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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-12-08, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2005. Domestic Abuse Review Team launches Court Watch The purpose of the Court Watch Project is to monitor the courts and judicial system by gathering data and information about cases or trials that deal with violence in intimate relationships in order to advocate for social change to improve the criminal justice response. The Domestic Abuse Review Team was recently granted funds from The Woman Abuse Council of Toronto with their Trillium Foundation Grant to commence a rural court watch project in Huron County. In 1996-97 the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General mandated the development of Specialized Domestic Violence Court processes across the Province to provide a more effective criminal justice response to woman abuse. Specialized Domestic Violence Courts and court responses have Mclnnes to chair HPCDSB By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Long-time trustee Vince Mclnnes, who represents Huron East, Perth East and North Perth, will serve as chair of the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board for 2005-06. Mclnnes, of RR2, Wingham, accepted the position at the board’s 2005 inaugural meeting Monday, Dec. 5. Fellow veteran trustee Ron Marcy of Stratford declined to have his name stand for the post, so Mclnnes was acclaimed. He replaces Perth South representative Bernard Murray, the outgoing chair. Known for his critical eye v/hen it comes to financial matters, Mclnnes has served several terms as chair of Trustees pray for hostages help of my fellow staff, I’m quite sure By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen his energies to the * THE ANCHOR •> renovations NESDAY, DECEMBER 21| 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p Members of the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board reserved a portion of their 2005 inaugural meeting, Monday, Dec. 5, for thoughts about the four Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) hostages currently being held in Iraq. Board chaplain Father Al Dufraimont led the board in a closing prayer for the hostages, including the words, “shelter them under your wings when they are engulfed in sadness and overcome with distress.” Tea fa)om 145 Main Street North, Seaforth 519-527-1072 CHRISTMAS AT fieggoty's Gift Baskets starting at $10.00 Christmas Parties Catering Party trays Christmas Day Dinner New Year's Eve Dinner y Enter our 3rd annual V draw basket valued at M V 8375.00 V «.jb been developed across the province in both rural and urban communities. In Huron County domestic violence cases are dealt with in criminal court along with all other cases. Although the county does not have a designated “Domestic Violence Court” several of the components and the processes found in the specialized courts are implemented in Huron County. In this project, supporting the development of Women’s Court Watch in other Ontario communities will bring these same benefits to a large number of women victims of violence and their children across the province. It will keep the safety . of women at the forefront of the domestic violence court processes and allow the government and the community to work together to make the criminal courts as effective as• the board’s management committee. In his 24 years with the board, the retired farmer and furniture refinisher has also been chair a few times, but not since the early 1990s. More recently, he has missed numerous meetings due to health problems and family tragedy. But he offered his commitment that he can now devote board. “With the trustees and we’ll get along fine,” he said. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mclnnes admitted one major issue facing the board over the coming year is the ongoing accommodation review for St. Joseph’s elementary school in One of the hostages, Jim Loney of Toronto, is Catholic and has participated in social justice work with Catholic organizations. According to Dufraimont, he even worked in the London Diocese (stretching from this area west to Windsor) several years ago. Director of education Larry Langan noted the Huron-Perth board has placed information about Loney on its website. And outgoing chair Bernard Murray of Perth South praised the CPTer, saying “he certainly has done some remarkable work and we pray that he comes through this.” Cnri&tma& 'Menu Homemade Soup of the Da 1 or Classic Caesar Salad or Coconut Shrimp Lemon Pepper Whitefish with Sweet Potato Fries or • Hickory Grilled Rib Eye with • Garlic Fried Mushrooms and Hand cut fries or Cranberry Grilled Chicken on Anchor Sunshine Salad • Warm Apple Blossom or Double Fudge Chocolate Browni nly $15.99 per person We can accommodate your parties up to 20 people Wie 'Best Little 'IPuh in "Wiiigftatn 289 Josephine St., Wingham • 357-4111 possible. Given the significant differences among rural, urban, and northern communities, the Women’s Court Watch will provide useful information toward identifying and understanding the differences in how specialized courts can best operate in different kinds of communities. The purpose of the court watch includes the following reasons: 1. To raise public awareness of how the judiciary and the courts respond to woman abuse cases. 2. To provide support for the government’s domestic violence initiatives within the criminal justice system 3. To enhance education and empowerment of women victims of domestic violence 4. To explore and uncover biases of judges and hold judges accountable Kingsbridge. The school was named for possible closure a couple of years ago, but won a reprieve when the Liberal government followed through on an election promise to place a moratorium on school closures. Now, with the moratorium lifted but no new provincial closure guidelines yet in place, the board has again initiated a review of the northwest Huron school’s viability. —“I can’t see a lot of other issues coming forward,” Mclnnes said, when asked about other possible challenges for the board. “We’ve got a good working relationship with the ministry of education ... it wasn t always that way.” Director of education Larry Langan noted recent announcements by Education Minister Gerard Kennedy, regarding changes to the Safe Schools Act and an expanded role for parents, may translate into extra work for the board in 2005-06. Acclaimed as vice-chair at the Dec. 5 meeting was Mary-Catherine McKeon, trustee from Goderich, Central Huron and northwest Huron. for their responses to victims of abuse. 5. To share resources and information with agencies supporting women survivors while also presenting feedback to the greater community about the courts and services available to women. (Children 10 & under 1/2 price) Sunday, December 11 4 to 7 pm S9.95 Stickers Family Restaurant Auburn 526-7759 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p<m. 91 Main St. S. Seaforth The Court Watch project has hired two staff to attend trials and monitor the domestic violence cases in the county court rooms. The staff will be utilizing specially designed surveys to monitor the cases and provide a monthly report to the DART committee.