contents

Surrey Womens Centre 2010 - 2011 Annual Report to the Community

about

the surrey womens centre

about us a message from the president and executive director feature story in memory of maria: a daughters tribute remembered programs success stories projects the honest truth: a domestic violence social media campaign making a positive change: learning opportunities for local service providers thank you financials surrey womens centre staff 2

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established in 1992, is a not-for-profit charitable agency that provides free counselling and support services primarily for women and children fleeing violence. Our services include a crisis line, counselling, support groups, orientation and accompaniment to hospital, police and court, as well as legal advocacy. Services are housed in a resource centre that partners with other community agencies to ensure that women and children have access to income, food, clothing and shelter.

us
mission
To increase safety and supports for women and children fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

values

In fulfilling our mission, we operate from feminist, harm reduction and trauma models of intervention that build safety networks, including meaningful relationships with self, others and community.

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We collaborate with key medical, legal and social service stakeholders to increase the safety and available supports for women and children at-risk of serious bodily injury or death. By building partnerships that address systemic barriers contributing to the incidence and impact of domestic violence and sexual assault, community benefits include an enhanced focus on the safety of women and children, offender accountability as well as the institutionalization of community partnerships.

SAFETY Our first responsibility is to our clients. We advocate for the safety for women, children and vulnerable men who have experienced violence and other forms of oppression. TEAMWORK Our second responsibility is to our team. We work collaboratively with our board, staff and volunteers in a respectful workplace to advance community safety and social change. LEADERSHIP Our third responsibility is to our community. We create innovative partnerships that foster community leadership by promoting evidence based best practices. ACCOUNTABILITY Our fourth responsibility is to our supporters. We ensure ethical, transparent and accountable financial and fundraising practices. 3

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violence against women is an epidemic

in loving memory:
a message from the president and executive director
On November 24, 2009, Maria Catroppa, devoted mother of four children, was stabbed to death by her husband in their Surrey home. Although he was recently convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, some believe that this could only be the isolated act of a madman. At Surrey Womens Centre, however, we know that this isolated act is an everyday occurrence in the lives of women. Women, like Maria, are often most at risk for serious bodily injury and even death when they leave a violent relationship. In this case, Honourable Justice Josephson writes [u]nfortunately, it is not uncommon in situations of domestic violence to see physical attacks on a spouse motivated by anger at an unwanted separation. 4

In Canada, according to the most recent victimization studies, 653,000 women are victims of domestic violence on an annual basis. It is well documented that violence often escalates during separation it is further estimated that 74 of these women will be killed by their partners every year, most likely following a recent separation. In BC, one in ten murders is a result of domestic violence. Since 2006, nine women, including Maria Catroppa have been killed by their partners in the City of Surrey alone. It is clear that our mission to increase the safety and supports for women and children is as relevant today as it was in the past when we opened our doors 19 years ago. At Surrey Womens Centre, we partner with the community to empower women and children fleeing violence to identify risks and develop safety plans, receive urgent medical treatment, navigate complex legal proceedings and meet their basic needs that many of us take for granted such as food, clothing and shelter.

This year, Surrey Womens Centre has had several opportunities to partner with medical, legal and social service stakeholders in the community who share our commitment to ending violence against women and children. Our primary initiatives support women and children who are at risk of serious bodily injury and death. Key questions that guide our work include how can we, as community, identify when women and children are at risk and prevent serious bodily injury or murder resulting from domestic violence? We are taught to call 9-1-1 in cases of emergency. The unfortunate reality is that most victims of domestic violence do not call the police for help. Only one in four women will ever report the assault to the police. Most women suffer in silence or rely on family and friends for support. In spite of the increased awareness about domestic violence, loved ones do not often recognize the warning signs, particularly those risk factors leading to death. In memory of Maria Catroppa, Surrey Womens Centre is collaborating with her family, and local residents Alison Soroka and award-winning film maker John Banovich to launch a campaign to help women identify risk factors for domestic violence and access critical resources such as the Surrey Womens Centre. It is our hope to honour the life of Maria by helping other women living in fear for their lives. On behalf of our board, staff and volunteers, we dedicate our Annual Report to Maria and other women who died at the hands of their husbands. In loving memory, Connie Bonsteel Board President Sonya Boyce Executive Director

Womens centres are often the first and sometimes the only place that women will call for help.
Since 2002, however, significant policy changes resulting in cuts to essential services have had a profound impact on the safety of women and children. This year alone we have seen the closure of four more womens centres located Cranbrook, Comox Valley, Kelowna and Vernon. It is with the support of our community that Surrey Womens Centre continues to provide critical and essential services that keep women and children safe.

