julian@deepthot.UUCP (Julian Davies) (03/24/84)
"Prisoners rights groups and prison abolitionists have come to understand that incarceration of offenders is counter-productive. Meanwhile feminists groups are concerned about the widespread problem of sexual violence. Can we find ways to address the problem of sexual violence so as to preserve the safety of groups vulnerable to it and to uphold the emotional well-being of the victims without resorting to incarceration? "The Quaker Committee on Jails & Justice is sponsoring a conference to explore this issue. It will take place May 11-13 at St. Luke's United Church in Toronto. The keynote speaker, Faye Honey Knopp, is herself a prominent abolitionist and has developed programs for sexual offenders. Other speakers and workshop leaders will include Lorene Clark, Jerry Wein, Bonnie Burstow and Diane Ralph. A special working session is planned for Sunday to develop concrete action proposals. "Participating groups are the Rape Crisis Centre, Education: Wife Assault, and the Elizabeth fry Society. For more information or for application forms, write to QCJJ, 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto M5R 1C7 or call 416 922-6128."