Status of Women committee  What I'd like to say is that I don't think apologies are enough; we need resources. I don't think resources are best spent on more policing and more law and order, but on helping women to break those cycles of violence, abuse, prostitution, and addiction. So we need resources at a grassroots level to help women deal with the layers of abuse they've faced that have led them into these lifestyles, and not to give up on them with half measures, like harm reduction, but to believe that, yes, some people can get out of that cycle.

Status of Women committee  First, I'd like to acknowledge that we're on unceded Coast Salish territory. Second, I'd like to thank the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women for inviting the Aboriginal Women's Action Network to present to you today. My name is Darlene Rigo, and I am of Ojibway descent.