Report from the inquest into the death of 8 year old Jared Osidacz by his father, Andrew Osidacz. Julie Craven, the boy's mother, was also threatened during the incident, but police arrived and killed Andrew Osidacz. Andrew Osidacz had been an abusive husband to Julie Craven but was allowed unsupervised visits with Jared after they divorced.
On July 21. 2010, OAITH wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Dalton McGuinty over the unprecedented curtailment of civil liberties at the June 2010 G20 protests in Toronto. OAITH's Coordinator was one of the many peaceful protestors interrogated and subject to search of property without consent. The number of arrests. The number of arrests, appearance that there is lack of due process, and reports of raids on suspected organizer's sites are enough cause for concern that Canada call a full, independent inquiry to consider the impact of security measures on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, especially freedom of association, assembly, and expression.
In July 2003, OAITH responded to the proposed amendments to the Divorce Act to raise concerns specific to abused women and their children. Topics raised include: child custody issues, including lethality resulting from disputed access; continuation of abusive behaviour after separation or divorce; parenting orders (Section 16); best interests of the child; recognizing the concept of 'family violence'; improving and expediting access to the family law system when family violence is present; legal aid; and training and education of different service agencies involved in divorces and separations where family violence is present.
Jared's Place was founded by Julie Craven (a survivor of domestic violence herself) after her 8 year old son was murdered by his father on a supervised access visit (in 2006). Jared's Place is dedicated towards "systemic and policy change through research and advocacy". Julie speaks about her experiences and the failures of the criminal justice system and child protection services.
On January 28, 2013, OAITH wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to express solidarity with the Idle No More movement. OAITH urges the government to repeal legislation that violates Treaties and Indigenous Sovereignty. The changes in Bill C-45 give many powers to the government which are in violation of international standards, and undermine traditional territories.
In January, 2008, OAITH made a submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs regarding the provincial budget issues that affect women and children experiencing violence. Suggestions for implementation and improvement include: minimum wage, pay equity and social assistance to allow women more economic independence; housing; child care; support for women's services, including shelters and SACs, legal support, and interpreter services. OAITH was a member of the Step It Up campaign and drew on that campaign's policy and funding recommendations.
In January 2007, OAITH made a submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of the province's Pre-Budget Consultations. The submission makes recommendations built around the "10 Steps to End Violence Against Women" as part of the Step It Up campaign launched the previous year.
In January, 2006, OAITH made a submission to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy regarding Bill 27: An Act to amend the Arbitration Act, 1991, the Child and Family Services Act, the Family Law Act, and the Children's Law Reform Act. Focusing on the Arbitration Act and the Children's Law Reform Act, OAITH raises concerns about the unequal power between men and women in mediation and arbitration, the private vs. public nature of family law mediation, and do not recognize the full impact of abuse in relationships.
This paper examines Ontario family law and the family court system, including recent and anticipated changes to both, through a gendered intersectional lens. In particular, it provides a gender-based intersectional analysis of the implications of family law and the family court system for women who have experienced violence and their children.
The paper has three principle goals. The first is to provide support to frontline workers who assist women involved with family court. The second is to increase the ability of women to negotiate their way through this system so they emerge at the other end with their legal rights respected and with outcomes that keep them and their children safe.
The third is to provide violence against women workers, advocates, and activists with the tools they need to work for change at the community, provincial, and national level.