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INSIDE COVER STORY
Elder Abuse
A Canadian profile ______________ On May 26, 2011, police discovered a horrific scene at the home of Diana and James Davy in Orillia, Ontario. Lying in her own pool of vomit, blood and feces, 76-year-old Viola Simonds was found in a darkened room with nothing but a bare mattress and dirt everywhere. She was starved, dehydrated, had bed sores and ulcers, a broken hip, and severe organ and brain damage...
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Crime Prevention Ottawa
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Heartbreak, Humour and Hope
Stay safe from home takeovers
The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre team helps young people battling addiction see a brighter future
15 Situational Awareness
Becoming a part of where you want to take your life to next
21 Don’t Stall Make the Call
You protecting your community
23 STOP
Step up for road safety
31 Crime Stoppers
Page 15
Needs your help in solving crimes
36 Street Smarts
Look closely, see the potential
41 The Right Initiative...
Tackling Canada’s gang problem
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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 Dani-Elle DubĂŠ Crime Prevention Ottawa Crime Stoppers ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Thomas Easton 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) 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
SAY HELLO - est 1990 -
Share your comments or suggestions with Jacques by sending him an email at: jacques@vantagepublishing.ca
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There is a Hungarian proverb that says “A house guest brings good luck.” Unfortunately for some in Ottawa, the opposite is true, and the problem of home takeovers is on the rise. Home takeovers happen when a friend, family member or drug dealer gets invited into a home and then refuses to leave.
Victims are often people who: • were once homeless themselves • are lonely • have a hard time saying no
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Vulnerable people, such as single women, persons with developmental disabilities and seniors are at the greatest risk. As the tenant or homeowner, you may let someone crash on your couch for a few days, but the unwanted guest stays much longer. Or, it could be a family member who needs to get back on their feet. The next thing you know, the guests are helping themselves to your phone, your food, your bed. Your house may even be used to sell drugs. The person taking over your home may offer protection, drugs or women for sexual favours to keep you hooked.
It becomes a vicious cycle. If you decide you’ve had enough and ask your guest to leave, you may be met with threats, abuse and violence. You are trapped, afraid to ask for help and miserable in your own home. No matter who you are or where you live, your home should be your safe place. If a takeover happens in your building or neighbourhood, it affects everyone. Takeovers are often accompanied by an increase in break and enters, excess noise and drugs. If you, your neighbour or someone you know is in danger, speak out. Contact the police, security, or someone you trust. Do you want to keep your friends and neighbours safe from takeovers? Order Crime Prevention Ottawa’s home takeovers information cards and posters. CS Visit crimepreventionottawa.ca (under Initiatives, then Neighbourhoods) for details or email cpo@ottawa.ca with your request.
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The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre team helps young people battling addiction see a brighter future
S ©copyright istock | Getty Images | Digital Vision
ue Seath keeps a binder at home that she flips through from time to time. In it are the notes, cards and pictures she’s collected over the years from some of the young people she’s met in her role as an Addiction Counsellor at the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre (DSYTC). “It’s always nice when, every once in a while, one of them will drop you a line,” she says. “To be able to see when they write you, how you’ve helped them; to me, that really means a lot.” Seath is one of 43 full-time staff at DSYTC who, every day, support young people between the ages of 13 and 21 who are struggling with addiction. As Eastern
Ontario’s only non-profit residential agency dedicated to helping Anglophone youth overcome substance abuse issues and other challenges, DSYTC serves more than 100 young people and their families every year. In addition to three months of live-in treatment and up to three months of postresidential continuing care, DSYTC provides crucial family support through education and counselling.
“Our organization is what we say it is: we’re a safe place for a fresh start,” Heather Potter-Gilmour, Intake Coordinator 9
Being a teenager is tough at the best of times. When addiction is added to the list of challenges facing kids as they transition from child to adult, a young person’s life can quickly spin out of control. Drugs or alcohol can become their sole focus, and their physical, social, cognitive and emotional development is interrupted. Addiction can literally tear some families apart.
being spread out across three Ottawa-area locations— Carp, Carleton Place, and the DSYTC central campus on Bronson Ave—for now (see “Dave’s Dream” sidebar). What they have in common is an absolute, unwavering commitment to helping young people, as Assertive Continuing Care Counsellor Laura Hewitt puts it, “have the future they deserve.”
