop into fully contributing members of society and often even leads to their becoming offenders." It called for an increase in awareness and education regarding the effects of this massive exposure to violence.

Recommendation #4 (parts E through H) ­ Reducing Exposure to Pervasive Violence

E) IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT Government set up mechanisms by which community standards can be identified. For example, it should establish a national 1-800 line.

F) IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT the Government of Canada enact laws, regulations and policies to restrict and ultimately eliminate the manufacture, production and distribution of materials which degrade, de-humanize or glorify violence.

G) IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT Government consider the rating of toys and entertainment items for their level of violence in a method similar to movie ratings.

H) IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT organizations like the CRTC make protection of children and youth a priority in regards to the elimination of commercialization and glorification of sex and violence.

The complete recommendations from each of the SafetyNet conferences are compiled in the SafetyNet 1994 Final Report and the SafetyNet 1995 Final Report. These reports have been presented to federal, provincial and territorial governments to inform them of the concerns of the Canadian public. CAVEAT's role is to ensure that the governments across Canada heed this collective call for change. Copies of the SafetyNet final reports can be purchased from CAVEAT for $10 each (please see the back page of this STOPWATCH for information on how to contact the CAVEAT office nearest you).

Youth Challenge '96 a Huge Success

Over 400 British Columbia students packed Surrey's Sheraton Guildford hotel on October 21st for CAVEAT Youth Challenge '96 ­ a day-long anti violence conference.

The event, organized by CAVEAT BC and modeled after Youth Challenge '93 and '94 held in Ontario, featured several high-energy speakers including Serge LeClerc ­ a rehabilitated criminal who described himself as one of the most violent in the system. LeClerc encouraged students to turn their backs on media images which glamourize sex, drugs, alcohol and violence and stressed that it is up to them to take action to improve the world in which we live. His address prompted a standing ovation from the audience.

The students then took part in educational workshops on such topics as harassment and intimidation, dating and relationships, stalking, white supremacists, strategies for safe schools, and safe travelling.

B.C. Premier Glen Clark was on hand to present the 1996 CAVEAT Youth Awards (see page 6). He later autographed CAVEAT T-shirts and hats for several of the students.

The conference was a learning experience for all who attended. It is hoped that a ripple effect will be created when these students take their newfound knowledge and heightened awareness back to their schools. Watch for more coverage of Youth Challenge '96 in the next issue of STOPWATCH.

745 Amendments Pass 3rd Reading

The 745 amendments, discussed in the previous issue of STOPWATCH, passed a third vote in the House of Commons on October 2nd (122 votes to 67). Currently, under Section 745 of the Criminal Code, first degree murderers are allowed to apply for early parole eligibility after serving only 15 years of a life sentence. The new amendments aim to, among other things, prevent serial killers from being allowed to apply. CAVEAT supports the amendments as a first step toward the full repeal of s. 745. The amendments, known as Bill C-45, now await review by a Senate committee and must then pass a Senate vote before they can be given Royal Assent and proclaimed law.

Alberta's Victim Act

Bill 33, the Victims of Crime Act, "was given Royal Assent on May 24, 1996. Once the regulations for Bill 33 have been put into place, it is anticipated the new legislation will be proclaimed in early 1997. The Act will ensure that the rights of victims are recognized and respected throughout the criminal justice process." (On the Record, Alberta Justice).

CAVEAT Alberta will continue to work to ensure that greater emphasis is put on victims' rights and assistance. The need for trauma counselling and decent crimes compensation is great and has long been overlooked.
In other news, Alberta's Bill 214, the Victims of Domestic Violence Act, was recently scrapped in the Alberta Legislature on a procedural technicality.

Words of Wisdom on Violence

A class of grade 4 students from Caldwell Road Elementary School in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia recently took a stand against violence when they wrote to government to express their concerns about violence on television and the need for the V-chip. Upon receiving copies of the letters at CAVEAT, we were so impressed that we decided we had to share them with our readers.

