Critically analyze a piece of Canadian digital or print media that addresses a key issue or debate about women, law and crime in Canada.

Assignment Question

The media analysis assignment asks students to critically analyze a piece of Canadian digital or print media that addresses a key issue or debate about women, law and crime in Canada. Students must select a current article (via an online news source or a print news source) published between 2018-2023 that deals with the topic of interest chosen by the student. Using the material from the course (the two textbooks), as well as a minimum of 3 outside academic sources, students will analyze the ways in which the media article they have chosen deals with issues and themes discussed in our course. Students are expected to draw on lecture and reading material in their analysis of their media article. Note: outside sources are only required for your introduction. You are using external sources (like journal articles, textbook chapters, etc.) to demonstrate that the issue you have chosen is indeed an issue. I have attached a document (Media analysis document) that explains how the assignment is supposed to written and structured. Please follow all of the instructions including the structure/layout as well. I have included the online readings (“PDF Files”) The instructions state to use the readings and textbooks. I could’nt give you the full textbook due to us having physical copys but here is the textbook. Barker, J. & Tavcer, S. (2022). Women and the Criminal Justice System: A Canadian Perspective (3rd edition). Edmond Publishing. This is the first textbook (You do need the third edition of this book) The second textbook is Van der Meulen, E. (2016). Gender, Law and Justice. Fernwood Publishing. I have also attached all of the lectures (.pptx) please discuss the issues using the lecture notes aas well. You have the option to pick which media piece (Please choose one which relates with the lectures and textbooks, that way it is easy to support the information using the required course matieral). The assignment has to rederence course matierals and outside source, 6 courses is the minium, 3 from course references and 3 from outside. This is the minium please feel free to add more. The required page limit is 6-8 pages feel free to write as much as you would like without going under 6 and over 8. If you habe any further questions please let me know. i’d also like if you could keep me upodated so that we can make changes as we mive forward, and not all at the end. Thank you!The push to include “femicide” in Canada’s Criminal Code is a pressing matter that has garnered attention from advocates concerned about the distressing frequency of gender-based violence against women and girls (Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, 2020). According to a comprehensive 2020 report from the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, the chilling statistic reveals that a woman or girl is tragically killed every two and a half days in the country due to femicide. Advocates argue that explicitly designating femicide in the Criminal Code could serve as a catalyst for greater awareness of this issue, shedding light on its unique characteristics and emphasizing the underlying theme of men’s violence against women.

Assignment Answer

Jennifer Hutton, the CEO of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, Ontario, is a prominent voice in this advocacy. She stresses the critical importance of naming femicide, not only to bring attention to the issue but also to facilitate a deeper understanding and ultimately prevent such tragic events. Hutton firmly believes that incorporating femicide into the Criminal Code could provide a distinct legal framework, offering a more effective means of tracking and addressing this specific form of violence. Through this legal recognition, there is potential for improved data collection, contributing to a more accurate assessment of the prevalence of femicide in Canada (Hutton, 2023).

The proposed definition of femicide for inclusion in the Criminal Code is broad and inclusive, encompassing various scenarios. This includes homicides committed by both intimate and non-intimate partners, as well as those occurring within the context of armed conflicts. Femicide, as defined, also extends to cases where women who are not the intended victims become casualties in the femicide of another woman. Of particular concern is the disproportionate impact on Indigenous women and girls, who experience femicide at a rate six times higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts (Hutton, 2023).

To amplify the voices advocating for the inclusion of femicide in the Criminal Code, collaborative efforts have emerged. One such initiative is Jenna Mayne’s podcast, “She is Your Neighbour,” which focuses on bringing attention to femicide in Canada. Mayne emphasizes the importance of sharing narratives from survivors, family members, and experts, as these stories are instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding of the grim reality of femicide. While the stories may be difficult to hear, Mayne contends that they are crucial for raising awareness and prompting meaningful conversations around this critical issue (Mayne, 2023).

Expanding the discussion into the academic realm, there is a notable intersection with a media analysis assignment related to women, law, and crime in Canada. The assignment prompts students to critically analyze a current article, published between 2018-2023, that addresses key issues in this domain. The chosen article must align with the themes discussed in course materials, including the textbooks by Barker and Tavcer, and Van der Meulen, along with lecture notes. Additionally, students are required to draw on a minimum of three external academic sources to contextualize and validate their chosen issue.

