The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Call to Action 34 calls on national, provincial and territorial governments to make changes to the criminal justice system to improve outcomes for offenders with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Truth & Reconciliation Call to Action #34: A Framework for Action provides background on the complex issue of individuals with FASD in the justice system with a goal to take up the TRC’s Call to Action to help improve outcomes for individuals with FASD. As well, it acknowledges the ongoing impacts of the Indian Residential School (IRS) system and provides mechanisms to bring about necessary changes in the areas of education, access, training, justice, evaluation and community supports.
The Framework for Action is part of CanFASD’s ongoing commitment to take up the Calls to Action and to be actively involved in work and partnerships that focus on reconciliation and improving the lives of those with FASD. It is informed by a CanFASD-supported national research project lead by Dr. Michelle Stewart from the University of Regina, that focused on FASD and justice practices across Canada, and by the 2017 national symposium on FASD, Justice and Reconciliation. It is an evidence-based response to the TRC Calls to Action and presents 12 recommendations to help foster change in frontline justice service delivery, policy development and research in the field.