Due to a space restrictions, we were only able to print five of the letters selected at random. However, we would like to recognize all of the students for their valuable contribution toward a safe, peaceful society:

Bryan
Caitie
Christopher
Craig
Doug
Jasmine
Kevin
Kyle
Marianne
Matthew
Megan
Michael F.
Michael O.
Stacey

Teacher: Tom McInnis

Keep up the good work! It is up to all of us to speak out against violence. One voice is a whisper, many a shout.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Do you agree that violence on T.V. should be stopped? I do and so I'm writing you.

Are you cognizant that people are assassinating and abusing because of shows on T.V.? Many people are perplexed by what is happening on T.V. and off also. I, for one, think that we should not televise these shows. They are hazardous to our health. People should start taking a stand because I know there's more than one person upset at these shows.

These shows are polluting our airways. We need more family shows. Lots of people think so. If you and I don't do something who will. I have a feeling you and the people of the government will get more than just one letter. I think you should have a conference. I hope you consider this and other ideas and will continue to fight for less violence.

Sincerely,

Caitie

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a grade 4 student at Caldwell Road Elementary School and I am writing to state my opinion on violence on television.

My personal view is that there is too much violence on television. I believe this because children, teenagers and adults get influenced by things they see on television and that is how I think people get killed by others that have seen movies with fighting and killing in them. Like the Power Rangers incident with the boys that watched Power Rangers and saw that they never died so they went and kicked, punched and threw rocks. It ended up a girl played too and they hit her in the head with a rock and she froze in the snow.

All these shows pollute the air waves and young adults perpetrate crimes. Some parents have a V-chip but others don't. Parents who work and aren't home to see what their children are watching should have one. I am adamant when I say I dislike adversial shows that are brainwashing peoples minds to do horible things. Something must be done! I am astounded how many inappropriate shows there are on T.V. However, some shows Road Runner and Tiny Toons have to have violence to be funny and if you took those shows off there would be no joy to television. Adults get influenced too by movies with violence. Something must be done to make our world more peaceful!

Sincerely,

Michael

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a grade 4 student at Caldwell Rd. School. I am writing in reference to T.V. violence.

I think that shows like Cops and Americas Most Wanted should be taken off T.V. because of the violence in these programs. The programs encourage children of our society to mimic the shows and sometimes hurt people. I'm sick and tired of the increasing amount of violence on T.V. It's polluting the airways and not to mention saturating kids and young adults minds with junk. It also influences poeple to perpetrate crimes. I'd like to see more family shows. I hope you think about this and please write back.

Sincerely,

Matthew

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a grade 4 student at Caldwell Rd. Elementary School and I am writing to you about T.V. violence.

My personal opinion is that their is to much violent shows on T.V. It influences children, teenagers, and young adults to be violent and perpetrate crimes. Violent shows are polluting airwaves. These shows plague children's minds with violence. Practally every time I turn on the T.V. there is violence.

There must be a plausible explantion as to why T.V. violence is not taken of the airwaves. I think every home should have a V-chip. I believe if we eradacate violence this world would be a better place.

Sincerely,

Michael

Dear Sir or Madam,

I'm a grade 4 student at Caldwell Road Elementary School. I'm sending you this letter because I'm very agitated about violence on T.V.

I think that T.V. violence influences little children because my little brother was trying to puncture the wall with a knife because he saw this being done on T.V. Lots of children are playing Power Rangers and hurting other people like their mothers and fathers. T.V. violence is one thing that something should be done about. I hope you are cognizant of how T.V. violence is causing people to get killed in our world. I'm bewildered why more is not being done to get rid of T.V. violence. The death rate is increasing very much because of T.V. violence plaguing our airways. Young adults and adults are committing most of the crimes. I think that if the late violent show are taken off the air maybe not as many adults will get ideas to kill. It's not safe to watch T.V. anymore because of all the violent shows. The violent cartoons are O.K. but I perfer that some of them should be taken off.

I hope you will continue to do something to eradicate violent shows on T.V.

