Advocates continue calls for action against IPV after 26-year-old woman killed in Windsor – CBC

Report on Intimate Partner Violence in Windsor and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Overview

A recent homicide in Windsor, identified by police as a case of intimate partner violence, has highlighted critical challenges related to community safety and gender equality. The incident, which occurred during Women’s Abuse Prevention Month, underscores the urgent need for action in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Victim: A 26-year-old woman was found deceased at a residence on Langlois Avenue.
• Suspect: Daniel Nathaniel Assing, 29, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
• Context: This is the fourth homicide in Windsor this year. Local police reported in May that incidents of intimate partner violence had increased by 16 percent compared to the previous year.

Analysis through the Lens of Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The killing represents a severe violation of SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Specifically, it is a failure to meet Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.”

• Local organizations, including Hiatus House and the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, are actively working towards this goal by providing essential services.
• Hiatus House offers 44 emergency shelter beds for women and children fleeing violence.
• Advocates stress that the ultimate objective is to achieve “zero femicides,” directly reflecting the ambitions of SDG 5.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The case highlights a significant gap in safe and accessible housing, a key component of SDG 11, Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.”

• A critical shortage of transitional housing was identified as a barrier for women seeking to leave abusive situations permanently.
• To address this, Hiatus House is planning a 40-unit transitional housing structure, which would allow women and children to secure stable housing for up to two years.
• The project has raised nearly $1 million and is seeking further provincial and federal funding to proceed.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The response to this incident involves multiple institutions central to SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies and access to justice for all.

• The police investigation and subsequent murder charge represent the formal justice system’s role in addressing violent crime (Target 16.1).
• Legal Assistance of Windsor provides crucial support for survivors, helping them navigate legal risks and safety planning, thereby enhancing access to justice (Target 16.3).

Collaborative Strategies and Future Directives

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The community’s response exemplifies SDG 17, which encourages partnerships to achieve the goals. The “Hub Without Walls” project is a multi-agency initiative designed to provide integrated support.

• Over 20 agencies, including Hiatus House, Legal Assistance of Windsor, and the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, are collaborating.
• The project places service navigators and counsellors in accessible community spaces to connect individuals with support services before a crisis occurs.
• This partnership model enhances the effectiveness of individual organizations and creates a more robust support network.

Recommendations and Calls to Action

Based on the reports from community advocates, the following actions are necessary to prevent future tragedies and advance the SDGs:

1. Increase Funding: Secure sustainable provincial and federal funding for front-line services that support victims of intimate partner violence.
2. Develop Safe Housing: Prioritize and fund the development of transitional and long-term housing solutions for women and children fleeing abuse.
3. Enhance Education: Implement widespread educational programs on healthy relationships to address the root causes of gender-based violence.
4. Strengthen Partnerships: Continue to support and expand collaborative initiatives like the “Hub Without Walls” to ensure comprehensive and accessible support for all community members.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article’s central theme is intimate partner violence against a woman, leading to her death (femicide). This directly addresses the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by highlighting a severe form of gender-based violence. The work of organizations like Hiatus House and the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, which support women fleeing abuse, is central to this goal.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article discusses the justice system’s response to the crime, noting the arrest and charge of first-degree murder. It also highlights the role of Legal Assistance of Windsor, which provides legal support to survivors, directly relating to ensuring access to justice for all. The goal of “zero femicides” mentioned by an advocate is a call for reducing violence and related death rates.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article points to a critical need for safe housing for women escaping violence. It mentions that Hiatus House provides emergency shelter but lacks long-term options. The plan to develop “40 units of transitional housing” directly addresses the need for safe and affordable housing for a vulnerable population within the community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

   • The entire article is a case study of this target. It details a femicide resulting from “intimate partner violence” and discusses the broader issue, noting that such incidents “were up 16 per cent compared to last year.” The advocate’s goal of “zero femicides” is a direct call to achieve this target.

2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   • The article reports on a homicide, stating it is “Windsor’s fourth this year.” The discussion of femicide and the efforts of community organizations to prevent such tragedies and support victims are directly aimed at reducing violence and death rates.

3. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

   • The article identifies a gap in services for women after they leave emergency shelters. The executive director of Hiatus House states, “there isn’t a lot available for women afterwards.” The organization’s project to “develop 40 units of transitional housing for women that could house people for up to two years” is a concrete action toward fulfilling this target for a specific vulnerable group.

4. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   • The involvement of Windsor police, who arrested a suspect and laid a charge of first-degree murder, represents the rule of law in action. Furthermore, the services provided by Legal Assistance of Windsor, which “pairs survivors with lawyers and social workers to help them understand the kinds of risks they’re facing and plan for their safety,” directly contribute to ensuring victims have access to justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Rate of Intimate Partner Violence

   • The article explicitly states that “incidents related to intimate partner violence were up 16 per cent compared to last year.” This percentage change serves as a direct indicator for measuring the prevalence of violence against women (Target 5.2).

2. Number of Homicides/Femicides

   • The article mentions that the murder of the 26-year-old woman was “Windsor’s fourth [homicide] this year.” The advocate’s stated goal of “zero femicides” establishes a clear benchmark for success. This number is a direct indicator for measuring progress on reducing violence and related death rates (Target 16.1).

3. Availability of Safe and Transitional Housing

   • The article highlights a specific project by Hiatus House to create “40 units of transitional housing.” The number of available emergency shelter beds (44) and the number of new transitional housing units developed are concrete indicators for measuring access to safe housing for women fleeing violence (Target 11.1).

4. Access to Support and Legal Services

   • The article implies indicators through its description of services. The number of calls to crisis lines at Hiatus House, which “tend to spike” after such tragedies, can measure demand for services. The existence and reach of programs like the one at Legal Assistance of Windsor and the “Hub Without Walls project” can be used to measure access to justice and support systems for survivors (Target 16.3).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbc.ca