COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND SAFETY

Commitment 4.4.1 – We will strengthen initiatives and partnerships to prevent and reduce family violence by:
Providing training, public information and outreach on the protections provided under the Protection Against Family Violence Act.

The Protection Against Family Violence Act came into force in 2005. The intent of this legislation is to provide emergency and long-term protection for victims of family violence. The Act also allows emergency access to assist a person who may be the subject of family violence.

The Department of Justice provides training, public information and outreach on the protections provided under the Act as follows:

• Annual training for RCMP detachment commanders, shelter staff, community justice coordinators, and victim services workers.

• Public information and outreach events through community wellness fairs.

• Public information materials about family violence and legal tools to protect victims are distributed to all communities every year.

The Department of Justice has updated public information on the Act and will continue to meet regularly with the YWCA and RCMP to discuss ongoing work related to implementing the Act, with a focus on outreach and training (Milestone 1).

Related Mandate Commitments:

• Commitment 4.4.1: We will strengthen initiatives and partnerships to prevent and reduce family violence by: Examining the feasibility of expanding DVTO Court beyond Yellowknife and Hay River.

• Commitment 4.4.1 - We will strengthen initiatives and partnerships to prevent and reduce family violence by: Continuing the support for a healing program for men who use violence in intimate relationships such as the Wek’eahkaa A New Day Healing Program.