Sincerely,

Jasmine

Congratulations, 1996 Youth Award Winners

This year's CAVEAT Youth Awards were presented in October to students across Canada who have demonstrated a dedication to the prevention and elimination of violence through an individual act or involvement in a project aimed at helping to stop violence. Nominations were received from the public and 42 award winners were selected:

• Kristy Ozubko, age 16, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Kristy was a key youth participant in the Limbrook/James Resource Centre Caring Community dialogue. Initiatives included set-up of the Children's Clothing Depot, McKenzie Street Coffee House for youth (drop in centre) and Thunder Bay Police area "walk arounds".
• Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School Step Squad, Hamilton, Ontario. This group of 17 secondary school students choreograph and perform a dynamic, energetic and motivating message of peace and non-violence.
• Kids for Peace, Beacon Hill School, Beaconsfield, Quebec. These elementary school students speak out and petition against television violence, child abuse, child labour, and they promote peacemaking at their school and in their community.
• The 1995/96 CAVEAT Youth Council Executive (Amy Kszyston ­ President, Trish Vanderkooy, Victor Abraham, Scott Smith, Melissa Crawford, Chris Guiliani, Alyson Murdoch, Gina Giammarco, Melissa Erskine). A special thank you goes out to the members of the 1995/96 Youth Council for their work in promoting violence awareness and offering a youth perspective to CAVEAT's work. The 1995/96 Youth Council organized a public forum on the Young Offenders Act and participated in working groups at CAVEAT's 1995 SafetyNet Conference.

Of the above winners, we were fortunate to have Ms. Ozubko, the Bishop Ryan Step Squad and members of the 1995/96 CAVEAT Youth Council join us to receive their awards in person at our Annual General Meeting on October 16th at the Sheraton in Hamilton, Ontario. CAVEAT Alberta presented the following two awards on October 25th in Edmonton at Teen Expo '96 at the Meadowlark Shopping Centre:

• Jenelle Gartner, age 16, Victoria High School, Edmonton, Alberta. Jenelle is the chairperson for her secondary school Crime Stoppers program. She promotes well-being through her leadership roles in school athletics and fund-raisers for community charities.
• Healthy Relationship Program, Jasper Place High School, Edmonton, Alberta. These secondary school students promote awareness and education through their Healthy Relationship Program which they facilitate and present. They promote the understanding that recognizing abusive relationships is an important step in crime prevention.

The following awards were presented at CAVEAT Youth Challenge '96 on October 21st at the Sheraton Guildford in Surrey, British Columbia (watch for full coverage of Youth Challenge '96 in our next issue of STOPWATCH):

• Power Pack (Jeff Dickinsen, Eric Fleming, Mike Clarke, Dennis Whitten), Edward Milne Community School, Sooke, B.C. These students have gone from direct involvement in vandalism, verbal and physical aggression and skipping school to discouraging others from doing the same.
• Jill Kaczur, Elgin Park Secondary School, Surrey, B.C. Jill co-founded and became a leader of the group Avalanche Outreach, whose goals are to raise teens' awareness on such issues as violence, drugs and sex.
• Kate Phillips, Edward Milne Community School, Sooke, B.C. Kate educated students about diversity and accepting people's differences and organized a week of workshops at her school. Her focus is on "self responsibility" and she has even linked drug use to violence against yourself.
• Youth Take a Stand (Elissa Sutton, Corinne Erickson, Nicole Hamm), Edward Milne Community School, Sooke, B.C. This group organized several workshops and a play that addressed the cycle of violence, different types of violence, and resources available to students.
• Lisa Lamont, Liz Gallie and Kathleen Davidson of Frank Hurt Secondary School, Surrey, B.C. These girls spend their baby-sitting money buying coffee, flowers and bus fare for strangers and performing other "random acts of kindness" throughout their community.

Honourable mentions were given to Rob Stedeford of Robert Bateman Secondary School in Abbotsford, B.C.; Sean Thorkilsen of Burnsview Jr. Secondary School in Delta, B.C.; Hannah Shears and Claire Srirangpong of Semiahmoo Secondary School in Surrey, B.C.; and Veronica Gutierrez of Margaret Stenersen Elementary School in Abbotsford, B.C.