On November 24, 2009 Maria Catroppa, devoted mother of four children, was stabbed to death by her husband in their Surrey home. This key note address was delivered by Dr. Jay Tuason, Marias eldest daughter, at the inaugural conference of the Surrey Coalition Against Domestic Abuse. As part of her moving tribute to her mother, Jay acknowledged the support her family continues to receive from Surrey Womens Centre.
On November 24th, 2009 local papers ran the following news article: An elderly Fleetwood man is accused of stabbing his wife to death in their Monta Rosa townhouse. Neighbours were awoken by screaming at about 3:20 am at the townhouse complex, in Surrey. Police found the body of 69-year-old Maria Catroppa in one of the units and arrested her 74-year-old husband, who is facing a charge of second-degree murder. Many of us unfamiliar with domestic violence would read the article and say, why didnt she just leave him? What did she do to bring this on? And of course, This wouldnt happen in my family. Now that this has happened to our family, I realize how destructive these comments can be and how critical it is to have the services that your organizations provide. As someone who loves and values education, I turned to books and articles to help me deal with the grief of my mothers murder. In my head I knew that women who experienced domestic violence were not at fault and that the reasons women stay in abusive relationships are varied and complex, however, I must admit that I often found myself wondering why these women stayed why didnt they just leave? Why didnt my mother just leave? I had much to learn and as I learned I found myself more and more thankful for the services your organizations provide. When I couldnt sleep (and these were many nights), I would read various books and articles on domestic 6 violence. What I read caused me a great deal of sadness and made me rethink my views on domestic violence. Id like to share with you some things I learned. Legal systems around the world, including our own, consider the murder of ones wife a less serious crime than the murder of a stranger. This stance of a lesser murder is based on societys view of women, a view that devalues women and relegates them to the fulfillment of a womans role. Unfortunately, in general, all societies, in varying degrees, consider women inferior to men. They often view women as filling a specific role, which includes duties for her husband. Any non-fulfillment of her role then makes her murder seem less of a crime. To provide some perspective on the magnitude of the problem, Id like to share some recent statistics. In his book The War on Women, Valle (2007) detailed that: From 2000 to the end of 2006, the total of all U.S. military and law enforcement deaths, including accidents and suicides was 4,588. The combined total of all Canadian military and law enforcement deaths in that same period was 101. In that same seven years, more than 8,000 women in the U.S. were shot, stabbed, strangled, burned or beaten to death by the intimate males in their lives. While in Canada, over 500 women, five times more than Canadian soldiers and police officers, were killed by their current or former male partners. Even adding in all the victims of 9/11 to the U.S. law enforcement and military total, its still less than the number of women killed by their spouses. 7

Incredible statistics yet society, rather than dealing with the issue, often blame the victim for staying in the relationship or for not fulfilling her role as a woman. Holding the victim responsible for her murder only serves to shift the blame from the murderer to the victim. This shift in blame increases the murderers chances of receiving bail, a lesser charge, for example second degree murder or manslaughter vs. first degree murder, and a lesser sentence. One victim of spousal abuse described her feelings in this way, As easy as it may be to judge a woman who chooses to stay in an abusive relationship, its a lot more difficult to listen to her story (Valle, 2007). And so as difficult as it is to share we hope youll listen to our mothers story.

university professor. We, her four children and seven grandchildren, were in contact with her daily, and saw her several times a week. As close as we were, as much as we loved her and as much as she meant to us, we still missed the signs, ignored the clues, and thought that she and her spouse were just another normal married couple. As painful as reliving what happened to her is for us, were telling her story so that other families dont miss the signs and ignore the clues. Were telling her story so that men who murder their spouses dont get out on bail or receive lesser charges or sentences because it was only a domestic homicide. We cant bring our mother back, but we hope that by telling her story, we can help prevent this from happening to other women. Before I continue, Id like to share with you one of the many coincidences (or as I like to call it, fate) that surround our moms death. On June 4th, 2009 in this very building I gave the convocation speech to the graduating class. I was asked to give the speech and to share my story of lifelong learning with students, their parents, families and friends. I decided to dedicate the speech to my parents and the many like them who had immigrated to Canada to find a better life for their children. I invited my mother to the ceremony and the celebration dinner afterwards. She came to the ceremony but declined the dinner because her husband didnt want her to be gone that long yet another clue Id missed. My mother sat in the back of the room so that she could leave and get back to her husband as quickly as possible. She phoned me later to tell me how proud she was and how much my father would have loved to hear my speech and how sorry she was to miss the dinner. The story I am about to share with you today is similar to the speech I gave in this room on June 4th, 2009.

