Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

Purpose

Given high rates of violence against Inuit women, the recipient stresses need to improve relations with police and social services. There is a paucity of research reflecting Inuit women's perceptions of and experiences with the police, as well as the issues and challenges faced when policing Inuit communities. The recipient emphasizes the importance of ensuring good first encounters between police services and Inuit women. If these critical first interactions are poor, women may be deterred from pursuing further legal action against their abuser. Many Inuit women do not have a good understanding of the Canadian justice system, which is very different from Inuit cultural norms. The recipient will examine international policing practices with an emphasis on innovative government responses to improve service delivery to Indigenous communities.