Skip to main content

Skip to navigation

The access keys for this page are:

For The Record

IMPROVEMENT IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION SINCE 2001

Sept. 24, 2009
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
 
Letters to the Editor
Opinion Editorials
  • The government has increased its support for direct victim and domestic violence essential services.
  • There is $43 million for these programs this year – a $2.4 million increase over last year.
  • That is in addition to an overall budget increase of $17 million over the past three years.

Enhanced services at Transition Houses

  • In addition to the $43 million in funding for victim's services and domestic violence programs the Province provides a further $32 million to fund 63 transition houses across B.C.
  • Since 2007, the Province has invested $6 million to expand transition houses' staffing to ensure women have access to the services they need when they need them.
  • Today all transition houses are fully staffed on a 24/7 basis.
  • Now, 95 per cent of women in B.C. have access to services within an hour of their home.

Increased Outreach and Multicultural Services

  • In 2003 the province created, a new crisis line for victims of family and sexual violence that gives victims access to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 130 languages.
  • In 2008 we established a $1.6 million domestic violence multicultural outreach programs to assist immigrant women in addressing barriers and reducing their isolation.
  • This is in addition to the pre-existing $2 million in outreach programs across the province.

Increased Training and Integration for Police

  • In 2008 the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (PSSG) reviewed how police are trained to deal with domestic violence at the Justice Institute of B.C. Police Academy.
  • As a result, next month PSSG will introduce an online police training course on evidenced-based, risk-focused domestic violence investigations.
  • This course will be available to all police in B.C. and emphasizes the importance of a coordinated response to domestic violence issues.
  • An entire module is devoted to examining the roles and responsibilities of police, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Crown Counsel, Victim Services and Corrections.
  • The Province also provided over $40 million to integrate police communications and data management services so that domestic violence cases, protection orders and the necessary info for enforcing them are available in real time to all police in B.C. via PRIME.

Crown Prosecutors and Domestic Violence

  • All new Crown prosecutors receive specific training in dealing with domestic violence prosecutions.
  • Further training in this area is regularly included in the annual conference for prosecutors.
  • The Criminal Justice Branch retains specialized counsel in headquarters to support Crown dealing with domestic violence cases. This individual works with justice partners on domestic violence issues including risk assessment and enforcement orders.
Back to topTop

Letters to the Editor

Oct. 16, 2009
Letter to the Editor
CORONER'S OFFICE CLARIFIES AND CORRECTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION
By Jeff Dolan
Director, Provincial Operations, BC Coroners Service
Submitted to: Globe and Mail
Status: Not Published
Contrary to what the article states, the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) does collect in-depth information on all deaths it investigates, including domestic violence deaths. This office conducts all of its investigations in an extensive, exhaustive and thorough manner. Furthermore, recommendations are made, wherever and whenever possible, to prevent similar deaths from occurring. [Read More]

Sept. 22, 2009
Letter to the Editor
ALCOHOL COUNSELLING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
By Ida Chong
Minister of Healthy Living and Sport
Submitted to: The Times Colonist
Status: Not Published
I'd like to offer some clarification regarding recent Times Colonist articles on the Healthy Choices in Pregnancy program.
[Read More]

Opinion Editorials

Sept. 28, 2009
Opinion Editorial
SERVICES TO VICTIMS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN BEING PROTECTED
By Kash Heed
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Submitted: Province-wide
Status: Aired, CFAX, Sept. 28, 2009, 3:00 pm
"Kash Heed has confirmed the Campbell government will spend $43m for victims of domestic abuse. The money will be used to cover the cost of various programs offering emotional support, information, referrals and practical assistance. The announcement comes in the wake of last week's scathing report by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond." [Read More]