My mother, Maria Catroppa was born in 1940 in a small town in southern Italy. In those days, girls were not sent to school. Instead they stayed home, cooked, cleaned and looked after their siblings. She led a relatively normal life for her time. At the age of 18 she met and married our father, the love of her life and moved to Canada. Our parents, like so many, came to Canada in search of a better life. What they lacked in wealth and a formal education, they more than made up for in enthusiasm, hope and a willingness to work hard for a good life in this exciting new country they now called home. Like all parents, our parents wanted the best for their children education, they would say, is the key to success. Go to school, work hard and you will achieve great success. Whats equally as important however are the lessons our parents taught us about informal education. This we learned by watching them. Our parents were role models in demonstrating their love, passion, hard work and dedication to family. They were always learning, growing and adapting. Their family was everything to them. For many years we were the typical new immigrant family, living the Canadian dream mom, dad and four kids. However our world was turned upside down in 1973 when our father was killed in a hunting accident. A few days after my fathers death, my uncle whod been hunting with him, talked to us about his last conversation with my father. They were in front of the campfire, talking about life, family and their hopes and dreams for the future. My dad spoke of his dream for his children, the hope that they would go to university and have a successful life. That one of them would become a university professor this is one of the reasons I do what I do. To honour my parents and to do my part to make their dreams come true, in just a few days, Nov. 12th to be exact, I will be graduating with my PhD. This was supposed to be a big celebration with my mother and family. One of the last conversations I had with my mother was about her coming to my graduation ceremony and the fact that I would soon be called Dr. Tuason. Although she wont be there in body, I know she and my dad will be there in spirit cheering me on as I fulfill our dream.

Maria lost the father of her children in 1973. She fought adversity throughout her life, but never let it define her.

Against all odds, our mother kept the family together, she worked hard to keep food on the table and to maintain a roof over our heads she role-modeled again and again her love, incredible strength, ability to adapt and to learn, and her desire to keep the family together. She continued to spread her light to everyone she touched. Hers and our dads goals for the family didnt change they were a bit more challenging to achieve, but they didnt change. We had very little after our dad died but somehow our mom managed to make something out of nothing. No matter what, she always put food on the table. To this day, we dont quite know how she managed to stretch such little food into such wonderful feasts. Friends and family who came to the door were never turned away they were always welcomed and always fed. Her ability to keep a smile on her face, a sparkle in her eye and to share her love with all who entered is a testament to her incredible spirit.

She gave us a childhood full of memories, smiles and full stomachs. Marias grandson

Our mother touched many lives. Mom was our light, our rock, our friend, our confidante, our protector, our provider, our guide, our father, our mother and our hero. She raised us to be strong and independent. She was proud of what shed accomplished with so little. She would often say, I have four children, two are business owners, one is a transportation worker and the other is a

The signs stopped at approximately 3:20 am on November 24, 2009 when he stabbed her to death 126 times. She was killed while she slept. In hindsight, we should have worried, everything wasnt ok and she couldnt look after herself. The one who promised to love, honour and cherish her did no such thing. He murdered her instead. Unfortunately weve learned, albeit too late for our mother, that her story is eerily similar to many stories of spousal abuse and murder. We want these stories to stop. Decreasing the prevalence of violence against women requires challenging its acceptance, especially the many ways in which victims are blamed and perpetrators excused. We need to provide support for women who are abused and strong sentences for those who murder and abuse them. To decrease the incidence of such violence, we must however make prevention a priority.

This is why the work you do is so important. You are on the front lines of this war against women and for all that you do we are forever thankful. The support weve received during this dark period in our lives has been immeasurable. Yet we almost didnt receive this much needed support. We came to know of the Surrey Womens Centre by coincidence or as I like to think of it, fate. I like to call it the story of our three Marys. The first Mary was our mother, and our first shelter from the storm of our fathers death. During the first few days after our mothers death, we met another Mary, Marion, the director of the funeral home. These first few days were a dark fog of grief and disbelief I cant adequately describe the pain we were feeling. Thankfully, Marion was like a safe harbor amidst the storm. She not only helped us through the funeral arrangements, the ceremonies, the entombment and the many decisions that needed to be made during this difficult time, she also intervened when our mothers body wasnt released on time by the coroners office. She would take us into a quiet corner to talk to and console us and she did what she could to shelter us. And this Marion also sent us the third Mary, Maryam from the Surrey Womens Centre she is here today. Our third Mary, Maryam from the Surrey Womens Centre has been with us since before we even realized it. She was called when we decided that rather than flowers for our mothers funeral, we would like funds to go to help women who had experienced domestic violence. Marion, the funeral director called the Surrey Womens Centre to set this up for us. And so, it was through this act of charity that our third Mary was sent to us. Maryam was there during the prayers, during the funeral service and during the entombment. It was only after we laid our mom to rest and Marion the funeral directors role was completed, that Maryam from the Surrey Womens Centre stepped in to guide us through this next leg of our journey. Ive often thought, What would we do without Maryam? or Thank goodness we have Maryam or I know, Ill ask Maryam. Shes helped us through the maze of legal proceedings, the victim services issues, explained what was happening in the court room and what would happen next. She was there with her arms around me when I sat in the court room and heard that my mother had been stabbed

