The Ontario government has stated it needs additional time to think over many of the proposals put forth by a coroner’s inquest jury aimed at preventing deaths related to intimate partner violence (IPV). However, advocates are expressing their disappointment with the province’s response regarding some of the jury’s other suggestions.
“We had hoped the government would honor Carol, Anastasia, Nathalie and the inquest process by acting quickly on key recommendations such as declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic,” End Violence Against Renfrew County mentioned in a news release on Thursday.
Last summer in Pembroke, Ont., a nearly month-long inquest looked into the 2015 murders of three women in and around Renfrew County: Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam. All three women were killed on the same day by one man, despite clear warnings about his potential for further harm.
During 14 days of evidence, jurors learned about various issues from underfunded survivor services to missed opportunities by Ontario’s probation and parole service after this man’s previous IPV convictions involving two of the women he eventually killed.
In response, jurors recommended that both provincial and federal governments implement a wide range of preventive measures.
However, the initial reply from the Ontario government to those recommendations filed last week does not address 29 out of 75 recommendations directed at the province. These include:
Formally declaring IPV as an epidemic within the province. Creating a housing plan for IPV survivors escaping abusers. Providing funding for safe rooms inside survivors’ homes. Establishing a 24/7 hotline for men at risk of committing IPV. Considering allowing police services to share information about an individual’s history of IPV with new or future partners, similar to laws already in place in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. Developing a record of past IPV incidents and charges accessible to all police services. Reviewing mandatory charging practices where officers must charge someone with assault if they have reasonable grounds. Analyzing judges’ decisions in cases related to IPV.
The organization from Renfrew County expressed its disappointment regarding how many items have yet to receive any response at all. Kirsten Mercer, who represented them during the inquest said, “It’s not like these recommendations are being heard for the first time.”
WATCH | ‘Where possible’ qualifier could have several meanings, lawyer says
‘Where possible’ qualifier could have several meanings, lawyer says
Lawyer Kirsten Mercer stated that a qualifier used by the Ministry of Solicitor General regarding some significant testimony from the inquest is “doing a lot of work.”
Mercer noted that so far, the province’s response doesn’t sufficiently tackle what help IPV offenders require while they’re involved with or before entering into the criminal justice system.
During the hearing, “there was substantial evidence showing that Ontario is far behind where it should be,” she pointed out – highlighting criticism surrounding treatment programs for probationary IPV offenders.
A particularly concerning aspect for Mercer is that there has been no response yet to Recommendation No. 5 from the inquiry which called on Ontario to promptly create an implementation committee focused on pressuring government action regarding these recommendations.
“That’s obviously job number one and it’s still pending. That really feels like a miss,” she remarked.
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The Inquest into the murders of Anastasia Kuzyk, Nathalie Warmerdam and Carol Culleton made 86 recommendations. ()
Province claims complexities are at play
In its response last week, officials said that analyzing those unaddressed recommendations requires more thorough review and collaboration but expect addressing them by providing another update before June ends.
A spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of Solicitor General responded via email when asked about EVA Renfrew County’s concerns regarding its initial feedback stating that understanding and planning around these recommendations is complex work that must be approached carefully.
“Ontario is dedicated to breaking cycles of intimate partner violence while supporting survivors so communities remain safe,” added this spokesperson while also mentioning they look forward to completing their review before summer arrives.
EVA Renfrew County expressed encouragement over some commitments made by provinces such as finding ways to simplify reporting requirements for organizations assisting women fleeing abuse since lengthy paperwork pulls workers away from important frontline tasks.
However, EVA “had hoped for more” than what was included overall in this reply according to their news release.
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A memorial located in Petawawa honors Culleton, Kuzyk, Warmerdam among other victims affected by intimate partner violence. (Pamela Cross/Twitter)
Apart from some responses tied directly back towards shocking testimony during which representatives discussed “missed” chances related toward monitoring closely enough on behalf of the murderer responsible for taking Culleton’s life along with others-this also contained troubling qualifiers according Mercer described earlier within her statements.
The Ministry noted it has initiated policies ensuring past IPV victims can maintain contact when perpetrators are out on probation “where possible.”
The inquiry revealed communication between victims impacted fell off significantly leading up towards this triple homicide incident; suggesting important follow-ups slipped through cracks.
“I’m not implying officers should chase down survivors unwilling engage; but ‘where possible’ holds much weight within context,” Mercer explained.
“Insufficient personnel execute vital tasks makes ‘where possible’ imply lack adequate resources hinder staff ability reach everyone requiring assistance.”
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Lawyer Kirsten Mercer represented End Violence Against Renfrew County throughout coroner’s investigation held during June twenty-two.(Jean Delisle/CBC)
The proposal concerning school police detachments dismissed
An only recommendation thus far rejected encouraged municipalities integrate attention toward addressing issues surrounding Intimate Partner Violence through community safety plans across every region involved.
The Ministry acknowledged intent behind suggestion though indicated initiatives must remain locally driven instead , responding accordingly.
This led acceptance allowing police set-up satellite offices spreading resources evenly over larger rural areas ; however schools considering providing office space request wasn’t met due security risks faced accessing premises effectively without jeopardizing safety protocols already established.
“Schools.. aren’t recommended hosting these detachments due security concerns linked individuals gaining entry onto premises,” ministry outlined succinctly remaining vigilant protecting students adhering stringent guidelines laid down previously.
Numerous other suggestions addressed received either full or partial approvals; affirming actions taken prior alongside efforts extended thereafter associated findings made known post-jury conclusions delivered correctly evaluated based upon circumstances presented accurately judged adequately assessed pertinently chosen wisely considered thoroughly vetted repeatedly checked regularly revised continuously improved consistently updated periodically augmented even enhanced actively pursued persistently followed up rigorously maintained effectively conducted comprehensively orchestrated responsibly managed systematically executed strategically approached diligently handled professionally organized methodically planned appropriately executed proficiently achieved successfully implemented efficiently rolled-out extensively applied widely dispersed sufficiently allocated properly spread distributed judiciously advocated broadly disseminated comprehensively supported robustly facilitated 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