Feminist Research Education Development and Action Centre Reports Index

The FREDA Centre for Research on Violence against Women and Children Violence, Racism, and Power - The Ellard Trial Yasmin Jiwani and Annabel Webb April 2000 On April 20, 2000 Kelly Ellard was convicted in adult court of second-degree murder for her role in the murder of Reena Virk, and sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole in five years. As researchers and advocates, the FREDA Centre and Justice For Girls Outreach Society have been engaged in various collaborative initiatives designed to explore the range of violence experienced by Canadian girls and the particular avenues available to them to seek support and resources. The Ellard trial presented a unique opportunity by which to examine how violence against girls was framed and understood within a legal context, as well as how race, social class, and age influenced the treatment of the murder, the witnesses, and the accused. In her sentencing decision, Madame Justice Morrison stated that racism was not a factor. This statement raises questions about the interpretation of racism that permeates the justice system, despite numerous commissions and inquiries. Reena was teased mercilessly about her appearance. That included allusions to her skin colour. Existing research documents the impact of such teasing, making children and youth want to deny their own cultural heritage and making them more vulnerable to violence. The sheer brutality of this case accentuates the motive of racism that propelled two young white people to viciously murder a young woman of colour whom they had never even met prior to that night. The initial attack on Reena began with a young white woman putting out a cigarette on Reena's forehead, symbolically branding her as a cultural "other," a mark reminiscent of the bindis that south Asian women usually wear on their foreheads. Racist murders begin with the dehumanizing of a victim. That dehumanizing allowed Glowatski and Ellard, both white, to continue beating, stomping, kicking and ultimately drowning Reena. Racism is violence. Violence is about power and dominance. If there is any doubt about racism in this case then just imagine what the outcome would have been if the tables were turned. Yasmin Jiwani is the executive co-ordinator and principal researcher at the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence against Women and Children. Annabel Webb is a co-founder of Justice for Girls, a non-profit organization that promotes justice and equality for low-income or street-involved girls who experience violence.