It was a failure of the system

Dear Daughter of us all,

I am so sorry. I am so sorry that you had to discover first-hand the terrible violence that lies just beneath the surface of our society.

As a woman, I am sorry that you now know in your own body the violence of one person against another. Sadly, there are many men in our communities who are violent toward women. We women do what we can to protect ourselves. We stand in solidarity with one another, and teach our daughters to be strong and confident. However, until more men change their attitudes toward sex, anger, and power, women will continue to live under the threat of violence from the men in their lives.

As a citizen, I am sorry that you were doubly violated by the systemic violence of our society’s bureaucracy. The treatment you received from the ER in Truro was unconscionable and unacceptable. Yes, I understand they did not have the resources or expertise to address your plight as another hospital with the SANE program would have. Still, you were a human person clearly in need of medical assistance – physically, men- tally, spiritually – all of which our hospitals are designed to provide.

Their failure to physically transfer you to a hospital that did provide the services you needed was negligent. Their refusal to offer you privacy, calm and reasoned advice, and simple human compassion was a violation of your humanity. It was systemic violence, the result of a health care system that has lost sight of its primary purpose – to provide care. Sadly, the violence of our bureaucracies reflects the violence of our society which means women will experience that violence disproportionately.

I want to say to you, as clearly as I can: You did everything right. We are the ones who let you down. We are the ones who must carry the shame. We are the ones who have to do better.

So stand tall, hold you head up with pride. You did everything right.

Heal well, my daughter, my sister, my friend.

Karen Macneill,

Stratford, P.E.I.