A report released by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) found out that 83 Filipino families were involved in domestic violence, drug and child abuse, making the immigrant group record the highest incidence of domestic violence and abuse in Calgary, Alberta.
In a report by ABS-CBN’s Balitang America, the cases mostly involve those in the live in caregiver program and temporary foreign workers category.
Francia Bodoso of the CCIS cited the situation where a single parent works in Canada and later brings his or her family into the country. The issues have apparently emerge even before the family is integrated and becomes more evident as they reunite.
“During those years na magkahiwalay [ang pamilya], maraming problema at maraming nangyayari na pagdating nila dito at nagsama-sama, may problema at may isyu na hindi agad na resolba,” Bodoso said.
Economic recession, cultural differences and pressure to send money to families back in the Philippines were often cited as among the reasons of domestic violence.
A number of social service organizations have coordinated with Filipino community leaders to help Filipino families affected by domestic issues.
Aileen Singh of the Calgary Immigrant Women Association said they are aiming to educate the seniors and making them more aware of the issues in the community.
“Hopefully, we can see in three years the number [of domestic cases among Filipino families] go down,” Singh said.
Jon Reeves of the Alberta Child and Family Services (ACFS), an organization that helps arrange kinship care for children who cannot live with their family because of concerns related to their safety and well-being, such as abuse or neglect, said they are looking at members of the Filipino community to come forward and become approved to be part of a kinship home.
However, not everyone agrees to this method. For instance, the ACFS took away the child of Reymundo family after it reportedly mistakenly identified a metabolic bone disease of the boy as bruise suspected as a sign of physical abuse. The child was separated from the family for 18 months.
Marjorie Reymundo said the family was able to lodge a legal fight to win back the custody of their child. She says that Filipinos are used to obeying authorities as law abiding citizens but the situation taught them to assert for their right without resorting to violating the law.
The family was able to get back the child with the help of legal assistance and friends. The Reymundo family has sought local authorities to do an investigation of the case.
While many Filipinos want to migrate to Canada, the realities of making a living and assimilating to a new culture could take its toll.