I just got approved to be at Word On The Street once again this year. I am now pondering if I want to pay the $800.00. I've been a regular since I wrote my first book. I replied stating I was hoping to pay less. This year I asked for a micro table which means half of the regular table and willingness to share with another author. I have to think about this. This is where my readers usually find me. Wish me luck.
Last night on the news the Ontario Provincial Police was under fire. There were three comments from Officers which upset the speaker, a survivor of sexual assault. I was surprised because I attended a three day sexual assault course held by an OPP female Officer. She was fantastic. The first speaker was a survivor who told us of her sexual assault experiences, to prepare us for what we were going to hear. The survivor had reported to the OPP Officer of her assault and she said she was able to relate her story to her because she never once looked at her watch. I penetrated that statement into the crevice of my brain. I have probably told that story here somewhere or not, but I think it is time to share it again because of the news last night. This woman on our first day stood at the front of the class room facing us as she told us of her father and brother sexually assaulting her until she was old enough to leave. After the report and the investigation began, her mother told her daughter that she had brought shame to her family and shut the door on her. At the time, I felt so bad for this courageous woman. I was also acutely aware that the OPP police woman never looked at her watch and this was important to the survivor. She was more important than the time. The survivor was thanked by the Officer and provided with a gift which is the norm for speakers. The three days consisted of more speakers from various communities and problem solving from various organizations. The purpose aside from educating us and watching bonched interviews was so we could return to our places of work and co-ordinate the same. At the end of the three days we provided our assessment. From what I can determine, the OPP sexual assault Course on last night's news condemned the written comments from a survior of sexual assault. My first question was why on earth did the survivor read these comments. One of the comments was that the survivor suffered trauma, was broken, and need to see a Psychologist. Police Officers are not therapists. My training consisted of three years of psychology at a Bachelar level. Another two years of a Masters program in Ministry and Spirituality combined with three years of Pastoral Counselling, one summer unit of Chaplaincy and an internship at a hospital working with People suffering from Aids, cancer and Palitive care. To say the least, I had an intense and extensive education, a far cry from a few weeks of this sexual assault training. The Police are not therapists or counsellors. They are hired to protect the public and enforce the law by charging people within a Judicial System. I remember how in my own training, I was made aware of how my feelings and mood could change within a day depending what was going on in our courses and field of studies. I had to consistenly learn what my biases were and was trained to separate biases from my decision making. I do not blame the OPP Officers who made the comments. I blame their instructors and managment. Last night news bashed the Officers and it was demanded that these Officers were to be terminated from working with sexual assault survivors. I disagree. It was brave whether right or wrong for these Officers to record what they thought. This is how they learn. Another thing that was drilled into us was that people are not cars. They are not broken etc.......We learned proper terminology and remember what is proper one time is not in another time and I have seen this over and over again through three different careers where everyone tries to get it right and not offend. It is not appropriate for survivors to read what is written about them from students trying to learn. A few weeks of intense learning simply is not enough and if it has to be, it has to be done right. What made our course work is that the survivor was there with the Officer who had been with her from the beginning. They had a rapport. There was respect. We did write a review at the end of the three days but it wasn't to be seen by anyone outside the OPP Office. In this situation, if it was leaked than heads should roll because confidentiality is always important so people can be corrected with an explaination. What was gleaned from a few, may have been the sentiment of others, but after this, Officers may be afraid to speak their minds and then how can they learn, if they are shamed into silence. This also isn't fair to the survivor since she is trying to be helpful and then felt judged. I think that a debriefing here is required for all the Officers. People come to their employment with a variety of experiences, some horrific, some with love. Biases is included in that and in particular jobs they need to not only learn what is acceptable but recognize biases and limitations of their knowledge by asking questions, so biases can be addressed. Biases is something I have always thought of throughout the years because of my training. What do you think?
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