Sikh leaders address violence

November 21st, 2006 by admin

Local Indo-Canadian leaders say the recent violence against South Asian women in the Lower Mainland is cause for introspection for the Punjabi community.

Last month two prominent Surrey women in the ethnic community were murdered and another was critically shot by her estranged husband before he took his own life, and these incidents have raised questions concerning the level of domestic violence.

A community forum in Surrey last week, hosted by a Punjabi radio station, drew 1,500 people together to talk about the problem. Several women said isolation, shame and cultural barriers have hidden the problem of spousal violence in their community. Others claimed that the male-dominated cultures in India have contributed to abuses inflicted on their women in Canada.

In Williams Lake a large Punjabi community has flourished for four decades. Sikh leader and sawmill owner, Gian Singh Sandhu, says he is appalled by the recent string of violence against the women in the Lower Mainland, but he says he’s not aware of the same level of domestic violence occurring in Williams Lake.

“Williams Lake is a very close-knit, family-oriented community where families are in touch with each other,” he says. “People here are able to find resolution (before the things get that far out of hand).”

Sandhu, a resident of Williams Lake since the early 1970s and a leader in the Gurdwara Western Singh Sabha, says he has a good idea of what is going on within his ethnic community.

“Nothing of this nature has come to my attention.”

At the same time he says Indo-Canadians need to take a serious look into what is causing the violence, and he says it raises many questions.

“Is it cultural differences? Girls and boys coming from the old country? I’m all for addressing the problem.”

He says people will find resolution more quickly if they know who to go to.

Irene Willsie, executive director of the Women’s Contact Society applauds Sandhu’s willingness to address the problem.

While she isn’t comfortable talking about problems within any specific ethnic group, she says Williams Lake is no different than any other place.

“I can’t be comfortable saying there are no issues of violence in the Indo-Canadian community. Spousal violence is pervasive in any segment in the community and knows no ethnic nor socio-economic boundaries.”

Willsie is quick to add that there is an unacceptable level of spousal violence in Williams Lake, more than many other parts of the province, and she says the services offered by the Women’s Contact Society are open to all women.

“Our services are not segregated. We don’t differentiate by ethnic group or social class.”

Willsie isn’t convinced that just because Williams Lake is a small community compared to the Lower Mainland that it means less domestic violence here as a result.

“A woman could be faced with having to ask for help from people who are relatives or colleagues of the abuser. In a smaller community it could work in reverse and be more difficult to ask for help.”

She says immigrant women are very vulnerable when their offender may also happen to be their sponsor.

“They’ll be reluctant to ask for help because they may not be eligible for social assistance if they leave their sponsor and their ability to look after their basic needs may be compromised.”

City councillor Surinderpal Rathor, who has lived in Williams Lake for more than 30 years, says most local Indo-Canadians are long time immigrants or were born in Canada. As a result he says most have had time to adopt more aspects of Canadian culture.

“We haven’t forgotten the traditions of the old country. At the same time we respect everybody’s equal rights regardless of gender or status in the family.”

He says the Sikh faith holds women in high regard.

“Guru Nanak praised the female and gave her the highest place in Sikh culture.”

Rathor says there are bad apples in every society.

“Even in Surrey, no question. But you can’t condemn a whole ethnic group because of a couple of bad apples.”

After some careful reflection, local business owner Bob Sunner agrees the Punjabi community has its share of problems, but likely no more than other ethnic groups in the society.

He says high profile incidents like the recent murders in Surrey cause the Punjabi community to do a lot of introspection. But he says the world is changing, even in India, where individuals are demanding broader freedoms, greater equality and more respect for personal choices.

Willsie invites members of the local Punjabi community to join her group’s National Day of Remembrance candle light walk on Dec. 6.

She says the annual event for action on violence against women starts at 5:45 p.m. at city hall and ends at the Longhouse where food and beverages will be served.

“It will be an opportunity for the local Indo-Canadian community to honour the women who have fallen in the Lower Mainland,” Willsie says.

Source: Williams Lake Tribune

By Sage Birchwater Tribune Staff Writer
Nov 17 2006

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