“Our organization is what we say it is: we’re a safe place for a fresh start,” says Heather Potter-Gilmour, an Intake Coordinator who works out of the residential treatment facility for boys in Carleton Place, Ont. Some clients go through the program more than once, which is just the nature of addiction, she says. But the fact that most do return to fight another day says a lot about how well the DSYTC team works together, and the value of the work that they do.
The challenges facing DSYTC clients are legion. In 2014, a full 92% of the Centre’s clients were dealing with mental health issues on top of their dependencies. Of these, 87% met the diagnostic criteria for major depression, 79% for traumatic stress and 63% had experienced suicidal thoughts or actions in the past year. Two-thirds had at least some involvement with the criminal justice system, and close to half had been suspended or expelled from school in the last year.
“There is no one-size-fits-all treatment method at DSYTC. The Centre’s highly trained staff use a robust, holistic approach to tackle the complexity of addiction head-on”
Stigma is also a huge challenge for anyone struggling with addiction, adds Hewitt, who is based at DSYTC’s Bronson Ave. location. Stereotypes persist about young people battling substance abuse: that they all come from broken families, or that they simply lack will power. The attitude, Hewitt says, is often: “Just quit. But that’s like telling someone who’s depressed to ‘just feel better.’”
It’s not an easy job, by any means: At times, it can be frustrating. Other times, heart-breaking. Seath, who works the day shift at DSYTC’s facility for girls in Carp, Ont., has to be prepared to handle any crisis, from conflict among the residents to the mental health issues that often go hand-in-hand with addiction, such as self-harm and depression. Seath acknowledges that not everyone is cut out for residential work, but adds, “I love my job. I can’t picture myself doing anything else.” That’s a sentiment echoed over and over by the DSYTC team. The Centre’s staffers are a close-knit group, despite
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Her colleague, Andrea Allevato, an Addiction Therapist based in Carp, points out that substance abuse can touch any young person, regardless of age, family situation or neighbourhood. She recalls one young man, a straight-A student who had a great relationship with his parents, who became addicted to opiates following an accident. He ended up with a jail sentence because, in a moment of craving, he assaulted his dealer. “He did really well in the program,” Allevato says, “but did time in jail because of the nature of his crime. It just goes to show that addiction can affect anyone.” As an Intake Coordinator, Potter-Gilmour sees no trend among the young people who seek help; they come from all walks of life. “I see youth that come from high functioning, cohesive families with no histories of substance abuse or
addiction, and then the polar opposite.” She points out that while there are some commonalities—many of the young women, for example, have experienced sexual trauma in the course of their young lives—“there’s also a lot of uniqueness. Everyone who comes to us is a little bit different.” Because of this, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment method at DSYTC. The Centre’s highly trained staff use a robust, holistic approach to tackle the complexity of addiction head-on. The first step is to work with clients to develop an individual treatment plan that’s best suited to the needs of each person. Leta Bourque, an Addiction Therapist at the Carp campus, says some youth come in wanting to work on regulating their emotions, or developing better communication skills. Some need help with problem solving, and in figuring out what their triggers are for substance use. Others require a psychiatric assessment, to better identify any underlying mental health issues and to support the best possible treatment. Ben Pasha, an Addiction Therapist based in Carleton Place, says the organization is constantly reevaluating itself, embracing the latest research and new methods to provide better care for its young clients. “That’s one of the things we do well across the board,” he