News Releases
January 30, 2003
MINISTER CAUCHON ANNOUNCES GRANT THAT WILL SUPPORT A PROVINCE-WIDE CONFERENCE ON WOMEN, MENTAL HEALTH AND SECONDARY VICTIMIZATION
Ottawa -- Health workers, heads of mental health institutions, patients and researchers will come together to examine secondary victimization with the help of a $40 000 grant from Status of Women Canada. The Collectif de défense des droits de la Montérégie plans to organize a two-day conference and provide follow-up initiatives. The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced the grant today on behalf of the Honourable Jean Augustine, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women).
"Dealing with a traumatic event, whether it be through a personal tragedy or a criminal action, requires patience and time," said Mr. Cauchon. "The Collectif de défense des droits de la Montérégie is not only examining secondary victimization, a situation where a patient may relive a traumatic event through an action that triggers a memory of that event, but it is looking to find alternatives policies and protocols to help sensitize workers to the phenomenon to better help their patients."
"The realities for women and men differ greatly in many sectors and policies," said Ms. Augustine. "I am pleased that the Collectif de défense des droits de la Montérégie will recommend a gender-based analysis of current and new practices within mental health institutions."
The Collectif de défense des droits de la Montérégie (CDDM) plans to hold a two-day conference in the Spring, challenging the philosophy behind practices at some institutions and the use of practices, such as restraint, chemical substances and isolation, in relation to the risk of secondary victimization of female patients. Proceedings from the conference will be published, a research project may develop through CDDM's science committee and recommendations for the inclusion of gender-based analysis in the process for review and development of protocols for the use of isolation and restraint in mental health institutes will be considered by an ad hoc committee.
CDDM is a community-based organization that provides support of and promotes respect for the rights of women and men with mental health problems.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the current fiscal framework of the federal government.
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