Last summer, the Ontario and federal governments were asked to start considering 86 recommendations aimed at preventing deaths related to intimate partner violence (IPV).
This week, advocates are looking forward to finding out which suggestions the governments will pursue – and which ones they’ll decide against.
The recommendations came from a coroner’s inquest that concluded in Pembroke, Ont., last June.
The nearly month-long inquest focused on the 2015 murders of three women in Renfrew County – Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam – using this tragedy as a catalyst to address IPV both locally and more broadly.
Culleton, Kuzyk, and Warmerdam were all killed on the same day by one man, despite clear signs that he posed a danger to others.
Over 14 days of testimony, jurors learned about everything from lack of funding for survivor services to missed chances by Ontario’s probation and parole service after the man had previous IPV convictions involving two of his eventual victims.
In response, jurors recommended a variety of preventative actions for provincial and federal governments including:
Tighter monitoring of high-risk IPV offenders with a focus on maintaining regular contact with their past victims. Exploring options for requiring individuals charged or convicted of IPV to wear electronic monitoring devices. Enhancing cooperation between corrections and probation staff when planning rehabilitation strategies for abusers upon release. Providing better treatment options for abusers before they face charges or enter the criminal justice system. Implementing educational programs for students starting from primary school about recognizing signs of gender-based violence, including subtle forms like coercive control. Increasing financial support for shelters, sexual assault centers, and other organizations aiding survivors. Declaring IPV an epidemic; Lanark County has already taken this step while Renfrew County is set to do so this spring.
The complete list can be found here or at the end of this story. The recommendations aren’t mandatory.
“We’d also want it ensured that kind oversight body includes local representation because we believe rural Ontario’s unique aspects need consideration,” he stated.
CBC reached out seeking comments from provincial representatives but has yet received responses.
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Informal deadline approaching Friday
The group that received most recommendations from the Renfrew County inquest is Ontario – along with the federal government, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, and the Chief Firearms Officer of Ontario – but none are legally bound to respond to these recommendations from the jury. However, the Office of the Chief Coroner encourages organizations involved to report within six months regarding which recommendations they plan to implement as well as explanations for any that they choose not to follow through on. The jury shared its findings on June 28; however, formal delivery wasn’t made until August. As a result, Friday marks an informal deadline for responses. “We’re optimistic and preparing to have something to look at sometime this week,” said lawyer Kirsten Mercer who represented End Violence Against Women Renfrew County during the inquest. No organization had provided feedback back to the coroner’s office as of Monday afternoon.Call for immediate committee formation
The jury also urged provincial leaders to establish an “immediate” committee tasked with implementing these recommendations that would create some accountability among governments. This idea was supported by advocates right from the beginning of the inquest. But as of Monday there hadn’t been any visible action taken by province officials regarding this request – disappointing news for Mercer. “Every day that goes by concerns me,” she said. “In Renfrew County there has been more than one femicide since [the inquest].” Memorials honoring two women killed since last June took place last Saturday. The jury envisioned that such an implementation committee should include senior government representatives from ministries crucially related to IPV along with an equal number of community experts in IPV issues. Peter Emon, warden for Renfrew County remarked he hasn’t seen any progress regarding forming such a committee either. He mentioned county council might have no choice but consider local resolutions come springtime if action isn’t initiated by province leaders soon.“We’d also want it ensured that kind oversight body includes local representation because we believe rural Ontario’s unique aspects need consideration,” he stated.
CBC reached out seeking comments from provincial representatives but has yet received responses.
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