says. “We’re always trying to create space for improvement.” This client-centred, evidence-based approach to care creates the best possible conditions for success. “For a lot of young people,” says Bourque, “when they discover that they can accept their circumstances for what they are, but also that (those circumstances) don’t necessarily have to define them moving forward, that’s when they can be empowered to change.” That change doesn’t happen overnight. And it often doesn’t come easy. Allevato remembers one young woman who did not recognize that she often communicated with people in a passive-aggressive way. “It came to a point where I was challenging her a lot, and pointing out how her behavior was limiting the progress she was going to make,” Allevato says, adding that if she’s not pushing her clients sometimes, she’s not doing her job. The young woman, however, was eventually able to gain significant insights into her own behavior, and acknowledge that a lot of what Allevato was suggesting was true. “She did really well in the rest of the program,” Allevato says. “It’s really rewarding to see that, even though we might not always be well liked by our clients, it’s in those situations where we can have the most impact.” 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
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Even when a client is finished the residential portion of their treatment, DSYTC staff don’t let them walk out the door and disappear. The “assertive” part of Hewitt’s job as an Assertive Continuing Care (ACC) Counsellor means that the onus isn’t on the client to show up for post-residential appointments. “We chase them down,” Hewitt says. “I will call all over the place to try to find them. And the message that they get is that they matter enough for me to have called their probation officer, their social worker, their parents and their school. They feel valued.” Cara Kane, an ACC Counsellor who works out of DSYTC’s Bronson location, points to the case of one young man who taught her a lot about the need to be persistent. “You know that he gets it, and knows what to do, but makes decisions that are not good decisions,” she says. “He pushed me to push myself in not giving up on him. I got to see him succeed, which was an incredible thing, and a big lesson for me in not turning away, even when it seems they’re pushing you away.” Kane adds that while they could frame this sort of behavior as signs that a client is unmotivated, DSYTC staff choose not to. “We can make excuses but these young people are used to people giving up on them. There’s a real reward in not giving up on them.” Sometimes, not giving up means redefining what “success” means for youth struggling with addiction. Relapse is an unfortunate part of the recovery process, but it can feel like a huge failure. Kane and her colleagues try to help these kids see that “it’s what you do afterwards that counts.” Research shows that every dollar spent in addiction services can save at least $7 in health care spending alone. Despite society’s best efforts, the reality is that most drugs are readily available and highly addictive. In 2014, 76% of DSYTC clients reported that their substance use had started between the ages of 10 and 14. A full 84% used marijuana, 52% drank alcohol and 24% used crack or cocaine at least once a week.
©copyright istock | Getty Images | Ron Chapple Stock
That means the work being done at DSYTC is critical. “Our staff are incredibly dedicated,” says Mike Beauchesne, DSYTC’s Executive Vice-President, Clinical Services. “Every single one of them plays an integral role in helping our clients and their families overcome the despair of addiction and get to a place of health, happiness and hope.” The young people who graduate from the program are able to start dreaming of a better life. Restoring hope to this extremely vulnerable population has a tremendous impact on their families, communities and society as a whole.
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The trouble is, wait times for admission to residential treatment at the DSYTC are also a reality. In 2013, the most recent year for which figures are available, the average waiting time ranged from 7 to 39 days throughout the year.
