The News UpFront: (TOP STORY) as of Tuesday, November 9, 2010 

A town-hall meeting called to improve community policing in Toronto became the venue of a complaint by Filipino caregivers who decry the apathy and indifference of Toronto police because, as they said, "they're merely caregivers". But that's just one of the problems. Other Asian communities have their own stories worsened by language and a seeming lack of cultural sensitivity among law enforcers that lead to mistrust and misunderstanding. Toronto's multicultural landscape where 120 languages are spoken provides a big challenge for authorities. Monday night's town-hall meeting with Toronto Police Chief William Blair tried to address the multi-ethnic concerns.

"THEY'RE APATHETIC AND INDIFFERENT TO OUR PLIGHT"

Filipino Caregivers Complain Against Toronto Police 

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Member, Asian American Journalists Association

T ORONTO – Two Filipino caregivers told authorities of their fears and experiences with police in reporting sexual and other abuses by their employers only to be intimidated and ignored.

The complaint was aired at a town hall meeting called on Monday night (Nov. 8, 2010) by Toronto Police Chief William Blair with Asian diplomats and leaders of the Asian communities at the Toronto police headquarters in downtown.

A representative of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Consul Edna May G. Lazaro, wasn't around when the caregivers delivered their complaints. She showed up, however, towards the end of the program.

 "We were intimidated by police officers because we are only caregivers," said Judith Gonzales, a co-founder of the First Ontario Alliance Caregivers Canada (OACC).

Her colleague, Terry Olayta, gave a similar damning account before a jampacked audience who also shared their own brushes with police. She claimed being beaten by four police officers on duty while helping a boy in a family reunification program several years ago.

Olayta later on affirmed Gonzales' initial allegations, which she called "sickening". "There are rape cases and sexual abuse that had taken place and continue to do so," she explained. 

In many instances the encounters centered on language and lack of understanding of the immigrant's cultural background, which lead to futher misunderstandings between law-enforcement authorities and the multicultural communities of Toronto.

There are about 120 languages spoken in Canada's largest city alone and, according to Chief Blair, the police have the ability to speak more than half.

Gonzales and Olayta recounted a recent incident in which they "rescued" a Filipino nanny from her abusive employer who practically made her a slave, working 18 hours seven days a week, and imprisoned her at home.

"When another OACC official (Edna Tiosen) intervened, police asked her intimidating questions. Edna was really upset the way the police did the interview," Gonzales explained later after she spoke. She said the initial clash with police showed they had no knowledge about the live-in caregiver program.

Gonzales stressed a recurring fear of police intervention because "it might affect their application for permanent residency once police authority gets involved in their situation."

Q uite a number of caregivers, she explained, "are working under temporary working permits, and always have fear that they can deport us back when we leave them. Worse, employers falsely accuse of criminal activities like theft, sexual molestation of our wards, neglect, violence and physical abuse."

"We would like to work with police authorities. We would like to exercise our rights to have a safe and secure work environment. We would like to live safely here in Toronto," Gonzales stated.

For his part, Blair said his department recognizes the problems facing immigrants and has adopted a "don't ask policy" pertaining to their immigration status.

"We don't want people not to come to us to seek the protection of the police, or seek justice. Our job is not to enforce immigration laws. Our job is to protect our citizens," he emphasized.

Blair said the police are "trying hard to make sure that people trust us". He stated: "regardless of people's immigration, status, they're here and we have the responsibility to protect them".

Blair's assurances are quite comforting, according to those interviewed after the program. Filipino caregivers also feel relieved.

Blair's deputies – Staff Superintendent Jane Cox and Inspector Francis Bergen of Community Mobilization Unit – also fielded questions during the town hall meeting. # # #

For other stories and photos, please visit: 

1. http://currentsbreakingnews.blogspot.com/ 

2. http://torontonewsroom.blogspot.com/

3. http://timecircumstance.blogspot.com/

4. http://travelsthemes.blogspot.com/ 

5. http://gotchajournalist.blogspot.com/ .