BC can do better to prevent domestic violence
Posted Dec 5, 2011 10:39:32 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Justice Institute of BC has released a new study that suggests the province can do a better job at combating and preventing domestic violence.
While various BC acts and laws deal with domestic violence, Kate Rossiter, who led the study, says a coordinated approach to the subject is key.
She notes that when the Liberals took power in 2001 they got rid of the Ministry of Women’s Equality and turned from gender-equality to responding to domestic violence.
“My hope is that the follow-up piece with the policy document that we’re going to be developing will serve as further foundation for that kind of dialogue that policy-makers and practitioners [need.]”
Rossiter adds the provincial government needs to come up with comprehensive domestic violence prevention and reduction plan. “In terms of prevention, we’re advocating for a primary prevention approach which involves broad-based media, campaigns, and education for children and youth that includes boys.”
To help reduce violence, she says it may be a good idea to set up a domestic violence court where specific cases can be heard. Between January 2003 and August 2008, domestic violence resulted in the murders of 73 people amongst 605 homicides in this province.
The report comes one day before National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women marking the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.