CAVEAT is pleased that so many young people are showing such courage and leadership. We are also very pleased to see the increased interest in these awards from the Canadian public and media since they began in 1993. Several of this year's recipients were sought after for media interviews, and one community group in Thunder Bay, Ontario generously paid to have award winner Kristy Ozubko flown in to Hamilton to receive her award in person. We are glad to see these students getting the recognition they deserve. All of them are to be commended for their anti violence initiatives in their schools and for making their communities better, safer places for all Canadians.

Letter to the Editor

Dear CAVEAT:

I just read my first issue of STOPWATCH ­ 1996, Volume IV and was very impressed! As a matter of fact I was so impressed enclosed is my cheque for $25.00 for my very own subscription.

The article advertising for crafters caught my eye. A catalogue with mail order crafts is a wonderful idea. I do not have any crafts to submit at this time but I would be very interested in being part of this project as I am sure many others have also volunteered.

Yours very truly,

Joanne Ross
Hamilton, Ontario

Thank you, Joanne, for both your membership and your kind words. Yes, we are very proud of the new CAVEAT Gift Catalogue. We hope it will be a success! We continue to look for crafters, artists and volunteers to help us with the catalogue, which we hope to publish on a regular basis in the future. Anyone who is interested in helping with the project should contact Maddy at the CAVEAT office in Burlington at (905) 632-1733.
­ed.

CAVEAT Gift Catalogue Launched

CAVEAT's Annual General Meeting was held on October 16, 1996 at the Hamilton Sheraton and provided a review of CAVEAT's financial statements for the year ending April 30, 1996. Following the meeting were presentations of the CAVEAT Youth Awards and presentations of Certificates of Appreciation to those CAVEAT volunteers who have been appointed voting members (excluding board members). While it was this group of volunteers that was chosen to be honoured this particular evening, CAVEAT is grateful to all of its volunteers who contribute a great deal of their time and expertise and whom we could not function without.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the evening was the launching of our newest fund-raising project ­ the CAVEAT Gift Catalogue. Several of the catalogue items were on display, including the adorable puppets, the wine jackets, and the 16-foot red cedar canoe.

Everyone should have received a copy of the catalogue with this issue of STOPWATCH. If you did not receive your copy or would like additional copies for your friends or to distribute in your area, please contact CAVEAT at (905) 632-1733.

An Emotional Message

Organizers had worried: Would people come to hear Debbie Mahaffy and Priscilla de Villiers talk about the tragic abductions and murders of their daughters? Could the community bear to listen as the mothers relived the horrifying events that claimed two young girls and caused such overwhelming grief?

They came ­ more than 1,000 of them on Thursday night ­ and for many reasons. They came as a show of respect and support for these brave mothers and for Victims Services of Windsor and Essex County, which sponsored the event.

They came because society has come to fear the violent and the unexpected, and because it is too painfully clear that unspeakable crimes against our children can happen in even the smallest and friendliest communities.

They came because they believe in the need to lobby for changes to the Criminal Code, for stronger victims' rights and for volunteer organizations like Victim Services, which counsels those trying to hold together families in the aftermath of such terrible crimes.

Mahaffy and de Villiers touched the saddened hearts of those who listened. In return, their hearts were touched by the wonderful, caring, local volunteers who gently put victims' lives back together.

(Windsor Star, September 14, 1996)

The 1996 du Maurier Open

August19th was CAVEAT Day at the du Maurier Open at the National Tennis Centre in Toronto, Ontario. CAVEAT guests had the opportunity to watch some world class tennis and meet several of the players including Grant Connell, Daniel Nestor, Malavai Washington, Todd Martin and Pat Cash. We were all surprised when Eric Braeden of The Young and The Restless also dropped in for a visit at the CAVEAT marquée.

We are grateful to the du Maurier Open, the players, Tennis Canada, CAVEAT's Chris Pridham and Andrée Andrae and the CAVEAT volunteers for helping to make this fund-raising event possible.

Nina de Villiers Memorial Tennis

The idea of a tennis tournament to honour the memory of Nina de Villiers is not surprising to anyone who knew Nina and her love of the game. The exciting aspect of such a tournament is its tremendous success. Plans for the Sixth Annual Nina de Villiers Memorial Invitational Tennis Tournament are already in progress.

Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) staff member Blanka Guyatt, one of Nina's former teachers, originally proposed to organize a doubles tournament in Nina's name, both as a way of honouring her memory and providing more competition for area tennis players. With the enthusiastic help of Nina's former team-mates, a format for the First Nina de Villiers Memorial Invitational Tennis Tournament, that included good fun, good competition, good food and good memories, was planned. Invitations were sent to all Hamilton and Halton area secondary schools. On November 8, 1991, 72 players from 16 schools assembled to promote the game of tennis and to compete in one of the very few opportunities for tennis competition afforded high school teams in the area.

The tournament was held at the Mohawk Tennis Club which has sponsored and supported the event since its inception. Blanche Badenhorst, former tennis pro at Mohawk, chaired the first and all previous tournaments and will be back to assist with the mechanics of the 1997 affair. While the first competition was sponsored by many kind benefactors who supplied tennis balls, free food and refreshments, the event is now funded by HSC, its parents association and fund raising events held by the students. As well, a donation from the proceeds of the event has been made to CAVEAT each year.

The continuing success of the tournament speaks for itself. Independent schools have been added to the list of invitees and the 1996 tournament boasted 92 entrants from 20 schools. The high calibre of the tournament can be seen in the number of former participants who have gone on to accept university tennis scholarships, to play on Canadian varsity teams or to teach the rudiments of the game to the young, upcoming tennis talent.

The 1996 winners are as follows:

Mixed Doubles: Kambria Berkhout and Chris Loat of Ridley College, St. Catharines, Ontario.
Girls' Doubles: Michelle Greyling and Heather McGillivary of McNab Secondary School, Hamilton, Ontario.
Boys' Doubles: Scott McRoberts and Craig Richards of Nelson Secondary School, Burlington, Ontario.

The sixth annual tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 25, 1997. The organizing committee would like to expand and enlarge its base to allow greater participation from a larger region, but is in need of more volunteers and funding to make this possible. If you would like to help, please call CAVEAT at (905) 632-1733.

NEWSWATCH

Killer's Bid for Parole Denied

Cop killer and parole hopeful William Frederick was given a tip of the hat but little else on Friday, November 1, 1996. A jury rejected his Section 745 application for early parole eligibility following a three-week hearing and 28 hours of jury deliberation.

Instead of giving Frederick a three-year reduction, or at least a one-year break as "symbolic" validation of his character reformation as he sought, the jury offered only a statement encouraging him to continue his "positive" efforts. He must now remain in prison for a full 25 years.

Frederick, 39, has been in prison 19 years since his shotgun slaying of police Sergeant Ron McKean outside a Collingwood, Ontario hotel October 12, 1977. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder a year later.

Both the McKean family and the Frederick family referred to the three week Section 745 hearing as "brutal" and "destructive" as they were forced to relive the past. In the end there were no winners, just losers.

(Summary of an article in The Toronto Sun, November 2, 1996)

Upcoming Events

Peoples Jewellers Supports CAVEAT, November 21-23, 1996, Burlington, Ontario

Peoples Jewellers in the Burlington Mall will generously donate 10% of its net store sales (including repair sales) during November 21-23 to CAVEAT in the form of a gift certificate. Refreshments will be served and a CAVEAT table will be on display. Come out and say hello and help support a worthwhile cause!


A CAVEAT Workshop ­ "Monica's Story", November 28, 1996, Hamilton, Ontario

The CAVEAT Youth Council will host a public workshop at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Public Library (Central Location). CAVEAT's Dawna Speers will recount "Monica's Story" ­ the story of her daughter's relationship with an abusive and controlling boyfriend, which eventually led to her murder. The warning signs of abusive relationships as well as power and control issues will be discussed (see page 5 of STOPWATCH 1996, Volume III). If you would like more information, please call CAVEAT at (905) 632-1733.


5th Annual Ontario Table Hockey Championships, February 1, 1997, Burlington, Ontario

This year's championship is sponsored by M.A. Henry, Ltd. and will be held at Burlington's Central Arena. All proceeds will be donated to CAVEAT. To enter or for more information, please contact Mike at (905) 387-0795. Entry deadline: January 23, 1997

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