Families of gun violence victims call for better resources for those healing from trauma

With only a few weeks left of 2021, fatal shootings in Toronto have already surpassed last year's — and families of loved ones killed by gun violence are calling for a public health approach and greater resources for the persisting issue that has left communities reeling from the trauma.

As of Nov. 29, 41 people were killed this year in comparison to 38 deaths from gun violence last year, according to Toronto police data.

In 2020, there were 440 shootings and firearm discharges while there have been 373 so far this year. The figure includes any shooting where a person is injured after a firearm is discharged, which can also include accidental firings or celebratory ones.

Advocates say victims of gun violence are not just those who are struck with a bullet, but also the family members left reeling from the trauma, living in shock and grief — and needing resources that may not be available to them.

Evelyn Fox's son Kiesingar Gunn, was killed by a stray bullet in Liberty Village on Sept. 11, 2016 when he was 26.

"It's been five years, but it's like yesterday for me," Fox said.

"I still wait for my son to walk through the door and ask me what's for dinner … and some days reality is like a slap in the face."

WATCH | Families of loved ones killed from gun violence call for better help:

After Gunn's death, Fox began searching for a peer-led service to help family members of loved ones who had died from gun violence. After not being able to find any, she decided to create her own community organization, Communities for Zero Violence.

Fox said she has been advocating for years for a more grassroots-led approach to gun violence rather than more policing.

Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood is pushing for a solution to tackling gun violence in Toronto communities with her new bill to amend the Health Insurance Act and include trauma-informed counselling for survivors and others affected by gun violence.

If passed, Bill 129 would see gun violence treated as a public health issue and allow for counselling services for survivors of gun violence to be covered by OHIP.

"It is actually a public health crisis right now when we think about the fact that we've had 17 more homicides in Toronto than this time last year," Hunter said. "We need to break cycles of violence in our community by allowing the community to heal."

Fox says she's disappointed it took so long to introduce such legislation, but is happy Hunter is bringing it forward.