By Shallima Maharaj, Globe News | Link to Article
Domestic violence remains a significant issue across Canada, yet many cases continue to go unreported.
By Shallima Maharaj, Globe News | Link to Article
Domestic violence remains a significant issue across Canada, yet many cases continue to go unreported.
According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation website, “immigrant women may be more vulnerable to domestic violence due to economic dependence, language barriers and a lack of knowledge about community resources.”
The foundation goes on to say “newcomers who arrive in Canada traumatized by war or oppressive governments are much less likely to report physical or sexual violence to the authorities, for fear of further victimization or even deportation.”
Being able to build bridges and break down barriers has been crucial to Constable Jing Xiao’s job with Saskatoon police. She works closely with immigrants, refugees and international students.
Xiao has noticed a reluctance among new Canadians to report crime, especially domestic violence.
“That could be because sometimes they have had bad experiences in their home countries and they think the police officers are corrupt and violent,” she tells Global News.