"Experiment a Cover Up"

VICTORIA (CP) - Saanich Indians fear an experiment in native justice on southern Vancouver Island will turn into a cover-up of sex abuse.

Native social workers, elders, women and court workers worry their leaders will use a B.C. government project to keep assault charges within the community.

Native women from Saanich Peninsula reserves say they live in fear of powerful band members who pressure and intimidate women not to report instances of assault and sexual abuse.

They say crimes such as rape and child molestation are covered up by some of those closest to the alternative justice program.

Most victims have yet to speak publicly because they live in fear of telephone threats, of their doors being kicked in and of their children being molested, says Mavis Henry, a Pauquachin band member.

Henry says she knows of several cases where powerful families pressured women to use the alternative system, which involves the band's council of elders, rather than bringing sexual assault charges to court.