THIS CANNOT BE INVESTIGATED ONLY FROM WITHIN

 

THIS CANNOT BE INVESTIGATED ONLY FROM WITHIN.

When violence happens against vulnerable people in state custody — especially Indigenous women and youth — the public deserves FULL transparency and INDEPENDENT oversight.

A restrained, intoxicated 17-year-old Indigenous girl was punched repeatedly while surrounded by officers and staff. Another restrained detainee was stomped, kicked, and beaten.

This is not a minor misconduct issue. This is a human rights issue.

Too many people no longer trust internal investigations when police investigate police.

We need: • A fully independent external investigation • Public transparency about what happened • Review of supervision and training failures • Accountability for everyone who witnessed and allowed the violence • National and international human rights attention on violence against Indigenous women in custody

Canada has already faced international scrutiny over the treatment of Indigenous women and girls through the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

People are asking: How many warnings existed before this happened? Why was someone with prior aggression complaints still working with vulnerable detainees? Why are violent acts against restrained people resulting in house arrest?

This is about more than one case. It is about public trust, state violence, and whether vulnerable people are truly safe in custody.

No one should be beaten while restrained. Not in a democracy. Not in Canada. Not anywhere.

Reflective Questions 

1. What protections should exist for vulnerable people in police custody?
2. Why do cases involving Indigenous women often create such public outrage and distrust?
3. Should assaults committed by law enforcement carry harsher penalties because of their position of authority?
4. What message does house arrest send to victims and the public in cases involving police violence?
5. How can communities rebuild trust after incidents like this?
6. What role does systemic racism play in policing and detention practices?
7. Why are so many people disturbed by the idea of paid leave after violent misconduct?
8. What reforms would actually reduce violence in custody settings?
9. How should society balance rehabilitation of offenders with accountability and deterrence?
10. What responsibility do ordinary citizens have when witnessing injustice in public institutions?

#JusticeForIndigenousWomen #MMIWG2S #HumanRights #PoliceViolence #IndependentInvestigation #EndPoliceBrutality #ViolenceAgainstWomen #ProtectIndigenousYouth #Vancouver #AccountabilityNow #NoMoreSilence #RedDressDay