“Dave’s Dream”
Linda Brown, Office Manager at the Bronson Ave. location, is often the first point of contact for parents whose children need help. “It usually happens Monday morning after a bad weekend, or after a holiday,” she says. “They’re desperate. It’s heartbreaking. You wish you could offer them a solution over the phone.” Because DSYTC is a voluntary program, the Centre can’t take kids who don’t want help in some way, even when their parents know they need it. And often, even when a teen experiences a moment of clarity about their situation and makes the decision to seek treatment on their own, high demand means the DSYTC isn’t always able to take them right away. There simply isn’t enough capacity for the number of young people struggling with addiction. “We have a lot of applicants who are looking for treatment immediately,” says Potter-Gilmour, “but the reality is that’s not always possible.” When that happens, all she can do is walk them through the application process and, in the meantime, give them information on the resources that are available in their communities and provide as much support as possible while they’re on the wait list. Amidst all the heartbreaking stories of the young people who come through the doors of DSYTC, there is hope. There is even humour. And it’s this that feeds the devotion of the caring staff at the Centre. This is what helps them get through some of the more challenging days. Sue Seath says one of the things she loves about her job is that, despite the darkness that many clients have experienced “there can be a lot of lightness.” Sometimes, humour is the way to connect with these kids. “That piece is big. I get to be a bit of a kid myself.” “As much as many have experienced so many traumas and poor starts in life,” says Seath, “there’s still so much hope when you work with youth—and about what can happen to them once they leave us.” And that, in itself, brings a sense of satisfaction that no other job can touch. CS
www.davesmithcentre.org
The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre was established in 1993 as a result of the relentless efforts of a small group of people, led by Ottawa restaurateur and philanthropist Dave Smith. The DSYTC has a remarkable track record of delivering world-class services in a safe, home-like environment. But with separate facilities for girls and boys and our central campus in Ottawa, a great deal of time and resources are spent coordinating and travelling between three locations. Moreover, our facilities were not built for the purpose of helping kids heal from substance dependency. To give more youth the opportunities they deserve, Dave’s Dream is working to raise $5 million to build a new treatment centre. The 25,000-square-foot building, situated on a 25-acre site, will replace our three current facilities. Two residential wings will each house bedrooms for 15 males and 15 females, plus common living areas, dining rooms and kitchens. The administrative area at the heart of the building will feature classrooms, family meeting rooms and staff offices. The new centre will allow us to integrate our programs, providing more continuous interaction between staff and youth. It will also create a more comforting home environment, and the private rooms will foster greater involvement by family and caregivers—which is a key factor in successful recovery. The Government of Ontario and the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) have already committed ongoing operational funding, and our volunteer board is working tirelessly to make Dave’s Dream a reality. Find out how you, too, can help by visiting www.davesmithfoundation.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
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Situational Awareness. Common Sense. Sixth Sense. Mindfulness. Synonyms for what is arguably one of the most important skills and habits for anybody to develop and maintain. No matter what your profession, no matter which walk of life you come from, Situational Awareness must become a part of where you want to take your life to next. • For the Police Officer patrolling a neighbourhood, it might bring to mind the need for being aware of the current demographics, crime-wise of that neighbourhood. It might mean being aware of what indicators an individual is presenting so that they can be prepared to respond accordingly. • For the young professional woman, commuting via public transit it might mean several other things; her current work environment and future prospects that exist; the areas of town through which she must commute on her way to and from her office. • For the young teenager, it might mean being aware of who to associate with so as to advance their social status amongst their peers; it might mean who to stay away from so as to accomplish the same end. • For the parents of the young teenager, it might mean being aware of the current trends amongst their children’s peer group, what their friends are doing, and how they conduct themselves. • For the poor and destitute, it might mean being aware of which street corner you are peddling at, so as to not get attacked; it might mean knowing who to buy your supply from so that you don’t get sent back to the hospital; it might mean knowing which shelters are the safest for your wife/sister/daughter. 15
At RONIN Private Intelligence, Situation Awareness is not an option; as former intelligence operators, tasked with an exceptionally important role - maintaining the safety and security of Canada and her citizens - this became a way of life. Being situationally aware was imperative for the successful outcome of any operation, no matter how large or small. Without it, the risks are too big, but with a proper awareness, those risks are mitigated. And that really is what situational awareness is, risk management. That is why we wholeheartedly believe that proper situational awareness should be a habit that every single person gets used to. How, you say? We will delve into some tips, tricks and habits to be able to get you on your way to being more situationally aware, safe, and ready to tackle all that life can throw at you. Need more when you’re done reading? No problem, just look us up at www.ronin-intel.com, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, or find us on Facebook and Twitter and we can get you on your way!
Situational awareness can seem daunting; military, law enforcement, and intelligence professionals speak often about it, and mostly in a vernacular that the rest of us don’t necessarily comprehend. That is essentially because for these types of people, it is a key component of their livelihood, and integrates in their daily lives. For example, military officers across the globe refer to situational awareness as the current threat level/capability for the current mission; surviving any mission depends on proper situational awareness.
