Domestic violence perpetrators, who previously only received intervention services following conviction, will soon have access to new, preventative community-based programs that can be attended before a crime is committed, through a $1-million partnership with Stroh Health Care and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC).

Under the three-year Provincial Domestic Violence Plan, Stroh Health Care will receive $800,000 to develop programming for perpetrators of domestic violence to help them before charges, conviction or the sentencing stage of their criminal justice process. This may include treatment services before a person is involved in the criminal justice system, or support services - such as counselling - prior to conviction. Stroh will work with both government and non-government partners in order to develop these new services. Stroh has more than 30 years of experience in program design, implementation and supervision on provincial, national and international levels, and co-ordinates the BC Relationship Violence Prevention Program on the behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

The BCAAFC will receive $200,000 to enhance and evaluate culturally appropriate programs for perpetrators of domestic violence. It is estimated that Aboriginal women are nearly three times as likely as non-Aboriginal women to be victims of spousal violence. The centre’s executive director, Paul Lacerte, created the Moose Hide campaign to take action against the violence affecting Aboriginal women and communities. Since most violence is perpetrated by men, Moose Hide encourages men to stand up and declare that violence is never acceptable.

April 12-18, 2015, is Prevention of Violence Against Women Week in B.C. This investment fulfils a commitment under the $5.5-million Provincial Domestic Violence Plan - to provide direct services for perpetrators of domestic violence. Informed by extensive consultation, the Provincial Domestic Violence Plan and Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy recognize the fact that supports and services targeting male perpetrators are needed to effectively address the issue of domestic violence. These plans work in tandem to help make B.C. a safer place for women, children and anyone who has been affected by violence.

Quotes:

Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux -

“Violence is never okay, and this investment will help support perpetrators of domestic violence so they can become accountable for their actions and change their attitudes and behaviours in the future. These two organizations have a wealth of experience in providing supports and services to male perpetrators of violence, and their expertise will help us move towards a violence-free B.C.” 

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“This funding will continue the momentum on one of the priorities in our Violence Free BC strategy, which identifies programs for men as being a critical component in changing the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence against women. So often, society avoids talking openly about this issue and the importance of working directly with male perpetrators to end cycles of violence. We’ve been clear that violence against women is everyone’s issue, and we all must work together to make it stop.”

Dr. Carl Stroh, Stroh Health Care Consulting Corporation -

“Stroh Health Care is pleased to be part of this collaborative effort to develop and evaluate new models for service delivery that will help perpetrators even before they have been convicted. We know from the evaluative research that government has done, that intervention with perpetrators results in a significant reduction in future incidents. We also know that early intervention with those who are still assessed as being relatively low-risk perpetrators will not only reduce future incidents, but will also prevent many of them from evolving into medium- and high-risk perpetrators.”

Paul Lacerte, executive director of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres -

“Domestic violence doesn’t just affect families - it poisons communities. It’s up to all of us to take a stand against violence and to support perpetrators to change for the better. This funding will allow the BCAAFC to build on the success of the Moose Hide campaign by helping us support cultural programs for men who have acted violently. This is a step in the right direction.”

Quick Facts:

• From 2004 to 2009, it is estimated that more than 160,000 British Columbians were victims of domestic violence.
• From 2004 to 2014, domestic violence claimed the lives of 113 women in B.C - an average of 10 women each year.
• According to the BC Coroner’s Service 2014 report - Intimate Partner Violence in British Columbia, 2004-2014:
  • A total of 153 intimate partner violence (IPV) deaths occurred from 2004-14.
  • 74% of IPV victims were female.
• The B.C. government commits more than $70 million per year in prevention and intervention services and programs to help families involved in domestic violence and other crimes.
• The Province’s social media and radio campaign - #SaySomething - which launched in March 2015, builds on the momentum of B.C.’s Provincial Domestic Violence Plan, and is one of the first steps in government’s broader strategy for a violence-free B.C.
• The campaign, which works in concert with other campaigns, including Moose Hide, consists of animated videos and information on programs, services and supports for those who need help and want to help at: saysomethingbc.ca
• Earlier this month, the Province invested $5 million in civil forfeiture grants to support projects focused on ending violence against women and preventing crime.
• The Province has also committed to dedicating a portion of civil forfeiture funds in future years to support the Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy.
• The Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy outlines the path to creating a province where all women have the supports they need to help prevent violence, escape from violent situations, and recover if they have been victims of violence.
• The Provincial Office of Domestic Violence was created in March 2012 as the permanent lead for the B.C. government, focussed on strengthening the services and supports available for children, women and families affected by domestic violence.

Learn More:

To read the Provincial Domestic Violence Plan and learn more about the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/podv/index.htm

To read A Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy, visit: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/shareddocs/pubs/violence-free-bc.pdf

Stroh Health Care Consulting Corporation: www.strohhealth.com/index.html

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres: www.bcaafc.com/

Moose Hide Campaign: http://moosehidecampaign.ca/joomla/index.php/about-us

For more information on VictimLinkBC supports and services (24 hours a day), call 1 800 563-0808 or visit: www.victimlinkbc.ca/

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1553

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602