126 times and when I couldnt bear it anymore, she would whisper in my ear the words, any words, that would help me to keep going.

Mom was our hero. Marias daughter.

Mom always said she would not remarry until her children were grown and on their own. She always put others needs above her own. And so, in June of 1999, when her youngest child was 29 years old, she married the man who would, ten years later, murder her. Although in hindsight we could say that we should have known we should have known he would do this because; he would stand over her bed several times a night staring at her, he controlled her with money (leaving $20 in the bedside table for her weekly spending money), he would push and shove her, mom would hide the knives in the house because she was afraid he would harm her, she would hide in the bedroom and whisper when she talked to us on the phone, she would not leave the house because he didnt want her to go out, she missed special occasions with her children and grandchildren because she had to stay with him and the list goes on. We now wonder what she didnt tell us. The secrets that she dared not share. When we questioned her or asked her to explain, she would get embarrassed and say it was ok, she was only exaggerating. Dont worry, everything is ok. I can look after myself, she would say. In hindsight, there were so many signs, until there were none.

In hindsight, there were so many signs, until there were none. The signs stopped at approximately 3:20 am on November 24, 2009 when he stabbed her to death 126 times.

Were telling her story so that other families dont miss the signs and ignore the clues. Were telling her story so that men who murder their spouses dont get out on bail or receive lesser charges or sentences because it was only a domestic homicide. We cant bring our mother back, but we hope that by telling her story, we can help prevent this from happening to other women.

Friends and family were always welcome. Marias daughter.

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On Sept. 28th of this year my mother would have turned 70. Of course she didnt live to see her 70th birthday, and of course this was a painful day for our family this was the first birthday without her. On this day I received an email from Maryam that said, Im thinking about you and I hope all is well. Say hello to your family and call me if you need me. I replied, Thanks for the email, do you know that today is moms birthday? She replied, No but something made me reach out to you today. Coincidence? Maybe. Yet another coincidence is Maryams appearance and demeanor she looks and acts like our mother a big personality in a tiny package, coincidence? Maybe. The other day my sister and I were talking about Maryams resemblance to our mother and she reminded me that our ancestors had come from Persia, now called Iran, Maryams birthplace. Coincidence? Maybe. I like to call it fate. We were fortunate, fate brought us our Marys but I wonder about the other victims. The victims that havent found their Marys, what do they do? How do they cope? Im not sure how to fix this, however it must begin with greater coordination with the various victim services groups, the police and the prosecutors office.

maria catroppa
memorial award fund
She was born Maria Candeloro. Her name literally translated means Mary, candle of gold.

I cant speak for all victims but I can say that for our family, we were too grief stricken to find help. Help had to be offered and once offered it was like a lifeline that we couldnt release. We continue to hold onto this lifeline as we await the trial and all that comes with it. Here again, we will lean on Maryam to help us through this next leg of our journey to find justice for our mom. So as I conclude my mothers story, I leave you with some final thoughts: Prevention is critical women need a safe place to go and to feel valued and deserving of help. We missed the signs of our mothers situation we need to learn from hers and others stories. It is places like the Surrey Womens Centre that can help educate, provide a safe harbour in the storm and ultimately prevent what happened to our mother from happening to others. Coordination amongst offices and services is vital dont leave it to fate for others to find their Mary. Talk to each other, coordinate services and refer people like us to the appropriate services. And finally, thank you! What you do is so vitally important you make a difference to the lives of abused women and their families. We need you and appreciate all that you do. Please continue to be that lifeline, that shelter in the storm.

The family has created the Maria Catroppa Memorial Award at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to help single mothers who may not otherwise be able to further their education. What better way to honour her memory and to help women in need than to create an award in her name? says Giuseppina Osterman, Marias daughter.

It has been a privilege for Surrey Womens Centre to learn Marias story. We have had the honour of sharing in private memories, photos and stories. The Catroppa Familys immeasurable grief is only matched by their infinite compassion to tell her story to save others. Join Marias family and the Surrey Womens Centre in helping women and their families escape violence. Visit www.surreywomencentre.ca to donate a gift today. Maria, may you rest in peace.