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From an intelligence operator’s point of view, situational awareness is the single most important factor in determining the successful outcome of an operation. It informs threat to life and safety, operational security, and environmental factors. Generally, when conducting an intelligence operation, 70% of the time is spent planning and 30% of the time is spent executing that plan. Again, situational awareness was key in putting the plan together. Considerations included: the environment where the plan was to be carried out - is there a known high level of crime/gang activity/assaults; the target of the operation - were they known to be violent/unstable. After considering all of these risks, a plan was formulated.
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SO, WHAT IS IT?
Although its name can be misleading, Situational Awareness actually consists of two distinct and separate components. At RONIN Private Intelligence, we promote our two-step model to achieving demonstrable and effective Situational Awareness. No longer does Situational Awareness have to apply only to military or law enforcement types. Our goal is to bring the concepts to the masses, in a simple, easy-to-apply format so that we can all live safer, more fulfilling lives. The first component of our model speaks to the awareness aspect. Oh, thanks, you say! Obvious, right? Not necessarily; when thinking about risk, we have to consider the whole picture. What risks are you exposed to? How do you know if you have even discovered all of the possibilities? When are you most likely to be exposed to these risks? In other words, we have to gain an understanding of the breadth and depth of the risks we are faced with. These basic questions actually form the foundation for the model that you will build. Consider the previous example of the police officer patrolling a neighbourhood. How does a police officer become aware of all of the potential risks that he or she may face in a particular neighbourhood? Education is the first obvious answer, and that comes from many sources - statistics, word of mouth, and experience are some of the most common. But what about the risks that have not been considered, or discovered (There is always something that nobody has thought of)? Well, for police officers, they are given tools that will allow them to operate in an environment that is unpredictable, and has a great potential for danger - handcuffs, radios, batons, tazers (sometimes), firearms, and bullet-proof vests. These tools are put into place to account for the unknown. When we consider risks, and become aware of those with which we are faced, we are left with only 2 options - one, accept the risks and do nothing (obviously this is not a good idea), or we can mitigate those risks to a level that is
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acceptable by making a plan to deal with them. For example, when taking public transit to or from work in a sketchy area of town by oneself, it would behoove one to not wear headphones while walking an unlit path alone. The second component to situational awareness, and arguably the critical component that binds the whole concept together, is mindfulness. Unfortunately, just being aware of what possible risks are out there is not nearly good enough. What is the point in figuring out what those risks are if you aren’t prepared to deal with them? Mindfulness is essential to ensuring your safety, security and peace of mind. Consider the previous example of the police officer patrolling his neighbourhood. Now consider the fact that it is a real life case study from right here in our very city. In the very early hours of December 29, 2009, Constable Eric Czapnik of the Ottawa Police Service was fatally stabbed while sitting in his patrol car outside of the Ottawa Hospital. An incident such as this is not unheard of and unfortunately could have been prevented. Without disrespect, this horrific scenario did not have to happen; the Civic Hospital area is a constant hub of activity, and there is always a string of colourful people going in, coming out and generally milling about. Those of us who have worked shift work can attest to the fact that it isn’t easy to stay up when the rest of the world is asleep, to remain vigilant 100% of the time - it’s almost inhuman to think that someone can do that. If we break down the situation on
that fateful morning, we can learn a few lessons about Situational Awareness that we can immediately apply to our own lives. First of all, Constable Czapnik’s windows were rolled down and his attention was not on his immediate surroundings, thereby creating a large window of risk - a highly visible target (people in uniform often are targets for people who are disgruntled towards ‘the system’), with their attention diverted and not prepared to deal with a formidable physical threat. As we can see from the last tragic example, being mindful is absolutely essential. We are not suggesting that everyone who reads this article is at risk of being stabbed while sitting in their car (although it’s not an impossibility), we are promoting remaining vigilant to the risks you are exposed to. Once you have identified the potential threats that you face, and formulate a plan for how to deal with them, you must remain vigilant in your mindfulness of those threats to ensure your safety and security, or that of those you love. At RONIN, we are committed to offering an unparalleled level of training delivery in Situational Awareness, from the young teen to the seasoned professional law enforcement officer. CS
If you would like to learn more, please find us at www.ronin-intel.com, send us an email at info@ronin-intel.com, or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Stay Safe!
