Pearson-Shoyama Institute
HOT BUTTON
The Vernon massacre,
family violence and ethnicity:
Is there a link? (May 16, 1996) 1. Synopsis
2. Analysis
3. Contact persons / Experts
4. Other sources
5. Question to reader / disclaimer.
Note: Comparisons are made in this analysis between the Gakhal family of Vernon and the
Joudrie family of Calgary, both of which have had their family's marriage breakdown
extensively examined in the media . The purpose is not to make judgements or pass comments
on either case or family, but rather, to examine the differential media treatment that
each received, and the differential public attitudes.
1. Synopsis:
The massacre of nine members of a Canadian Sikh family in Vernon, B.C. on April 5, 1996
was one of the most horrific mass murders in Canada. The issue of religion and culture
came up regularly in media reports and analyses. The relevance of religion is examined
here.
2. Analysis:
Four key questions on ethnicity and family violence (by Andrew Cardozo)
The tragic massacre of the Gakhal family in Vernon B.C., has raised the question regarding
the connection between ethnicity/religion/culture and family violence. It is fair to ask
the question, if only because all factors that lead to family violence must be examined
and addressed. Clearly, there are many factors that lead to family violence and each one
needs to be examined and responded to so that this heinous behaviour can stop.
Here are several questions accompanied with subjective answers. Indeed there are no
definitive answers to these questions as issues of religion, culture and values - not to
mention human behaviour - have no right and wrong answers, only various perspectives.
(i) Are certain ethnic groups more violent than others? What about the Joudries?
No, there is no evidence of this at all, apart from the stereotyping by some media,
cartoonists and indeed Hollywood. (Part of the problem with having a definitive answer is
that race statistics are not maintained for crimes or victims of crime, but most experts
and observers believe that there is no link to race or culture.)
It is important to note that we tend to ask the questions of ethnicity and violence,
only when a minority group, especially non-whites are involved. There have been some
horrific crimes perpetrated by racial minorities such as the infamous killing at the
"Just Desserts Restaurant" in Toronto in 1994. But is this case much less
horrific than the Paul Bernardo or the Clifford Olsen crimes which were cases of serial
pre-meditated killing? The ethnicity, religion, culture or cultural values of these latter
two criminals were never addressed.
Take the new case of a shocking history of family violence in the home of Earl and
Dorothy Joudrie. These upstanding, upper class, executive, prominent and wealthy folks
were being profiled daily in the newspapers and on TV as the attempted murder trial was
progressing through the courts (she was accused of shooting him and was acquitted). At no
time in the media, have the details of how Earl and Dorothy met and married been explored,
their religion, their culture, etc. Besides their culture in terms of ethnicity and
religion, a further cultural issues would be worth considering, i.e. corporate and upper
income culture. There were a couple of items on whether Earl would be adversely affected
after allegations of his violent ways were given publicity - but the consensus was that
his corporate colleagues were willing to overlook this side of him, because they had so
much respect for his corporate talents. A Toronto Star article was headlined:
"Ex-Wife's trial takes toll on Joudrie's reputation; But revelations of abuse not
expected to hurt executive's career" (May 6, 1996). For Dorothy Joudrie the cultural
issues could have been whether families of certain social standing are willing to put up
with anything in order to maintain that social (and corporate) standing.
There are some similarities between the two cases as it is alleged that both men began
abusing their wives shortly after marriage, and that both wives kept quiet about the
violence as long as they remained in their marriages. The difference does not go much
further. In the Gakhal case, the wife left her husband and remained at her parents' home
and shortly after, a meeting of several members of the two families met to discuss the
situation.
The support from the extended family appeared to be considerable for the Sikh wife and
she left the marriage with their support. To date we have not heard that Dorothy Joudrie
had any support from her family. She did endure remaining in the marriage for several
years, herself becoming drunk and violent at times, in the end, being charged with
attempting to murder her husband. Alcohol is consumed more in some cultures than in
others, but this does not appear to be particularly noteworthy in the media, perhaps
because alcohol consumption is not an unusual occurrence in our mainstream society - even
though the resulting violence of this case is. Media reports suggested that this case
resulted in the four Joudrie children being estranged from Dorothy, and her support came
from her friends. Earl Joudrie now lives with a cousin of Dorothy's in Toronto. No mention
was made about any other forms of family support for her.
(ii) Is sexism and misogyny commonly accepted in some communities?
These ills know no ethnic boundaries. Sexism is all too prevalent in our society at
large. Some ethnic and religious groups are more traditional than others and more prone to
believe the supremacy of the man in a marriage. We do hear reports of misogyny being
widely practiced in some countries, but there is no evidence that such harsh behaviour is
carried out in Canada by people with origins in those countries. Much as we may pretend
otherwise, women are the ones expected to make the sacrifices to ensure the sanctity of
marriages, and are frequently expected to put up with a husband who may have a temper - in
all cultures.
In some cultural groups, in cases of violence, a male family member may accost the
offending husband to talk some sense into him or to threaten him. It is common for close
relatives to be called in regularly to mediate. The wife is nevertheless often expected to
go the extra mile to accommodate the man especially if he promises to improve his
behaviour.