I keep a recording of my mothers voice. It is one of her last messages to me. I wont delete it. Marias daughter

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Since 2006, nine women, including Maria Catroppa have been killed by their partners in the city of Surrey alone. It is clear that our mission to increase the safety and supports for women and children is as relevant today as it was in the past when we opened our doors 19 years ago.
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surrey, bc july 2007 Shemina Hirji Cheema, Surrey school Principal was found dead in the Burnaby home which she shared with her husband of less than one week. Her husband, Paul Cheema, reported the death as a home invasion. Two years earlier, Cheema had been convicted of forcible confinement, uttering threats and attempted kidnapping in two separate incidents involving his former fiance in Winnipeg. While never identified as a suspect in Sheminas murder, Paul Cheema killed himself two months later. surrey, bc august 21, 2008 Manjit Kaur Sandhu and her 22-year-old daughter, Sabrina, surrey, bc june 21, 2006 Manhendra Singh is charged in the shooting deaths of his two stepsons, Amarjit, 17, and Ranjit, 15, and the attempted murder of his third wife, Sukhwinder Kaur Johal. Sukwinders throat was slit and she was beaten with the same rifle that killed her two sons. Singh pled guilty to two counts of second degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, eligible for parole in seventeen years. surrey, bc october 2006 Manjit Panghali, 39, pregnant, was strangled to death and her charred body was later found near a Delta waterway. Over four years later, her husband, Mukhtiar Panghali was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, eligible for parole in fifteen years. surrey, bc november 2006 Navreet Waraich, mother of a four-month-old boy, was stabbed in her basement suite and later died in hospital. Two years later, her husband, Jatinder Waraich, was found guilty of second degree murder, eligible for parole in ten years. surrey, bc february 2007 Amanpreet Kaur Bahia, 33, mother of three children, was found face down in a pool of blood in her home. One of her three young children was found crying next to her body. Four years later, three suspects are arrested and charged, including Amanpreets husband, Baljinder Singh Bahia, 41. The case is still pending. surrey, bc february 2011 The body of Jennifer Ferguson, 40, of Surrey is found wrapped in plastic and dumped in a ditch near a popular North Vancouver sports park. Fergusons live-in boyfriend, Harvey Frank Bracken, is charged with one count of manslaughter. surrey, bc june 03, 2010 Marianthi Teresa Tsanas, 25, was shot several times and found lying in the middle of a Surrey street suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. Her boyfriend, Aaron Ogrodnick, the only suspect in the murder later kills himself. surrey, bc november 24, 2009 Maria Catroppa, 69, mother of four children was stabbed to death in her bed. Almost two years later, her second husband, Sebastiano Damin was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, eligible for parole in ten years. He is currently appealing his sentence. surrey, bc september 25, 2008 Melissa Chatham, 24, was beaten to death in front of her 9-year-old son in their Surrey home. Her ex-boyfriend, Kelly David McKenzie, 37, was charged with second degree murder but pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. With credit for time served, he is already eligible for unescorted temporary passes. are shot to death. Following three psychiatric examinations her husband, Harpaljit Sandhu, pleads guilty to manslaughter in October 2009.

remembered

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programs

programs
victim services
Our Victim Service program served 2,702 women, children and men impacted by violence, an increase of eleven percent compared to last year. Our Crisis and Court teams are trained in the following core competencies: crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, advocacy, as well as orientation and accompaniment to legal proceedings. Each team, however, has its own specific area of expertise.

court team
Our Court Team primarily supports abused women and children who are required to testify in criminal proceedings. We assist them to navigate the criminal justice system from the police investigation through court disposition and any subsequent parole processes. Our team is specially trained to liaise with the police, Crown Counsel and other key stakeholders in the criminal justice system to ensure that safety is the foremost consideration throughout the investigation, prosecution and supervision of offenders. Both teams routinely coordinate supports and services that address the individual needs of women and children including informal supports, such as, empathetic friends and family members as well as formal services that include medical, legal and social service providers.

crisis team
Our Crisis Team primarily supports women immediately after a physical or sexual assault. We operate a crisis line and provide in-person support for women who often do not report the assault to the police. We support women to access critical resources such as medical treatment and safe housing. Our team is specially trained to support marginalized women who experience multiple barriers when attempting to access support services, and liaise with medical, legal and social service staff to better meet their needs.

