The day before the first anniversary of the inquest into the killings of three women in Renfrew County, the Ontario government shared its responses to 30 recommendations made by the jury aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
Last summer in Pembroke, a weeks-long inquest looked into the 2015 murders of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam.
The jury-comprising three men and two women from Renfrew, Griffith, Petawawa, Chalk River, and Pembroke-proposed that provincial and federal governments, along with other organizations, adopt 86 recommendations that included various preventative measures.
Participants in the inquest will gather in Pembroke Wednesday to review what has been accomplished so far.
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Pamela Cross, advocacy director at Luke’s Place-a non-profit based in Oshawa supporting women escaping violence-took part in last year’s hearings and voiced her disappointment over these rejections via social media Wednesday.
“Reach out to your MPP today to call for implementation of the inquest recommendations. Too many women have already died,” she wrote on Twitter.
The recommendations accepted by the province include:
Looking into incorporating restorative justice methods along with community-based approaches when addressing suitable IPV cases ensuring safety alongside positive outcomes for survivors involved. Reviewing protocols designed for timely distribution of information accurately-including emergency alerts-especially when police know circumstances may endanger public safety; prioritizing safety will guide which details get shared publicly when necessary along those lines is vital too.
Developing new educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness around intimate partner violence issues among communities served throughout Ontario.
Examining training programs currently utilized by justice personnel affiliated either directly with provincial governance or police agencies themselves enhancing their skill sets where needed most effectively possible given changing times ahead!
Providing resources targeted towards addressing behavior exhibited amongst perpetrators committing acts related specifically connectedness through ongoing patterns identified previously observed behaviors thus fostering accountability among them alongside recovery pathways established from those situations encountered daily.
Improving collaboration efforts between entities focused upon substance abuse treatment initiatives combined simultaneously addressing mental health challenges faced regularly; integrating child protection measures accordingly resulting improved case management overall seamlessly bringing support resources together.
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Province Says Some Recommendations Overlap Existing Efforts
Ontario received most of the 86 recommendations put forth by the inquest jury. The province’s initial response was submitted back in February, with a second response delivered to the coroner’s office on Tuesday. Of the 30 recommendations mentioned in this latest update, 22 have been accepted or partially accepted while eight were turned down. The rejected recommendations include: Formally declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic-a move some local governments like Renfrew County have already taken. The province argued that “epidemic” is used for diseases’ spread and that IPV “would not be considered an epidemic as it is not an infectious or communicable disease.” Setting up a committee to ensure thorough consideration of the inquest’s recommendations and proper reporting on any responses. The province indicated it would utilize existing bodies while consulting stakeholders for input on implementing suggestions. Analyzing judges’ decisions regarding IPV cases through longitudinal studies focusing on recidivism rates, escalation of violence, and future victims. The province stated that academics would be better suited for such studies due to preserving judicial independence without government interference. Creating an independent IPV Commission focused on eliminating intimate partner violence while representing survivors’ voices and victims’ families to raise public awareness about IPV issues. The province remarked this committee would overlap with current offices and services already available. Appointing a Survivor Advocate who would represent survivors’ experiences within the justice system. The province noted there are already several community services providing support for IPV survivors within legal processes such as Family Court Support Worker Programs and Sexual Assault Centres. Funding safe rooms for survivors’ homes under high-risk conditions was also rejected because these spaces could endanger survivors if misused or exploited by abusers; existing programs already prioritize victim safety effectively. Launching an IPV registry tracking repeat offenders similarly to sex offender registries was denied since current systems already monitor IPV incidents adequately; establishing such a registry could complicate matters unnecessarily.Developing new educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness around intimate partner violence issues among communities served throughout Ontario.
Examining training programs currently utilized by justice personnel affiliated either directly with provincial governance or police agencies themselves enhancing their skill sets where needed most effectively possible given changing times ahead!
Providing resources targeted towards addressing behavior exhibited amongst perpetrators committing acts related specifically connectedness through ongoing patterns identified previously observed behaviors thus fostering accountability among them alongside recovery pathways established from those situations encountered daily.
Improving collaboration efforts between entities focused upon substance abuse treatment initiatives combined simultaneously addressing mental health challenges faced regularly; integrating child protection measures accordingly resulting improved case management overall seamlessly bringing support resources together.
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