Contributors

My name is Kruttika Nene and I am currently enrolled in the Paralegal Program at Sheridan College. I have a background in the sciences and the arts; however, I have worked in the legal field for a few years.

For the purposes of this project, I was asked to simplify legal processes and organizations such as 9-1-1 protocol, Office of the Children’s Lawyer, Legal Aid Ontario, and Immigration Sponsorship. In particular, the support available to individuals who face domestic violence in immigrant communities.

This project was particularly interesting to me, as I was once an immigrant myself. Therefore, I understand the value of family when attempting to start a new life away from home. Often for an individual immigrating to Canada, English is not the first language; therefore, the complexity of legislation and proceedings can be intimidating.

My hope is that this Pressbook will provide references, for student learning skills, to assist these individuals.

My name is Katrina Chahal and I’m a recent graduate of Sheridan’s Social Service Worker diploma program. In addition, I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph and I am continuing my studies in social work by attending the University of Laurier’s Masters of Social Work program. I work from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and intersectional feminist framework. I am always finding new opportunities to challenge myself and I have a passion for learning.

This project allowed me to research and read up on experiences of immigrant and refugee women’s experiences with domestic violence. Through completing the literature review with my colleague, Terri Neufeld, I learned about the statistics of domestic violence in Canada, the factors contributing to a women’s vulnerability, women’s responses in these situations, etc. This opportunity taught me how important this information could be for students in various learning fields because domestic violence experiences of immigrant and refugee women touch upon various domains. Thus, this educational piece truly heightened the importance of an intersectional lens when looking at domestic violence cases. Students will truly benefit from this book.

Terri Neufeld

I am a recent graduate from Sheridan’s Social Service Worker – Gerontology program at Sheridan College. I have a heart for helping those experiencing social inequalities in society. Summarizing the experiences and attempting to capture the emotional turmoil of these brave and resilient women was an eye-opening and heart-breaking journey. My hope is that future social service professionals can learn from these cases, gain a different perspective from their own, and build skills and empathy to support immigrant women experiencing the awfulness of domestic violence. To suffer and be harmed by the hands of someone you have put your trust in would be gut-wrenching, and navigating a new country’s supports in a foreign language exacerbating. A culturally sensitive relationship of care needs to be fostered with immigrant women suffering or at risk of domestic abuse. I am pleased to be part of the growing efforts of research, awareness, and innovative programs and supports around this extremely sad phenomenon and long for a day where violence against women is not tolerated in society.

Denise DeJong

If you had asked me a few years ago where I would be in the year 2020, never, would I have imagined that my answer would be a graduate of the Social Service Worker program at Sheridan College. I feel as though my journey is a testament to what can be achieved with determination and faith in the unknown. I took this leap knowing it would be challenging, continuously testing my resiliency time and again. Despite this, never once did I falter nor lose sight of my goal.

Along the way I was given an incredible opportunity to work on this project, to have an impact on the development of material that will be utilized by future SSW’s as they progress through their learning. I am humbled to have been trusted with the material and grateful for the support of my fellow team members. It is through this collaborative spirit that this Pressbook is now complete, ready to support students for years to come.

Maria Aosaf Dawd

First and foremost, I am a proud mother of two beautiful daughters, a wife, and a self-taught baker. Alongside this, I am also a paralegal student at Sheridan College where I have had the opportunity and privilege to begin my journey in the legal profession. At this point, I can finally say that I have achieved the first milestone towards my goals and aspirations. Commitment, dedication, perseverance, and continuously holding myself to the highest standards are characteristics that I apply in all aspects of my life. Implementing these traits to my educational endeavors, I was able to receive an award for high academic achievement.

At the commencement of my role in this project, I immediately knew that I was aligning my research and writing skills with great students and professors. The tasks entailed thorough research on family and criminal law, which can sometimes be intertwined in family related domestic violence cases. I am confident that this project provides an uncomplicated explanation of these sophisticated legal systems.

Seraphina Seuratan

I am the second of three kids born in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and I have always sought new opportunities to expand my professional and educational reach. As a Paralegal Student at Sheridan College, I have learned the importance of being detailed, professional and consistent. I have had the pleasure of working alongside many hardworking mentors and peers to develop other valuable skills related to researching and publishing. Having a passion for searching for the truth and helping others has enabled me to empathize with the situations experienced by the brave women in these case studies and people who experience domestic violence in general. Working on this project was truly enlightening as an international student in Canada it is important to understand such social issues which are present in Canada. I truly hope that the information presented through this book is informative to many and can be used as a tool to help curb the social plague that is Domestic violence.

Jaspreet Kaur

I am a recent graduate of Social Service Worker program from Sheridan College. I have a passion to support and empower people. Currently, I am volunteering as the Manager, Programs and Events with Newcomer Students’s Association of Ryerson (NSAR). It is an honor to be a part of this exceptional research project, which has provided me with the opportunity to implement my learning while enhancing my research as well as other significant skills under experienced mentors. This project has enabled me to understand diverse social locations of women facing domestic violence with an Anti-Oppressive lens. My personal experience of being an international student from India, along with my work with newcomers, has sparked my desire to explore the complexities of domestic violence in immigrant communities. After reading the case studies, I have developed an insight into many triumphs and hardships faced by immigrant women. This book truly reflects various aspects of this social issue and how it impacts women when they migrate to Canada. Also, this book will be a valuable addition to students’ learning, and it will help them to develop different perspectives while dealing with the survivors of domestic violence.