Photo: The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, with Eric Kingsley of the Montreal-based youth group Sun Youth speaks at a roundtable with victims and survivors of violent crime in Montreal, Monday, July 11, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS / Graham Hughes
Victims of violent crime told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Montreal on Monday that they need more support from the federal government.
Trudeau, who did not answer questions from reporters, met with several victims of violent crime as part of a roundtable organized by Sun Youth, a Montreal-based community organization.
After the meeting with the Prime Minister, Alexandra Simon says she told Trudeau how she struggled to find help to stop a violent pimp.
“It’s very difficult to get services, so I felt very alone,” she said in an interview. “When I called the shelters, they told me they couldn’t help me because it wasn’t domestic violence … but it’s the same: it’s violence.”
She said there should be more support for people trying to quit the sex trade, and added that she was pleased that the prime minister would take the time to talk to her and other people in the community.
A man who met with Trudeau said men who are victims of crime need more services. After a violent home invasion that left him in hospital, the man, who asked not to be named because the people who had assaulted him have not been arrested and fears retaliation, has said no he has been able to return home.
He said that although he was left without money and no place to stay, he was not offered a safe place to live and that since his attack he has not been able to meet with a psychologist or any other professional from the mental health.
Betty Emmanuel, who left a violent partner, said she would like support for children growing up in violent homes.
“You can’t expect (Trudeau) to do it all at once, and he was very honest about it,” he said in an interview. “But he was here. That’s number 1: he was present, he listened, he listened, and we talked.”
Eric Kingsley, director of emergency services for Sun Youth, the Montreal community organization that organized the event, said it’s important for Trudeau to hear the stories first hand. “He will remember talking to these people, the pain they were having and the struggles they still have because of these violent situations.”
Prior to the meeting, Trudeau made a brief statement to reporters. He said the solution to the problem of violence cannot be done only by the federal government, but will require cooperation with community groups, municipalities and provinces.
“I know that the situations you have experienced as individuals have been extremely difficult, and I want to congratulate your courage and strength in presenting yourself to share your stories, so that you can better understand what we face as a country and make sure. you that I am doing the necessary things to counteract it, “Trudeau told participants.