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We all want to feel safe in our homes and neighbourhoods. The best way to do that is to be part of the solution. If you see a crime happening – or you know of illegal activity taking place on your street or in your building, pick up the phone. Call security or the police. They can help.
Your voice will make the difference. Don’t assume that police or building security know about the problem – or that nothing will happen if you report it. They take all calls seriously. They want you to feel safe and stay safe. CS
Your call counts. Every call to report a crime or suspicious activity is counted, and helps show there is a problem.
911 To report a crime in progress or a lifethreatening emergency 613.233.8477 or 1-800-222-8477 to anonymously report information on a crime to Crime Stoppers 211 To find out about community, social, health and government services 311 To report bylaw infractions, potholes, garbage problems or other issues
Your call can create change. Every call helps build a case to make a change. Through change, we can solve the problems in our communities.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
To learn more about dealing with crime or problems in your community or building, visit Crime Prevention Ottawa’s Neighbourhood Toolkit at crimepreventionottawa.ca/toolkit. #NeighbourhoodToolkit Twitter: @cpopco Facebook: facebook.com/CrimePreventionOttawa
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Ottawa and Gatineau police are stepping up to make sure you’re safe behind the wheel with a new program they’re launching. The police will focus on red light running and unsafe lane changes with Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), a campaign that’s part of the Safer Roads Ottawa Program. According to the Ottawa and Gatineau police services, there were 3820 collisions caused by red light running that resulted in 1695 injuries and three fatalities between 2009 and 2013. During that same time, there were 5651 collisions caused by unsafe lane changes that results in 625 injuries and two fatalities.
The program aims to reduce collisions on Ottawa roads, raise public awareness of road safety issues, integrate the work of City departments responsible for road safety and improve communication, cooperation and collaboration among road safety agencies, says the Ottawa police website. Every month, the Safer Roads Ottawa Program highlights two road safety themes. April will focus on school bus and school zone safety. CS For more information on the STEP program, visit www.ottawapolice.ca Article originally appeared at Crimsensemag.com 23
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ELDER ABUSE: A CANADIAN PROFILE BY: DANI-ELLE DUBÉ
On May 26, 2011, police discovered a horrific scene at the home of Diana and James Davy in Orillia, Ontario. Lying in her own pool of vomit, blood and feces, 76-yearold Viola Simonds was found in a darkened room with nothing but a bare mattress and dirt everywhere. She was starved, dehydrated, had bed sores and ulcers, a broken hip, and severe organ and brain damage. Upon the discovery, Diana and James were arrested, charged and found guilty of failing to provide the necessitates of life to Diana’s mother. The two were sentenced to one year in jail and two years probation in January. But Viola never had a chance to see her abusers go behind bars as she was unable to recover from her injuries, and died only a few months after being discovered. 25
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Viola’s story is one that’s been told countless times, yet little has been done within the justice system and community to stop the problem that is elder abuse. In fact, according to the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, about 10 per cent of older adults are abused in some form. Statistics Canada reported that 5 million Canadians were over the age of 65 in 2011. That means 500,000 seniors are at the hands of their abusers today, most of which are family members. “It is a growing problem,” says Karen Sibal, manager at the Peel Elder Abuse Prevention Network. “We are definitely seeing an increase in cases being reported. But we also know that it’s an under reported issue. So the fact that we see our cases climbing tells us the prevalence is quite a bit.”
THE VICTIMS AND ABUSERS A former nurse, Viola Simonds was a person who cared for the vulnerable. But as she got older, her role switched and she became the dependent while her daughter took over the role as caregiver. According to Victims of Violence,victims of elder abuse are typically dependent on the abuser and there may be a chance that they suffer from a mental or physical disability. They are often isolated from friends and other family but still care for their abuser or feel ashamed in some way. But the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse adds that most victims of elder abuse are often mentally competent and don’t require constant care. This type of abuse, they say, can happen to any older adult. “What we typically see when we get a call from someone being abused, it’s not usually the victim calling in but a concerned family member,” says Sibal. “The abusers tend to be the adult son or the adult daughter. They could be a son-in-law or daughter-in-law, a caregiver. So usually when someone calls to tell us about a case it’s someone who’s close to the senior.” She adds, “These are people they cared for and nurtured growing up so they expect to be treated with respect and it doesn’t happen.” The National Victims of Crime Awareness Week reported that about 35 per cent of solved victimizations against seniors were committed by a family member.