resource centre
Our Resource Centre partners with other community agencies to ensure that women and children have access to income, food, clothing and shelter. This year, our team served an increased number of women living in poverty fleeing violence. Our team played a key role in helping women to execute their safety plans by facilitating access to resources that meet their most basic needs. Every month, approximately 175 women rely on our Resource Centre to provide them with free clothing, bedding and assistance accessing low-cost food and housing. Personal care kits remain one of the Resource Centres most popular requests. Care kits include travel-size toiletries like soap, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste. Thanks to our many donors, at Christmas, the Resource Centre played Santa and provided 260 gifts to children living in poverty. 17

Working together, our crisis, court and counselling teams are able to respond to the immediate needs of women at-risk. The collaboration among our program areas include: Clear and consistent internal referral procedures; The use of standardized risk assessment and safety planning tools; Shared models of practice reinforced by joint training opportunities. In addition, our Resource Centre partners with other community agencies to ensure that women and children have access to income, food, clothing and shelter.

Maryam Majedi Program Manager, Victim Services

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PROGRAMS

PROGRAMS

counselling
Our counselling team offers individual and group counselling for women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or childhood abuse. Access to counselling is often a key component of womens safety plans; assisting women to explore the dynamics of violence and the impact of trauma on their lives. Our team supported 216 women, an increase of 33% compared to last year. Our increased capacity was due to new strategies including a Student Counselling Clinic and a nine week drop-in psycho-education group. Currently, there are 201 women awaiting this important service. Working closely with our Victim Service teams, we placed an increased emphasis on screening women in crisis who were either at high-risk of repeat violence or experiencing complex post-traumatic stress responses significantly impacting their daily functioning and safety. As a result the program provided immediate counselling to 19 at-risk women. To support more women impacted by violence, our team expanded its scope to provide counselling to women who received financial compensation through the Crime Victim Assistance Program.

housing and income clinic

Women fleeing domestic violence need money or other means of financial support in order to obtain food, clothing and shelter. In partnership with Newton Advocacy Group, our housing and income clinic supported an increased number of low-income women with chronic health issues apply for disability benefits, subsidized housing and rental assistance. Many of these women were victims of domestic violence living in poverty in need of food, clothing, shelter and other basic necessities. Our team also assists women involved in tenancy disputes by providing information about their legal rights and representation in arbitrations.

success
stories
Julianne, 32, called Surrey Womens Centres crisis line after her husband was arrested for assaulting her with a deadly weapon. Our support worker accompanied her to the hospital to receive urgent medical treatment for her injuries. After she was released from the hospital, Julianne required additional assistance finding a safe place to live and temporary income assistance until she could find a job. Julianne has filed for divorce and is now working as a legal assistant. Nita, 42, was strangled by her husband. Although he was arrested, Nita feared for her life and was too afraid to testify in court. A support worker at Surrey Womens Centre helped her apply for financial compensation through the Crime Victim Assistance Program which she used to relocate to another province. Harjit, 39, who speaks Punjabi as her first language, called Surrey Womens Centre to find out how to apply for separation and custody of her three children after 12 years of marriage. She met with the family law lawyer at Surrey Womens Centre who explained her legal rights and options. Because Harjit was ineligible for legal aid, the family law lawyer agreed to represent her in court. Harjit won custody of her three children.

Ashly, 17, was sexually assaulted by a former boyfriend. A support worker at Surrey Womens Centre accompanied her to the hospital where she agreed to the collection of forensic evidence. The hospital agreed to store the forensic evidence for up to a year in case she decides to report the assault to the police at a later time. Although Ashly decided not to report the assault to the police, she graduated from high school while regularly attending a support group for survivors of sexual assault. Marcie, 39, was referred to Surrey Womens Centre by her Employment Assistance Worker. Marcie and her daughter had fled a 19 year abusive relationship with only a small bag of personal effects and were staying with a friend. Our support worker prepared an emergency hamper that included clothes, toiletries and household items. Three years after accessing services, Marcie is volunteering with a transition house in order to help other women and children fleeing violence. Eve, 63, needed assistance arranging her travel from Calgary to Surrey to testify against her ex-husband on an attempted murder charge. Our support worker helped Eve navigate the criminal justice system by providing orientation and accompaniment to legal proceedings. Eves ex-husband was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment. Surrey Womens Centre remains connected with Eve and will support her throughout future parole hearings. Carlene, 45, was sexually abused as a child. With the help of her counsellor at Surrey Womens Centre, Carlene learned that using alcohol was a survival strategy that allowed her to cope with the impact of the trauma she experienced as a child. Carlenes counsellor helped her to find a detox bed and later a residential treatment program. Carlene stayed connected with her counsellor while in residential treatment and continues to attend counselling as part of her recovery plan.
Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the identities of these women.

family law clinic

In partnership with Access Pro Bono Society, our family law clinic provides professional lawyers who offer free legal information to victims of domestic violence and abuse who cannot afford a lawyer and are ineligible for legal aid. Almost 300 women sought legal support on issues such as child custody and access, guardianship, separation and divorce. The need has grown exponentially as cuts to legal aid mean an increasing number of women are forced to represent themselves in family law matters, including custody and access disputes. Without legal counsel women are accepting unsafe custody and access arrangements and unfair financial support and asset division agreements.

