Alleged incidents targeting women in Dawson City, Yukon, has locals calling for more action

WARNING: This article descriptions of violence and abuse.

In Dawson City, Yukon, many people know each other by name. 

Like most communities across the country, the town of 2,400 has its share of crime, but for the most part, residents agree it's a safe place to live.

Recently, some residents have taken to social media to share their concerns, including accounts of men targeting women in the community.

The posts detailed stalking, inappropriate touching, and a physical attack that resulted in a woman being medevaced to the hospital in Whitehorse 

Shara Layne works at the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre. She said that earlier this month, a man entered the building and proceeded to harass her.

"It has triggered a lot of my PTSD," she said.

Layne said she reported the incident to her employer immediately afterward.

She also said she's worried the man will hurt others and that she knows other women who have had similar experiences. 

Craig Penk is a constable at the RCMP detachment in Dawson City.

He said the detachment was made aware of the incident, and concerns from other members of the public, and followed up with the man.

"The individual has been spoken with and files have been documented," Penk said.

For Layne, that doesn't change the impact she feels from the whole situation.

"I know me and others no longer feel safe after 7 p.m. to be alone in or around the town." 

Report any incidents to a trusted source

Const. Craig Penk said it's the responsibility of the RCMP to keep community members safe.

He said as an officer, but also a resident of Dawson, it's frustrating when these types of incidents occur, but aren't reported to the police.

Penk said posting an incident online doesn't make the offence any less valid, but the RCMP do not monitor social media. Without direct communication to the police about an incident there's not much they can do, he said. 

"We're very fortunate here in Dawson City to have the resources that we do," Penk said. "We encourage anybody to reach out for assistance where they feel is best suited, whether that be the women's shelter, victim services, or here at the detachment."

Jasimina Majcenic has lived in Dawson for the past three years. She said she's noticed that incidents involving assaults on women seem to occur more often during certain times of the year.

"At certain times of the year when there's a lot of people, usually from outside of Dawson, come up here and we're so isolated, and they have some relative anonymousness. They'll come up here and they will do harmful things and they'll leave."

Majcenic said she'd like to see a grassroots approach to addressing this issue. 

"It's really important to have the visibility of men who are protecting women," she said. "Looking out for women and holding other men accountable."

Community watch

That's exactly what Paul Martens wants to do.

Martens has lived in Dawson City for the past 11 years.

He said in his experience, it's one of the safest places to live, so when he hears to that women aren't feeling safe, something needs to be done.

Martens said he wants to form a community watch group.

"I figured if we could do some sort of citizen patrol I think that'd be a great advantage to help the RCMP and also to give the women of our town a feel of protection."

Martens said the idea is in its early stages, but he envisions the group doing local patrols over certain long weekends, and offering an escort home to those who call for one.

"I don't want to overstep my boundaries with the RCMP or anything like that," Martens said. "I just want to be another force to help them."

Martens said he plans to bring his idea of a community watch group up during an upcoming town council meeting.

He said if he can get a few other residents on board with the idea, he'd look into applying for grants, or funding to supply the group with necessary equipment such as high-powered flashlights, and handheld radios.

The Yukon RCMP says gender-based violence can be reported by contacting the Yukon RCMP at 9-1-1 or victim services at 867-667-8500.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. You can access crisis lines and local support services through this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.

Other Yukon-specific resources include:

• Victim Services: 667-8500, or 993-5831 in Dawson City, or 536-2541 in Watson Lake
• VictimLINK, toll free: 1-800-563-0808
• Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council: 667-6162