Family members of the missing and murdered women studied in a provincial inquiry are expressing dismay at its method of release.
The final report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry prepared by commissioner Wally Oppal was released on the Internet on Dec. 17, both live-streamed and e-mailed to families and participants.
The extensive inquiry has been underway since 2010 to analyze and report on the investigations of women who disappeared in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, including those in the Robert Pickton murder convictions.
Prior to the release of the report, Ernie Crey, elder brother of missing woman, Dawn Crey, voiced his objections to having the report presented to those directly affected by live-streaming video on the Internet, followed by an emailed copy of the report.
He says it was an impersonal approach to deliver these sensitive report results to families of women who have been murdered or remain missing.
While reading rooms were made available for families and participants to view the results together and support each other, Crey says now the report is released, government should field and address their questions.
He wants government to engage with these families, not leave them wondering, “OK, now what?”
While it is what he terms a “landmark inquiry,” Crey says he couldn’t get any confirmation ahead of the release on how government will engage with families in follow-up actions.
“Are there going to be people [available] from government to answer to the content of Oppal’s report?
The provincial government has acknowledged the significant impact the report will have on many family members, but states it addressed that by making victim support services available before, during and after the release of the report.
For those who were unable to attend the Vancouver release, this involved toll-free support lines.
Gail Edinger, who is the regional co-ordinator for the Community Co-ordination for Women’s Safety program of the Ending Violence Association of BC, says it is most important to focus on the people who have been violently robbed of their loved ones.
“The RCMP has an amazing team of investigators who are working to find answers and justice, but a truly comprehensive response needs to include immediate, ongoing and accessible supports, connections to other families and empowerment to be involved in seeking answers and justice.”
Prevention work needs to focus on how perpetrators of violence can be held accountable, she explains, not on how potential victims can avoid what is “tragically and incorrectly labelled as high risk behaviour.”
Family, friends and other community members with missing or murdered loved ones need to be central to “everything,” Edinger adds.
This includes involvement in decisions on how reports are released, how families are contacted by media and what families and communities need when loved ones are murdered or disappear, she says.
“These and many more discussions and actions need to be guided by families, friends and other community members.”
Edinger says she is waiting to hear the results of the report, which are still being absorbed by those who have had access to review it.
“I’d like to see recognition of the need for the community to have a voice that is respected and believed.”
Family members were advised how to access the report online early on Dec. 17, prior to public statements and a media lock up. Reading rooms were set aside for family members able to attend in person, with victim services supports available, and for parties who had standing at the inquiry.
The Ministry of Justice committed to provide assistance to those family members who were represented by counsel at the inquiry, attended the inquiry hearings and were in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, Edinger says more services are urgently needed in communities where women, especially Aboriginal women, are the most marginalized population.
She adds a broader, national inquiry on all missing murdered women should now be performed, and it must include a solid commitment from federal and provincial governments to create a foundation of support for families while it is underway.
“The release of the inquiry report and the resulting attention from media, inquiry staff and others will raise grief anew for all who have been impacted. We need accessible supports in place that address this ongoing reality.”