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But when senior abuse presents itself in a family dynamic, it’s not only the abused senior who’s the only victim. In fact, the crime has a wider impact and affects families. “It can have a huge impact,” says Sibal. “It can devastate the family and in many cases where the senior wants to leave, they’re torn between their children. It’s got huge implications and it can destroy a family.”
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FORMS OF ABUSE The abuse can take on many forms, not just physical. Different types of abuse include emotional, psychological, sexual and financial. According to the latest statistics from Statistics Canada, six in 10 police-reported incidents of family violence against seniors did not result in physical injury in 2009. National Victims of Crime Awareness Week reports that the most common form of family violence against seniors in 2009 was common assault at 53 per cent, followed by uttering threats at 21 per cent and major assaults at 12 pre cent.
THE SIGNS For Sibal, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to address the issue of elder abuse. “There’s always more that can be done,” says Sibal. “We live in a very ageist society where a lot of funding and resources, attention goes towards youths and children services and programs. But then people don’t realize that everyone is aging and we don’t have the supports in place for an aging population and often that’s the demographic that gets neglected.” But what the general public can do is stay vigilant and aware. Should you suspect someone is the victim of elder abuse, look for these signs outlined by Victims of Violence and the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
• bruises and cuts; • bed sores; • heightened levels of upset or agitation; • unexplained feelings of hopelessness, guilt or inadequacy; • unusual withdrawal from family and friends; • discomfort or anxiety when particular people are around; • reluctance to speak about the situation • lack of food, clothing and other necessities; • unexplained physical injury; • changes in hygiene and nutrition (e.g. signs of malnutrition); • failure to meet financial obligations; • unusual banking withdrawals The Canadian Centre for Elder Law also suggests following these steps to make sure the process of getting help is safe and secure.
1. Talk to the older adult 2. Respect personal values, goals and lifestyle choices 3. Recognize the right to make decisions 4. Seek consent or permission of the victim before taking action 5. Respect confidentiality and privacy rights 6. Avoid ageist assumptions from affecting your judgement and avoid stereotypes 7. Respect independence and autonomy 8. Know that abuse and neglect can happen anywhere and by anyone 9. Respect the legal rights of the victim while addressing the need for support, help or protection. CS
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The suspect is described as being a black male, dark complexion, mid to late 20’s, 5’7-5’10, wearing a black jacket, dark pants, black stretch gloves with rubber grip, black knit scarf or balaclava, black hat with the hood up. He was English speaking, in fact very quiet speaking and spoke with a stutter (2 pictures on left).
Crime Stoppers Ottawa offers maximum rewards for separate bank robbery investigations FEBRUARY 18, 2015 ____________________
Crime Stoppers Ottawa offers maximum rewards for separate bank robbery investigations (Ottawa) — The National Capital Area Crime Stoppers program is collaborating with the Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit in connection to recent unsolved bank robberies. Crime Stoppers Ottawa is today offering the maximum $2000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of two robbery suspects related to two specific investigations. On February 5, 2015, at approximately 8:30am, a lone male suspect entered a bank situated in the 1600 block of Montreal Road near Blair Road. The suspect produced a note making a demand for money and indicated he was armed. During the course of the robbery, the suspect produced a handgun from his coat pocket. The suspect fled the branch with an undisclosed quantity of cash. There were no injuries.
The second investigation relates to a bank robbery that occurred on February 8, 2015, at approximately 3:30pm. A lone male suspect entered a bank situated in the 2300 block of St. Joseph Boulevard. The suspect approached a customer service representative and produced a note making a demand for money. The suspect indicated he was armed with a gun, though none was seen. The suspect fled the premises empty-handed. There were no injuries. This suspect is described as being a black male, early 20’s, 5’6”, skinny build. He was wearing a grey winter jacket with a hood, grey pants and a white or beige balaclava was covering his mouth and nose. At the time the suspect carried a camouflage knapsack (2 pictures above).