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PROGRAMS

projects

sexual assault response team

Recognizing that the safety of women and children depends on the effective coordination of medical, legal and social service sectors, our efforts build on the strengths and capacity for change at both the individual and community level. At Surrey Womens Centre, we create a multi-sectoral response that includes a broad range of formal and informal partnerships among key stakeholders working with both victims and offenders.
In partnership with the Forensic Nursing Services at Surrey Memorial Hospital, our Sexual Assault Response Team provided 24-hour crisis services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking during the 2010 Olympic Games. During the project, our victim support workers accompanied women to the hospital immediately after an assault to receive urgent medical treatment and in some cases, the collection of forensic evidence to assist in the investigation and prosecution of a criminal offence. In the aftermath of an assault, we helped women navigate complex medical, legal and social service systems in order to increase their safety and available supports. The results of the project indicate that an unprecedented number of women and girls accessed Surrey Memorial Hospital during the 2010 Winter Games. The following groups were most likely to seek medical treatment: Aboriginal women and girls 33% Youth 18% Street level sex workers 23% Consistent with the most recent victimization data, these groups were more likely to sustain serious and/ or life threatening injuries as a result of the assault. In addition, they were also more likely to have experienced early, repeat or prolonged experiences of trauma; and to present with complex post traumatic stress responses including dissociation, substance use, self-injury and suicidal ideation. Based on the results of this project, Surrey Womens Centre is partnering with the Forensic Nursing Services at Surrey Memorial Hospital and many other community agencies to create the Surrey Mobile Assault Response Team that will continue to provide 24-hour crisis services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault accessing the emergency department at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Approximately 30% of women who use our services are South Asian.

south asian income and housing project

In partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, this project increased knowledge of and access to income assistance for South Asian women and children fleeing violence. We helped over 350 women and children apply for financial assistance as well as to secure safe and affordable housing. In addition, to expediting access to income assistance, the project also assisted women to apply for BC Housing ensuring priority housing placement for victims of domestic violence and: Trained local service providers to increase their level of knowledge about the benefits available to women fleeing violence; Developed a series of hand-outs for victims of domestic violence and their advocates; Launched the use of the Ministry of Social Developments new online application system.

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PROJECTS

PROJECTS

truth
the honest
a domestic violence social media campaign
With the support of Mayor Dianne Watts and the Surrey council, Surrey Womens Centre is partnering with local residents Alison Soroka and award-winning film maker John Banovich to launch a social media campaign linked to Facebook and YouTube, titled The Honest Truth. This social media campaign will raise public awareness about domestic violence by profiling the murder of Surrey resident Maria Catroppa, devoted mother of four children stabbed to death by her husband. Before her death, the warning signs of domestic violence were present; however, her family did not know that their mother was in danger. Marias daughters, Jay and Pina will honour their mothers life by recounting the tragic circumstances of her death. Like many Surrey residents, the Catroppa family was unaware of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of serious bodily injury and even death resulting from domestic violence. The social media campaign includes an online public service announcement and an interactive website with links to local resources such as Surrey Womens Centre. The campaign will help women identify risk factors for domestic violence and access critical resources such as the Surrey Womens Centre. 22
Photo: Ed Colley, Surrey Now

Decreasing the prevalence of violence against women requires challenging its acceptance; and to decrease the incidence of such violence, we must make awareness and prevention a priority. Dr. Jay Tuason

making a

positive change
learning opportunities for local service providers
As a member of the Surrey Coalition Against Domestic Abuse Committee, Surrey Womens Centre played an important role in the planning and delivery of a conference for over 150 local service providers entitled: Making a Positive Change: Understanding and Effectively Addressing Domestic Abuse. The key note address was delivered by Dr. Jay Tuason (above photo), daughter of Maria Catroppa. As part of her moving tribute to her mother, Jay acknowledged the support her family continues to receive from Surrey Womens Centre. The committee will host a second conference titled: Making a Positive Change: Breaking the Cycle of Violence for Children and Youth on November 8, 2011. The Surrey Coalition Against Domestic Abuse Committee falls under the City of Surreys Community Safety and Crime Reduction Strategy. The committee brings together community organizations such as Surrey Womens Centre that work towards ending violence against women.

