These newspaper stories show a long history of underfunding for shelters that provide services to survivors of domestic violence in Winnipeg. And in describing the reasons that the entire board chose to resign in December 2004 they also show the ways that power structures have opposed public advocacy for effective programs and education to prevent domestic violence:
“That’s because feminists — who link violence towards women to the abuse of power – would have a hard time working in an organization where power isn’t shared.”
“Not all women’s organizations are feminist,” she said. “There’s bound to be an underlying tension between staff who want the structure to reflect a feminist philosophy and those who don’t.”
“The structure of a shelter like Osborne House is also dictated by its ties to its parent organization, the YW-YMCA” she said.
-Shelter’s growing pains May 15 1993
Violence against women an issue for all of us
I am outraged and saddened to hear about the tragic death of Sandra Chabauty, another woman in our community who was slain. Police have charged her former common-law husband. It is a reminder of the work we are faced with every day and the work ahead of us to continue to break down the isolation and ultimately to eliminate family violence.
“Typical domestic” is a term for society to easily accept the fact that another woman died. It is difficult to comprehend or make sense when there was no pattern of abuse. There was no indication there were problems.
As one of 10 shelters in the province, we know that the police are faced every day with thousands of calls and hundreds of them being domestic violence. We understand it is their responsibility to respond and that response will determine the outcome. At Osborne House we, too, receive hundreds of anonymous calls related to women directly, family members, friends and neighbours that ask the
questions: What do we do? How can we stop the abuse occurring in the home?
We are faced with the reality that abusers do not take responsibility for the violence. Most abusers are not violent outside the home. Abusers control the victim’s entire life. It’s important to know women who leave partners are at the highest risk. Stalking behaviours from the abuser may start to occur. Victims of abuse are most likely to be murdered when attempting to report or leave an abusive relationship. We also need to remember the children, the silent victims, the times they witness the abuse and try to make sense of the dynamics. Women rarely call the police unless they think their children or themselves are in serious danger.
Violence against women and their children is not a “women’s issue”. This is an issue for all of us. We all need to take responsibility. We need to speak up and speak out — to our sister agencies, we need to ask why successful programs such as the Family Violence Intervention Team are cut. We need to speak to all levels of government: Where do they stand and are they doing enough to eliminate domestic violence? We need to support women and agencies who are taking the lead.
MARGARET MARIN
Executive Director
Osborne House Inc.
Winnipeg
-Letter to the editor, August 25 2004
The program was working
What a shame the city of Winnipeg is scrapping the Family Violence Intervention Team!
This innovative prevention program, partnering police with social workers to intervene in high-risk cases of domestic violence, arose in 2001 in the wake of the 911 inquiry.
According to a recent RESOLVE report, the program has met its goals of supporting victims of domestic violence, linking them to services in the community, lessening the likelihood of further violence and reducing the need to use the already overburdened Family Violence Court and police services.
Front-line workers in shelters such as Osborne House know that the program was working. They know it has helped victims end abusive relationships, access services, feel safer and become empowered to make positive changes in their lives.
-Letter to the Editor from Osborne House Board of Directors
June 4 2004
The inquiry mentioned above relates to the way emergency responders handled 911 calls, available at: http://www.manitobacourts.mb.ca/pdf/911_report.pdf
The volunteer board of directors of Winnipeg’s largest women’s shelter resigned as a group yesterday, saying the province “bullied, abused and threatened” them and provided insufficient funding.
“This is as a result of a complete breakdown in our relationship with government,” said Ellen Liebl, chairwoman of the Osborne House board. “We feel we can no longer be effective as directors. We can’t do what we feel is in the best interests of the facility.”
The mass exodus of most of the board — a couple of staff representatives will stay on — raises questions about the Department of Family Services, which has been hit by several recent scandals.
-Shelter Board ‘Bullied’ Dec 16 2004 p1, Dec 16 2004 p2
Manitoba Family Services and Housing department criticized for lack of accountability and funding issues with several organizations.
-Another black eye for housing department Dec 21 2004 p1, Dec 21 2004 p4
Executive Director Margaret Marin muzzled, put on probationary period, takes stress leave.
Board chairwoman, Crown attorney Rekha Malaviya, said yesterday that taking care of the needs of clients remains the priority.
The signs that all was not well with Marin and her political masters were clear earlier this month when Lockport’s Sabrina Darichuk and Kelly Champlin were the victims of an apparent domestic slaying. Traditionally, Marin would have made a statement on behalf of the shelter. This time, she said she wasn’t able to talk. No statement was ever issued.
-Turmoil persists at women’s shelter, Apr 29 2005 p 25
A strike could force women and children out of the province’s largest shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Officials at the shelter emphasized yesterday that a contingency plan is in place if workers walk off the job.
“Nobody is going to be put out on the street,” said Barbara Judt vice-chair of the Osborne House board. “We will continue to provide services to women and children that need them.”
Employees at the shelter are represented by two unions. The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2348 represents 47 front line workers which include, counsellors, child-care workers, cleaners and reception. CUPE national representative Mark Kernaghan said they are looking for a wage increase of approximately 40 per cent. He said that would put them on par with workers doing similar jobs with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The remaining employees, three supervisors and eight full-time and casual administration staff, are members of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union Local 160.
-Strike could force women, kids out of shelter June 21 2006 pA4
The staff of Osborne House, the province’s largest women’s shelter, is on the verge of striking over a wage dispute. ..The salary of an Osborne House worker ranges from $15,698 for a children’s support worker to $25,662 for a counsellor, wages Ellis said are too low, considering the intense nature of the work required at the shelter.
…Last year at Osborne House more than 10,000 individual and group counselling sessions were provided to women and children in need, while the crisis line handled over 9,000 calls. There were approximately 11,000 overnight stays at the shelter last year.
-Strike stalks province’s largest women’s shelter July 18 2000 pA3
“More space, better facilities and more secure funding are badly needed”, Bertrand said. -Osborne House Facing a Crisis, Jan 3 1987
-Plan to close home for battered women called ‘a real catastrophe for this city’ Feb 16 1979 p8
-Osborne House hopes to get out of $$ bind dec 14 1976 dec 14 1976 p12
Letter from YWCA president Jane Jones
-Funding Problems Plague Osborne House Dec 22 1976 p 26
Crisis Housing Moves Location
The association first provided crisis housing as a temporary summer project this year in one wing of Hargrave House, a permanent residence for women operated by the YW. During a two-month period 70 women with 39 children used the crisis facilities made available through a student community service grant from the federal department of secretary of state. On Sept. 2, after the grant expired, the service moved to the YWCA at 447 Webb Plane.
WFP page 25 Womens News November 2 1974
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