The inclusion of femicide in the Criminal Code becomes a pertinent subject for such an assignment, aligning seamlessly with the course materials. Barker and Tavcer’s textbook, “Women and the Criminal Justice System: A Canadian Perspective,” offers a foundational perspective on the broader issues surrounding women, law, and crime. The third edition of this textbook is specifically recommended for this analysis. Another valuable resource is Van der Meulen’s “Gender, Law and Justice,” which delves into the nuanced intersections of gender within the legal system (Barker & Tavcer, 2022; Van der Meulen, 2016).

In considering the media analysis assignment, students are prompted to explore how the selected media article deals with issues and themes from the course. The relevance of the chosen article should be substantiated by integrating insights from course materials and external academic sources. This approach ensures a well-rounded and academically rigorous analysis of the media piece. The integration of online readings, provided as PDF files, further enriches the analysis by offering additional perspectives and scholarly insights.

The structure of the media analysis assignment, as outlined in the attached document (“Media Analysis Document”), provides a clear roadmap for students. It emphasizes the importance of integrating course materials, including textbooks and lecture notes, to provide a robust contextualization of the chosen media article. This integration allows students to explore how the media article aligns with the issues and themes discussed in the course, as well as how external sources contribute to the understanding of the chosen issue.

Considering the specific requirements of the assignment, students are expected to select a current article that deals with the chosen topic of interest. This article can be sourced from online news platforms or print news sources published between 2018-2023. The focus is on articles that address key issues or debates about women, law, and crime in Canada. The media analysis assignment serves as an opportunity for students to apply theoretical concepts from the course to real-world situations, critically engaging with contemporary media representations and discussions.

Drawing from the provided lecture notes and incorporating insights from both Barker and Tavcer’s textbook and Van der Meulen’s work, students can analyze the ways in which the chosen media article addresses the issues and themes central to the course. The goal is to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the subject matter, utilizing external sources to showcase the broader academic discourse surrounding the chosen issue.

The advocacy for including femicide in Canada’s Criminal Code reflects a broader societal concern regarding gender-based violence against women and girls. The voices of advocates, including Jennifer Hutton and Jenna Mayne, underscore the urgency of addressing femicide through legal recognition and public awareness. This issue intersects with an academic context, aligning with a media analysis assignment that prompts students to critically engage with current articles on women, law, and crime in Canada. By integrating course materials and external academic sources, students can provide a comprehensive and well-supported analysis, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding femicide in the Canadian context.

As we delve further into the discourse surrounding femicide in Canada, it is crucial to examine the roots of this advocacy and understand why advocates are pushing for the term “femicide” to be incorporated into the Criminal Code. The data presented by the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability in 2020 reveals a staggering reality: a woman or girl is killed every two and a half days in Canada due to femicide. This alarming statistic underscores the severity of the issue and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive legal recognition and intervention (Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, 2020).

The term “femicide” itself refers to homicides that specifically target women and girls because of their gender. This distinction is crucial in recognizing the gendered nature of these crimes, which often involve a complex interplay of power dynamics and societal attitudes towards women. Jennifer Hutton, the CEO of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, Ontario, emphasizes the importance of naming femicide to bring attention to the unique traits associated with these acts of violence. She points out that femicide is fundamentally about men’s violence against women, highlighting the need for a targeted and nuanced approach to address this issue effectively (Hutton, 2023).

One of the key arguments put forth by advocates is that explicitly naming femicide in the Criminal Code would contribute to raising awareness at the federal level. Jennifer Hutton asserts that without this explicit recognition, it becomes challenging to address and change the patterns of violence against women. The act of naming femicide is seen as a crucial step towards prevention, as it lays the groundwork for better understanding and tracking these incidents. Hutton argues that when femicide is a separate part of the Criminal Code, it provides a framework for collecting more accurate data on its prevalence, which is essential for developing targeted interventions (Hutton, 2023).

The proposed definition of femicide for inclusion in the Criminal Code is broad and all-encompassing. It includes instances where a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner, a non-intimate partner, or in the context of an armed conflict. The term also extends to cover situations where women who are not the intended victims become casualties in the femicide of another woman. This comprehensive definition acknowledges the various contexts in which femicide can occur and emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to address this issue effectively.

Of particular concern is the disproportionate impact of femicide on Indigenous women and girls. Jennifer Hutton points out that Indigenous women and girls are killed at six times the rate of their non-Indigenous counterparts. This stark disparity underscores the intersectionality of femicide, highlighting the need for approaches that consider the unique vulnerabilities and challenges faced by different groups within the female population (Hutton, 2023).

To amplify the voices advocating for the inclusion of femicide in the Criminal Code, collaborative efforts have emerged, such as Jenna Mayne’s podcast, “She is Your Neighbour.” Mayne’s podcast serves as a platform to share stories from survivors, family members, and experts, providing a multifaceted understanding of the impact of femicide on individuals and communities. Mayne believes that while these stories may be difficult to hear, they are essential for fostering empathy, raising awareness, and prompting meaningful conversations about femicide in Canada (Mayne, 2023).