Marias daughter, Jay says, Decreasing the prevalence of violence against women requires challenging its acceptance; and to decrease the incidence of such violence, we must make awareness and prevention a priority.
The public service announcement will be premiered at the Second Annual Conference of the Surrey Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (SCADA) on November 08, 2011.

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PROJECTS

thank you

a special thank you

Surrey Womens Centre thanks everyone who continued to demonstrate their unwavering support of women and children fleeing violence. Your gift, no matter how big or small, allows us to provide critical services for women and children fleeing violence. We gratefully acknowledge the support of our key funders including: Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, United Way of the Lower Mainland, Department of Justice Canada, Coast Capital Savings and Vancouver Foundation. Thank you! To the loved ones of Maria Catroppa who made contributions to Surrey Womens Centre in lieu of flowers at the request of the family. The gifts we received honoured the life of Maria by helping us to help others. On behalf of the board, staff and volunteers at Surrey Womens Centre we thank the Catroppa Family for their ongoing efforts to help others in Marias memory.

in closing
Lastly, our work would not be possible without the passion and commitment of our board, staff and volunteers. As another year comes to an end, we want to extend a very special thank you to our board, staff and volunteers. The accomplishments of the past year would not have been possible without their ongoing commitment, participation and support. Surrey Womens Centres board of directors played a pivotal role in our continued success. They provided the strategic vision, leadership and guidance necessary for us to achieve our goals. Their commitment to ensuring that Surrey Womens Centre continues to open doors for women, children and families has challenged us to think big and exceed our own expectations.

financials
Revenue
Stopping the Violence Program Community Based Victim Services Program Gaming Fundraising United Way Interest Other Grants and Miscellaneous Total Revenue 127,289 472,448 44,992 350,222 46,127 2,078 77,814 1,121,510

Expenditures

At Surrey Womens Centre, we are especially lucky to have the caliber of staff that we do. I wish to acknowledge their extensive knowledge, skills and experience. Throughout the last year, our staff remained committed to our mission and persevered in spite of constant change and increasing demands to do more with less. Their unwavering commitment to Surrey Womens Centre, our clients and community helped make our goals a reality. Each and every day, our volunteers continue to lend a helping hand. They are an integral part of our team. Committed to making a difference, they have contributed countless hours to supporting and answering the business line, cataloguing library books, sorting donations, mailing tax receipts and organizing fundraising activities. We couldnt do it without you! Thank you, once again, for your commitment, time and expertise. Sonya

Advertising and promotion Amortization Bank charges Board costs Clinical supervision Clothing exchange Contract fees and dues Facilities charge and security Fundraising Insurance and licenses Office Photocopier Postage Professional development Professional fees Recruitment Repairs and maintenance Resource materials Support group and special events Telecommunications Transportation and mileage Utilities Volunteer training and development Wages and benefits Total Expenditures Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over Expenditures Surplus, Beginning of year Surplus, End of year

419 6,564 6,765 321 9,046 4,595 17,847 67,648 222,452 4,759 31,950 4,912 4,943 580 27,757 1,340 5,869 85 416 8,592 8,778 6,415 100 679,683 1,121,836 (326) 325,597 325,271 25

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surrey womens centre staff

1 manbeen 2 jamie 3 serena 4 cheryl

1
5 swarandeep 6 ronnie 7 emma 8 zulaikha

4
9 angela 10 maryam 11 bridgid 12 corrine

maria catroppa 1940 - 2009

We still missed the signs, ignored the clues and thought that she and her spouse were just another normal married couple. As painful as reliving what happened to her is for us, were telling her story so that other families dont miss the signs and ignore the clues. Were telling her story so that men who murder their spouses dont get out on bail or receive lesser charges or sentences because it was only a domestic homicide. We cant bring our mother back, but we hope that by telling her story, we can help prevent this from happening to other women. Marias daughter.

10

11

12

13

leadership
(as of march 31, 2010)

connie bonsteel president maureen rogers treasurer louise hara secretary sonya executive director (picture 13)

Staff (not pictured) ashly, brenda, donna, joy, mia, kathleen, pardeep, karin, jenna, ravin, samantha, sandeep, sheena, stephanie, teresa, vanessa, yvonne

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women need a safe place to go and to feel valued and deserving of help. we missed the signs of our mothers situation. we need to learn from hers and others stories. it is places like the surrey womens centre that can help educate, provide a safe harbour in the storm and ultimately prevent what happened to our mother from happening to others.
surrey womens centre po box 33519 central city surrey, british columbia v3t 5r5 support 604.583.1295 fax 604.589.2812 www.surreywomencentre.ca