Gaps in social services for Surrey women: Councillor
Posted April 17, 2013 10:26 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – Following a meeting with service providers, Surrey City Councillor Barinder Rasode says there are holes in the city’s system that is leaving vulnerable women at risk.
She wonders if the gaps didn’t exist could it have prevented one woman from being killed a couple of months ago. Back in December Janice Shore was found badly beaten in Whalley. Two months later Shore died of her injuries and police continue to appeal for any information leading to an arrest.
Rasode feels there are not enough programs available for women who desperately need help.
“When you put the gender lens on issues, there is a significant difference in terms of needs. What we have found in terms of needs; housing is the number one issue. Definitely unlicensed recovery homes that are co-ed in nature have led to some questions of women being exploited and a lack of housing has led to some women still being exploited because they have to make their rent somehow.”
She adds community advocates and agencies are joining forces to make improvements so that women and their families don’t get hurt.
“We’re working at the table with BC Housing, the Ministry of Social Services, with Fraser Health and other agencies. When you provide good circumstances and good skills for one woman, it’s also a generational thing because that will then lead to her children and her grandchildren also being able to have a good quality of life.”
The group will be meeting every month to ensure future deaths are prevented.