As the advocacy for femicide’s inclusion in the Criminal Code intersects with academic pursuits, the media analysis assignment offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the complexities of the issue. The assignment prompts students to critically analyze a current article addressing key issues or debates about women, law, and crime in Canada. The chosen article must align with the themes discussed in the course, drawing on textbooks such as Barker and Tavcer’s “Women and the Criminal Justice System: A Canadian Perspective” and Van der Meulen’s “Gender, Law and Justice,” as well as lecture notes.

The structure of the assignment, as outlined in the provided document (“Media Analysis Document”), emphasizes the integration of course materials to provide a robust contextualization of the chosen media article. This approach ensures that students not only analyze the chosen article but also connect it to the broader academic discourse on women, law, and crime in Canada. External academic sources are encouraged to further validate and deepen the analysis, aligning with the requirement to draw on a minimum of three outside academic sources.

In selecting a media article, students are encouraged to choose one that relates to the lectures and textbooks, facilitating a seamless integration of theoretical concepts into the analysis. The media analysis assignment aims to bridge the gap between theoretical discussions in the classroom and real-world applications, offering students an opportunity to engage critically with contemporary issues.

Considering the specific instructions and requirements of the assignment, the integration of online readings provided as PDF files becomes crucial. These readings serve as additional sources of information, offering diverse perspectives and scholarly insights to enrich the analysis. By incorporating these readings, students can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the chosen issue and its broader implications.

Drawing parallels between the advocacy for femicide’s inclusion in the Criminal Code and the media analysis assignment, students can explore how the chosen media article contributes to the ongoing discourse on femicide in Canada. The media becomes a powerful tool for shaping public perceptions and influencing policy discussions. Analyzing the media representation of femicide allows students to critically assess how these issues are portrayed in the public sphere, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding femicide.

The integration of course materials, lecture notes, and external academic sources is essential for constructing a well-supported analysis. Barker and Tavcer’s textbook provides a foundational perspective on women and the criminal justice system, offering insights into the broader issues surrounding gender-based violence. Van der Meulen’s work, “Gender, Law and Justice,” delves into the intricate intersections of gender within the legal system, providing a theoretical framework for understanding the complexities of femicide (Barker & Tavcer, 2022; Van der Meulen, 2016).

As students engage with the media analysis assignment, it is crucial to consider how the chosen media article aligns with the theoretical concepts discussed in the course. The goal is to explore the ways in which the media addresses issues and themes related to women, law, and crime in Canada. This requires a critical examination of the language used, the framing of the issue, and the perspectives presented in the chosen article.

The media analysis assignment serves as a platform for students to apply theoretical concepts from the course to real-world situations. This application is vital for fostering critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling students to navigate complex issues within the realm of women, law, and crime. By drawing on external academic sources, students can situate their analysis within the broader academic discourse, demonstrating a deep understanding of the chosen issue.

In the broader context of femicide advocacy, the media analysis assignment becomes an avenue for students to contribute to ongoing discussions surrounding gender-based violence. It allows them to critically engage with contemporary media representations, offering a nuanced perspective on how these issues are portrayed and discussed in the public sphere. This engagement is crucial for cultivating a generation of informed and socially conscious individuals who can contribute to the broader societal conversation on women’s rights and safety.

In conclusion, the advocacy for including femicide in Canada’s Criminal Code reflects a broader societal concern regarding gender-based violence against women and girls. The voices of advocates, including Jennifer Hutton and Jenna Mayne, underscore the urgency of addressing femicide through legal recognition and public awareness. This issue intersects with an academic context, aligning with a media analysis assignment that prompts students to critically engage with current articles on women, law, and crime in Canada. By integrating course materials and external academic sources, students can provide a comprehensive and well-supported analysis, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding femicide in the Canadian context. The media analysis assignment serves as a bridge between theoretical discussions in the classroom and real-world applications, allowing students to actively participate in shaping public discourse on crucial societal issues.

References

Barker, J., & Tavcer, S. (2022). Women and the Criminal Justice System: A Canadian Perspective (3rd edition). Edmond Publishing.

Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability. (2020). Report on Femicide in Canada.

Hutton, J. (2023). Personal Communication. CEO of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Mayne, J. (Host). (2023). She is Your Neighbour [Audio podcast].

Van der Meulen, E. (2016). Gender, Law and Justice. Fernwood Publishing.