Events
Ghosts of Violence
Ghosts of Violence – a multimedia ballet created by the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada – is being performed in Vancouver on Dec. 1 and 2 to bring the issue of domestic violence against women into the spotlight. In Canada, 10 per cent of women are abused each year by a spouse, partner or boyfriend.
The performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 2 at the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Woodward’s (149 W Hastings St, Vancouver). Tickets are $35; students and seniors pay $21. Purchase tickets online at WeCanBC.ca or call 604.873.3311.
“This is a difficult subject, it is very emotional to dance,” said Anya Nesvitaylo, who plays the lead female role. “I feel a huge responsibility in this ballet. This work is so important for everyone, everywhere.”
Beautiful dancing, choreographed violence and five multimedia screens present a powerful call for awareness, understanding and action.
“I can give these silent victims a voice,” said Artistic Director Igor Dobrovolskiy, who created the ballet. “I use a lot of symbolism because we want to create dialogue - we want people to see this performance and to talk about what they have seen.”
In addition to the performance itself, there will be a number of supplementary events, such as a dialogue with the creators of the ballet, local community groups and organizations that work on addressing violence in our community.
“These events provide the audience with an opportunity to discuss and learn about the ballet’s messages,” said Anastasia Gaisenok, project coordinator for We Can BC, which is bringing Ghosts of Violence to Vancouver as part of a three-year national tour.
Michael Boucher, director of cultural development and programming at SFU Woodward’s, added, “SFU Woodward’s Cultural Unit is thrilled to join forces with the We Can BC Coalition in presenting Ghosts of Violence, a ballet by the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada. This unique performance represents the struggles of women who have been victims of domestic violence and homicide. Through passionate storytelling, the performance will raise awareness and dialogue around a critical societal issue which is often overlooked.”
BCSSTA Conference
JES thanks all the teachers who attended our presentations or stopped by our table at the BC Social Studies Teachers Association’s Fall Conference. Many enthusiastic teachers learned about Being an Active Citizen and The Law Project. See you next year!
JES Work Presented by Rick Craig
Rick Craig, executive director of the Society, continues to be active across Canada in leading presentations that describe how JES is using technology to deliver legal education programs and resources.
On October 14, he outlined the Society’s self-help resources for the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta. JES has received requests to adapt its resources for self-representing litigants from Albertan judges for use in their province.
Also, on December 6 Rick will participate in a panel titled Judicial and Security Sector Reform in Central America at the Ministerial Dialogue on the Americas, which is taking place in Ottawa. Rick will detail the Society’s work in the region, which you can read about here.
Take Your Kids to Work Day
On November 2, the Society’s Vancouver Law Courts regional office invited staff at the Vancouver Law Courts and Robson Square courthouses to bring their Grade 9 students to work. 55 students went courtwatching and heard speakers – including a court clerk, sherriff and Supreme Court justice – explain their careers in the justice system. In particular, Crown Counsel Linda Selbie MacDonald told an inspirational story about one of the youth she dealt with.
And in New Westminster on November 3, three law clerks facilitated a day for grade nine students. Seven justice system personnel spoke, including a Crown Counsel, defense lawyer and Justice of the Peace.
New Resources
Virtual Self-Help
On November 1, the Society started an exciting new project that will introduce virtual public legal education and information (PLEI) services to British Columbians. This will be accomplished by providing interactive, guided assistance on SupremeCourtBC.ca, SmallClaimsBC.ca and AdminLawBC.ca, and by launching online chat and telephone support for clients with civil matters in BC’s Supreme Court.
Working in cooperation with a range of PLEI organizations including the Ministry of Attorney General, Vancouver Justice Access Centre, Legal Services Society, PovNet, People’s Law School, Courthouse Library and others, the Society will develop resources and services throughout 2012, with the rollout of new virtual self-help tools and services in January 2013.
The Law Project
LawProject.ca launched in October. This multimedia website helps students learn about BC justice issues by integrating videos, images and text to provide learning resources that students can then work with to create their own videos to explain their view on a justice issue. Teachers can modify supplied lesson plans to deliver instruction that is customized to meet their needs.
WeCanGlobal.org
On November 25, the Society launched its latest website: WeCanGlobal.org. This new resource is the online home of the worldwide We Can End All Violence Against Women campaign. WeCanGlobal.org features information, news, history and Change Maker stories for 15 countries with active national campaigns. In conjunction with the website, the Society also launched www.Facebook.com/WeCanGlobal as a new online destination to provide information and recruit Change Makers into the campaign.
Youth Against Violence
The Youth Against Violence program, funded by the Status of Women and in support of the We Can BC Campaign, is continuing to run across BC. This program works to mobilize groups of youth in schools and communities to raise awareness about violence against women and girls. To date, training has been conducted in Nelson, Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island, and throughout the Lower Mainland. Recruitment and training will continue on an ongoing basis across the province. Anyone interested in getting involved or learning more should contact Tamarah.Prevost(at)JusticeEducation.ca.
Annual Report
Our 2010-11 Annual Report is now available online. Highlights include introducing over 20,000 students to BC’s court, serving over 5,600 immigrants through our Court Information Program for Immigrants and achieving over 270,000 visitors to our websites. You can also order a hard copy of the report by emailing Info(at)JusticeEducation.ca.
Resource Updates
Resource of the Month
Though the Heavens Fall is a documentary that describes the Court of Appeal - what it is, what it does, and how it upholds values that are cornerstones of a free and democratic society. It highlights important changes, such as the introduction of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as gay marriage, and illustrates how concepts such as the rule of law and judicial independence are critical to the health of our justice system. A teacher’s guide is included.
Website of the Month
Are you a victim of or witness to a crime in British Columbia? VictimsInfo.ca will give you the resources and information you need to deal with the consequences of crime. Topics include Services for Victims, Reporting a Crime, Criminal Charges, Going to Court and Sentencing.
Program Updates
We Can End All Violence Against Women
In support of the We Can End All Violence Against Women BC campaign, JES Project Assistant Tamarah Prevost had the opportunity to attend the We Can Global Network conference in Nepal on October 28-29.
In addition to Canada, 14 countries were represented, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Burundi. Attendees learned about how the We Can campaign changes in so many diverse cultural contexts. The We Can Global Network was launched on November 30 and in years to come the campaign will work to have this day recognized worldwide as We Can Day – a day to support ending all violence against women. For more information about the campaign, and to learn about We Can Global, visit WeCanGlobal.org.
Society News
New Staff
JES is excited to welcome three new staff members to our team!
- Shadi Riahi – Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
- Daniela Ugarte – International Finance Assistant
- Elias Tekle – Senior International Accountant
Movember
Five JES staff members grew mustaches for Movember – the annual campaign to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer. Together JES staff, family and friends raised over $1,100! A special thanks goes out to all Robson Square courthouse staff that supported our head office’s bake sale!
Holiday Hours
The Society’s BC-based offices will be closed to the public from December 23 until January 3. JES wishes all of our Justice In Our Times readers a happy holiday season!