Action Taken by the Committee on the Status

of Women Respecting the Jane Doe Case

The Corporate Services Committee submits, for the information of Council, the following communication (September 25, 1998) from the Committee Administrator, Committee on the Status of Women:

At its meeting on September 17, 1998 the Committee on the Status of Women had before it, for information, the decisions made by City Council on July 8, 9 and 10, 1998 regarding the Jane Doe Case.

Councillor McConnell, Chair of the Committee, gave an overview of the consolation meeting with women's organizations held on September 3, 1998 to follow-up on Council's decisions with respect to the Jane Doe Case. The Committee also had before it for consideration the suggestions made by the participants at that consultation meeting.

The Committee discussed the importance of ensuring follow up and implementation of recommendations arising from the audit. There was also discussion of the importance of consulting with experts in the area of violence against women as the audit progresses. The importance of the report being written in clear language was emphasized.

The Committee decided to undertake immediately the following three tasks:

(1)to proceed with setting up the membership of the Reference Group for the Audit;

(2)to ask groups with work in the area of violence against women to recommend consultants to the City Auditor for consideration;

(3)to develop a proposal to the Police Services Board with respect to the implementation of recommendations arising from the community based advisory committee, regarding gender equality, sexual assault, family violence issues, etc.

The Committee took the following action:

(1)Endorsed the suggestions made by the participants at the consultation meeting held on September 3, 1998.

(2)Recommended that a community representative and Councillor Pam McConnell, Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women, Co-chair the Reference Group for the Audit.

(3)Requested Keiran Chalmers to represent the Committee on the Status of Women on the Reference Group for the Audit, and Audrey Swail be the alternate member.

(4)Requested Councillor Pam McConnell, Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women, to proceed with setting up the membership of the Reference Group for the Audit.

(5)Requested that this action be forwarded for information to City Council, the Police Services Board, and the City Auditor.

Recommendations adopted by the Committee on the Status of Women from Consultation held with Women's Organizations on September 3, 1998:

(1)That the following suggestions be forwarded to the Committee on the Status of Women for its meeting on September 17, 1998 and that they be circulated prior to the meeting.

(2)That a follow up meeting be held in one month's time with the women's organizations invited to attend the consultation on September 3, 1998.

(3)That Councillor Pam McConnell, Chair, Committee on the Status of Women, be requested to follow up on these suggestions.

(4)That the Committee on the Status of Women act as facilitator for the establishment of the Reference Group. It is understood that, for the purpose of the audit, the Reference Group is advisory to the Auditor:

(a)that the proposed audit be undertaken from the framework of gender equity which recognizes the diversity of women's backgrounds;

(b)that the definition of gender equity be complete and include the diverse backgrounds of women, and especially recognize that women have multiple dimensions to their lives;

(c)that the proposed audit process include hearing from victims/survivors;

(d)that there be a relationship between the Reference Group for the audit and the membership of the proposed community advisory committee on gender equality, sexual assault, family violence issues, etc.;

(e)that the team include professionals who have a working background in sexual assault/violence against women/policing/community safety; and, if this expertise is not available among audit staff, that external paid professional assistance be obtained;

(f)that honoraria be provided to organizations/persons who are on the Reference Group and on the proposed community advisory committee to recognize the service and expertise provided to the City of Toronto, and the need to backfill staff absences at agencies in order not to reduce services;

(g)that the Reference Group process be open to all wishing to attend meetings, which will include regular meetings during the audit process.

(5)that the Committee on the Status of Women establish a subcommittee on policing.

(6)that the Committee on the Status of Women provide advice to the Police Services Board and City Council on the structure and mandate of the proposed community advisory committee on gender equality, sexual assault, family violence issues, etc.