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OTTAWA: Theft at LCBO on Montreal Road JANUARY 2, 2015 ____________________
On Saturday October 11th 2014 an unknown couple attended an LCBO store located at 230 Montreal road and committed a theft. The suspects selected several bottles from the wine vintage section and concealing them in a purse she carried with her. They would exit the establishment only paying for a single item and not the ones concealed in her purse. The same suspects are believed responsible for another incident that occurred on October 9th where several bottles of Scotch were stolen. Please view the above photos. If you have information on the identity of the suspects or other criminal activity call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Remember Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, you don’t identity yourself, we will not record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to their identity or arrest, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000. You can follow us on Facebook, YouTube and twitter.
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OTTAWA: Male assaulted along Rideau Street JANUARY 13, 2015 ____________________
On October 19th 2014 at approximately 4:30am unknown males assaulted the victim just outside the McDonald’s restaurant located in the Byward Market. The incident is believed to have started inside however once outside the premises suspects assaulted the victim and fled. The victim sustained minor injury and was treated at the hospital. Please view the above photo obtained by investigator. If you have information on the identity of the suspects or other criminal activity call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Remember Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, you don’t identity yourself, we will not record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to their identity or arrest, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000. You can follow us on Facebook, YouTube and twitter.
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OTTAWA: Suspects sought in armed retail robbery JANUARY 7, 2015 ____________________
The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit and Crime Stoppers are seeking to identify two suspects responsible for a retail robbery. On December 14, 2014, at approximately 4:40 am., two male suspects entered a gas station situated along the 3200 block of Conroy Rd. One suspect, armed with a sawed off shotgun, approached the employee and made a verbal demand for cash. The second suspect kept watch closer to the door. The suspects obtained an undisclosed quantity of cash and fled the premises, last seen running westbound on Johnston Rd. The suspects are described as follows (images attached): #1: Black male, very dark skin, thin build, 5’10”, in his 20’s, possibly with facial hair, wearing a black winter jacket, jeans, black gloves, a black tuque, and red, black & white running shoes #2: Black male, lighter skin, thin build, 20’s, wearing a dark tuque, blue hood pulled up over his head, a black sweater, beige pants and white running shoes. Anyone with information with respect to these robberies, or any other robbery, is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5116 or downloading the Ottawa Police iOS app. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). 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, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000. You can follow us on Facebook, YouTube and twitter.
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ajor cities like Toronto, and now Ottawa, are seeing an increase in gun and gang activity.
According to CBC, the number of shootings in Toronto is up 34 per cent since 2011. Ottawa, too, has experience 46 shootings this year, up from 18 in 2010. Police in Ottawa have also arrested 76 people in connection to gang activity in 2014. The increase in gang activity has gotten residents worried. That’s why it’s important to have a gang strategy in place to make sure that people feel safe. The Ottawa Gang Strategy is one plan that hopes to do just that. It involves eight initiatives, each designed to: • build stronger children, families and communities • take inclusive and preventative approaches • identify interventions for those at-risk, on the edge of joining a gang or looking to leave gang life • conduct targeted, sustained and effect enforcement
THE EIGHT INITIATIVES INCLUDE: • Families • Faith • Social Service agencies • Criminal Justice agencies • Police • Community • Schools • Other community partners “As a community, we can appreciate that gangs are not just an enforcement issue,” it says in the Ottawa Gang Strategy 2013-2016 report.” Enforcement alone is not enough, nor is the improvement of social services without also addressing issues such as family support, education, poverty, housing, mental health and the local economy. This requires the engagement of a broad community of stakeholders and taking into account the linkages between gang specific issues, local realities and the broader social context.” To read the full report and how the City of Ottawa plans to tackle gangs in the upcoming years, read the report at Crime Prevention Ottawa. CS
Article originally appeared at Crimsensemag.com
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