Women's HouseWomen's House logo (Provided by Kate O’Brien, Child Witness Counsellor – Grey County, Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey)
Midwestern

Grey Bruce counsellor wants to prevent domestic homicide

A manager at Women's House Serving Bruce & Grey says more resources might help prevent domestic homicide.

The Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative has found the domestic homicide rate in Canada hasn't moved much in the past decade.

Sexual Assault & Outreach Counselling Manager Bernice Connell said poverty and isolation can prevent a woman from escaping an abusive situation.

"We do know women who stay in abusive relationships because there's no housing, or because they don't have income," she said.

She added police need to take complaints of stalking or harassment seriously every time and investigate the situation further.

"It's hard for the women to get a serious response when they're reporting breaches of the peace, or harassment or stalking," she explained.

She said police need more time to investigate the history of abuse, and if they are called to a domestic situation they need to have the time to do a thorough history to see what is really going on.

Connell said she would like to see more affordable housing, improved access to legal aid, and more police resources.

"Improved access to law, to legal aid and to lawyers for women. We need stricter follow up if there are breaches of peace bonds, and if there's a stalking or harassment situation, " she continued.

She said she is excited to see the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative has launched a research project involving about 200 families who have lost someone to domestic violence over the past seven years or so.

She added a few inquests into cases of domestic murder have made some really good recommendations.

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