In the Gakhal family there are reports that several members of the two families met to
discuss the problems in the marriage. While such meetings are held in the Sikh community,
this particular one did not find a solution and resulted in the husband feeling even more
bitter and humiliated than before. Despite the meetings and the open discussions on the
marital problems, the media reports suggest that the issue of violence was not addressed.
Again if one looks at some of the high profile cases such as the Paul Bernardo case,
the misogyny was more calculated, had a overriding violent sexual content to it, was
planned and continued over several months or even years. Yet it was rarely asked if this
twisted behaviour is somehow rooted in his religion or in North American standards of sex
and pornography. No recommendations have been called for to better curb pornography,
especially "snuff" pornography of the kind that Bernardo was making.
One should also consider the open attack on feminism in North America over the last
three to five years. Some of it suggests that feminists have gone too far or challenges
the need for gender equality, but some of it is also just angry that women are approaching
equality and are making demands on a system that is still by and large male dominated.
There is also open questioning of whether "violence against women" is a major
problem.
(iii) Are arranged marriages to blame for violence?
No not in themselves. Given the high rate of marriage breakdown among non-arranged
marriages, a system that focuses more on the head than on the heart in choosing a life
partner, and that involves other less passionate heads in the process, is not necessarily
a bad one. Increasingly, the potential brides and grooms (and families) are introduced to
each other and have the option to decline a match and keep looking - despite the
overriding pressure that may exist. It is probably fair to say that arranged marriages are
no more to blame for violence than romantic alliances, and probably less so, since spouses
are checked out quite extensively and openly, by an endless number of nosy relatives who
often ask around about the bride or groom, even when it is not their immediate relatives.
Problems sometimes do arise, when one family lives in Canada and the other in another
country, making the scrutiny much harder. Indeed, these situations do work to the benefit
of a good-for-nothing husband, who cannot be adequately scrutinized, and then can threaten
to deport the bride or bride-to-be if she raises a fuss. If she had intended to
subsequently sponsor her family, her remaining in an abusive marriage becomes more likely.
To return to the Gakhal and Joudrie cases, there have been several stories about the
affect of arranged marriages on putting pressure to maintain a marriage even when such is
not possible. There have, however, been no stories examining how the Joudries met and
whether the manner in which they did had anything to do with their behaviour or
willingness to remain in the marriage and whether that had any affect on the violence in
their home. Similarly the issue of maintaining their social standing, as earlier mentioned
was not addressed in the media.
The issue of pressure from the family, religion, society or the media does however,
need to be examined further and should be identified as a possible source of pressure to
remain in marriages that can be abusive. Pressure exists in all cultures, but operates
differently in each.
(iv) Is domestic violence talked about less in ethnic minority communities?
Perhaps yes. But then society at large doesn't discuss the matter a great deal either.
It is a social disease that most try to deal with secretly - either by ignoring it or
trying to deal with it very subtly or secretly. For immigrant families there is tremendous
pressure for people to succeed in all aspects of life. Young immigrants and children of
immigrants are put under a lot of pressure to do well in school, get good jobs, own masses
of visible wealth and to have families that all can be proud of. While this quest for
success is wonderful, it also pressures people to paper over the cracks so that others
won't know. Often close relatives will also pressure a troubled couple to remain together
so that the family is not disgraced. (Again this is not particular to any cultural group
but rather to people who place a high degree of importance on family social standing among
other people. The consequences of such actions can be disastrous.)
When it comes to domestic violence, women may even be reluctant to discuss it with
their closest friends or relatives - until it is too late, again this is not that
different from the rest of society.
(A shorter version of this analysis was published in the Toronto Star on April 16,
1996)
3. Contact persons / Experts
_ Ms Shashi Asanand, Executive Director, Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural
Family Support Services Society, 5000 Kingsway plaza, Phase III, #306-4980 Kingsway,
Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4K7 (604) 436-1025.
_ Mobina Jaffar, Vancouver Lawyer (Member of the federal panel on violence against
women in the early nineties); (604) 438-3369
4. Other sources
"Why did he do it?", Globe and Mail, April 27, 1996, page D1 (Feature article
on the Ghakal case.)
Through the eyes of a Child: An Introductory Manual on the impact of family violence
for Multicultural Home/School Workers, Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural Family
Support Services Society. See address in previous section. $6.00 (This manual is designed
to help professionals working with immigrant families to recognize family violence and
make proper referrals.
Immigrant and Visible Minority Women Against Abuse, (A crisis service agencey in
Ottawa): (613) 729-3154.
National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women; head office in Ottawa:
Suite 504, 251 Bank Street, Ottawa; (613) 232-0689; Shelley Das, Executive Director. Have
completed a national study on violence agaisnt immigrant and visible minority women.
5. Question to reader / disclaimer.
If readers have any questions, issues to add or wish to correct any facts of figures,
please leave a message on the Institute e-mail, write or fax.
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