Advocates Upset Over Ontario’s Response to Domestic Violence

Advocates and families of victims say they are frustrated with the Ontario government’s response to inquest recommendations aimed at decreasing intimate partner violence (IPV).

On Wednesday, supporters of IPV victims gathered in Petawawa to mark one year since an inquest into the 2015 murders of three women by the same man in Renfrew County: Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam.

The jury from the inquest proposed a list of 86 recommendations for groups including provincial and federal governments, focusing on many preventative actions.

Ontario, which was primarily addressed in most recommendations, submitted its first response back in February and provided a second response to the coroner’s office on Tuesday.

Out of the 30 recommendations that were addressed in the second response, eight were rejected, ten accepted, and twelve were only partly accepted.

Pamela Cross, advocacy director at Luke’s Place, a non-profit organization, shared that she “burst into tears” upon reading Tuesday’s update.

“I just saw that first page, full of rejected, rejected, rejected, and I just didn’t even want to turn the page,” she explained.

Pamela Cross, advocacy director of the non-profit organization Luke’s Place, says she ‘burst into tears’ when she read the rejections from the Ontario government. (Avanthika Anand/CBC)

Cross added that many of those rejected suggestions aimed for increased transparency and accountability from provincial authorities.

“If we can’t get the government to agree that they have an obligation to be both transparent and accountable, we’re really in trouble,” she said.

Province won’t label IPV as an epidemic

One suggestion that was turned down by the province was a formal declaration recognizing IPV as an epidemic.

In their reply, officials argued that “epidemic” is typically associated with diseases and doesn’t fit IPV circumstances.

Cross noted that numerous municipalities have declared IPV an epidemic since the conclusion of the inquest; among them are Renfrew County and Ottawa just nearby.

Chantel Butterfield, executive director at Sexual Assault Survivors’ Centre of Sarnia-Lambton expressed her heartbreak over these rejections.

‘Declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic would cost the Ontario government nothing and yet they rejected the opportunity to do so,” she remarked.

“I think it really sends a message that women, girls and gender-diverse people are not important.”

Other suggestions declined included forming an independent IPV commission as well as funding safe rooms for survivors’ homes where there’s a high risk situation involved.Supporters for victims of femicide gathered in Petawawa Wednesday on the one-year anniversary of an inquest into the 2015 murders of three women. (Avanthika Anand/CBC)

‘Disservice’ done to victims say families

Malcolm Warmerdam whose mother Nathalie was one out three women killed back then pointed out how even some accepted recommendations felt insufficient.

“[It] seemed like they said accepted but didn’t truly mean it,” he noted.

When responding about other suggestions Warmerdam indicated how officials merely listed current grants which didn’t necessarily apply here.

“What we received from Ontario regarding these responses suggested they’d provide unsustainable funding towards existing solutions proven ineffective,” he stated.
Malcolm Warmerdam says many responses from officials didn’t address core issues surrounding recommendations made during inquiry process. (Avanthika Anand/CBC)

Elizabeth Rautapuro daughter Malcolm lost before having chance “get truly know her”.

“The inquiry represented potential change,” Rautapuro expressed.

“However lack concrete action shows disservice mothers sisters daughters lost due intimate partner violence.”

Statement from Solicitor General

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A spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry Solicitor General – overseeing correctional systems – shared via email statement stating province invested $112 million bail enforcement prosecution teams along $250 million combat against violence woman support victims.

“The person responsible these horrific acts should never had been released originally offered far too many chances justice system needs change,” statement continued.

“We understand more work ahead , Renfrew Jury recommendations will guide future investments combating violence ensuring legal system protects crime’s victims.”