Barriers facing women in cultural communities make it difficult to leave abusive partners, advocates say
The death of the woman in Park Extension has again raised calls for action — calls that are all the more important for women in the cultural communities.
Many of them face linguistic and cultural barriers that make it even more difficult for them to seek help before it’s too late.
The latest killing of a woman allegedly at the hands of her partner has shocked so many, especially those in Montreal's South Asian community. Police are still looking for the victim’s husband, Navdeep Ghotra, 30, who is the main suspect.
The coordinator at the South Asia Women's Community Centre says more work needs to be done to help women who are newcomers to Canada.
"Because the women can't communicate so police don't understand why police have been called and sometimes men take the charge and he's acting like an interpreter for the woman, who has called the police," said Ghazala Munawar.
The non-profit tries to educate women about the cycle of violence. They translate resources and offer language classes — just a few tools that can help women navigate the system and escape abuse.
"It's different back home for certain people. there's no place to go for a woman and she knows this is it, this is her fate she has to accept it," said Juvaria Yasser, the centre’s manager.
"But, in Canada, there's options. Many women don't know that."
Monday night’s slaying is believed to be the 14th femicide in Quebec this year.
In May, the province announced more funding to fight domestic violence, including additional surveillance for offenders, specialized police units and prosecutors for domestic violence cases.
Those who work with survivors of abuse say the added support is welcome, but much more is needed for prevention and for keeping a woman safe in the months after she leaves an abusive partner
"There is a tendency for murders, there's a tendency for violent acts to be committed upon her children — a crucial period where abusers often find a way back into the victim's life," said Melpa Kamateros, executive director of Montreal’s Shield of Athena.
"There's a lot of financial dependency there, there’s fear for the children, there's pervasive fear for how she can do it on her own."
That's where the community can play such an important role, according to Shennel Hunte, a peer support volunteer & board member of Women Aware.
"If you're a neighbour and you see something or hear something, it's not the time now to say, "Well, it's none of my business,'" Hunte said.
"It's the time to call the police because you don't know if you're saving someone's life."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.