Trailblazer Helps Women Recover from Violence

Dr. Roz Roach, who founded a healing centre for women and children who are victims and survivors of intimate partner violence in Toronto, was honoured with a Terry James Trailblazer Award at the Toronto Police Service Black History Month (BHM) celebration on February 20 at the Trinidad & Tobago Consulate in North York.

“By helping vulnerable people recover from violence and trauma, they are making our communities safer and stronger,” Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said. “Whether it is with emergency housing, referrals, counselling or job training, organizations like Dr. Roz’s Healing Place help break the cycle of violence and victimization.

“As police officers, we believe in the mission and we are here to work with you as partners. Every day, our members see firsthand the consequences of violence and trauma. This is why we have so many programs that prioritize prevention, community safety and well-being. But we could not do all this work without partners from the community.”

Toronto Police Service Board Vice-Chair Chris Brillinger, who serves as Executive Director of Family Service Toronto, knows firsthand how critical it is to support victims and survivors of intimate partner violence. 

He said Roach is a true hero within the community.

“Brilliant, passionate and wholly dedicated to improving the lives of everyone around her, Dr. Roz is a real community builder who is committed to building and strengthening partnerships, constantly advocating for and empowering those in her midst,” he added. “…Today’s event exemplifies the impressive results we can achieve when the community, the police and our partners – young and old – work together for the greater good.

“The Board is committed to enhancing our connection with the community, consistently looking for ways to more meaningfully incorporate the voices and expectations of the public into our strategic planning, policy making and decision-making process. Fundamental to our ongoing reform efforts is a clear recognition and understanding of the significant role of anti-Black racism, discrimination and marginalization in our city impacting policing along with other public and private systems.”

The theme of this year’s Toronto Police BHM celebrations is ‘Celebrating Women of Excellence.’

Trinidad & Tobago’s Acting Consul General Tracey Ramsubagh-Mannette said Roach embodies excellence.

“Dr. Roz has dedicated her life to uplifting communities, fostering inclusivity and championing the causes of education, equity and empowerment,” she noted. “Her contributions have not only enriched Canadian society, but have made an indelible mark on the global stage and in her native Trinidad & Tobago.”

The first Black officers – the late Larry McLarty and Gloria Bartley – joined the Service in 1960, paving the way for future generations including retired Sergeant Terry James who was among 10 women in her new class officers in 1980, the largest cohort of women at the time.

James was instrumental in starting the BHM celebration at police headquarters in 1994 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2001 (she along with Sonia Thomas and Janine Crowley who are retired and Karen Hunte were the first Black women to be elevated to Sergeant at the same time), James retired in September 2010 after 30 years.

To mark her contribution to making the Service more inclusive, a Trailblazer Award was established in her name last year.

Two awards are presented annually during BHM.

Staff Superintendent Kelly Skinner was the recipient of the first one earlier this month.

Dr. Roz Healing Place Program Director Pilar Martin accepted the award on behalf of Roach who was out of the country.

“It is with great honour that I accept this prestigious recognition,” said Roach who attended the ceremony virtually. “Terry is the embodiment of a trailblazer. She demonstrates phenomenal ethics, tenacity and leadership to not only her colleagues, but to women and the community at large. I love her, I see her and I hear her.”

In launching the Centre, she was the first Black woman in Canada to negotiate with three levels of government and raise $4 million to build a healing place that is an empowerment and healing space for women and children who are victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.

“When I opened the centre, I raised the bar for how our city and our country serve survivors of violence,” said Roach. “We did not do this to receive awards and recognition. We did this because it had to be done. I am so blessed to have been able to do this work with support from the Toronto Police Service for over 30 years.

“They have worked with me in several areas, including education and prevention. We cannot do the work we do without your partnership and support. When we call on you, you are there. When our women and children run to your safe spaces and you bring them to the centre, you do it with respect and full understanding. I ask that you continue to support us so we can continue doing the work we do.”

Migrating to Montreal in the late 1960s, Roach was a Registered Nurse at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute where she met her Montserrat-born husband, recently retired York Regional District School Board educator Cecil Roach, who was an orderly.

She is the holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Social Sciences and a Master’s in Trans Cultural Psychiatry was head-hunted after completing her PhD. in Health & Human Sciences.

To amplify her mission to eradicate intimate partner violence against women and children, Roach wrote and produced a powerful musical/dance production, Sistas Calling, that premiered in July 2023 at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

A soca artist and lyricist who has designed and constructed Carnival costumes, she wrote the songs, composed the music and produced the stage costumes for the play that tells the story of a 42-year-old woman who migrated to Canada at age 30 to join her husband who sponsored her.