Calgary Drop-In Centre accused of inhumanely treating woman in distress
Posted Nov 10, 2021 8:42 pm.
Last Updated Nov 10, 2021 8:44 pm.
An alleged incident occurring outside the Calgary Drop-In Centre involving a person in distress has some advocates questioning the policies in place at the shelter.
“They obviously had their period at that time,“ said Taylor McNallie, the co-founder of Inclusive Canada.
While out on a regular watch, members of the Bear Clan Patrol tried to help someone who was in distress and urgently needed a bathroom.
“Right away we get them hygiene products, get them a jacket to put around their waist because we had no pants at the moment, and trying to discuss with the people at the door, ‘are we able to get them in right now? They just need to use a washroom to clean up,’” said McNallie.
Not even with help from advocates was the person given access to a washroom.
McNallie says the only help they got was being given extra hygiene products, and they were told to go use them by the fence.
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“Imagine being in that situation where your pants are soaked in blood, you’re standing outside and now the very people who are supposed to support you and help you in these moments, or at any time, are telling you to go do your business outside by a fence where everyone can see.”
“I told him very bluntly, ‘I hope in this lifetime your daughter never goes through this, or your sister never goes through this or somebody that is in your family that’s experiencing mental health issues and barriers to using a washroom. I hope they never experience what our friend is experiencing,’” said Yvonne Henderson, a volunteer with Bear Clan Control.
These allegations are ones the Calgary Drop-In Centre say they are taking very seriously.
“We are conducting an internal investigation on our side that is still currently underway,” said Sandra Clarkson, the executive director of the Calgary Drop-In Centre.
But advocates are calling for more to be done to help those in distress.
“To be able to take care of their hygiene, you know, be able to change their tampon, just be able to have support in any kind of area in their life. That’s what these places are for,” said Augustine Hunter, a member of sober crew-AIM Calgary.
“We can always do better, and we really want to create that environment for open and honest communication and dialogue so that invitation absolutely stands,” said Clarkson.
