WHEREAS family violence is recognized as a serious problem in Canada, where: - 6 of Canadians with a current or former spouse report being physically or sexually victimized by their spouse in the previous 5 years; - Nearly 55,000 children and youth were the victims of a sexual offence or physical assault in 2009, about 3 in 10 of which were perpetrated by a family member; - In 2009, police reported over 2,400 senior victims 65 years and older of violent crime by a family member, representing about one-third of all violent incidents committed against older adults; and - Between 2000 and 2009, there were 738 spousal homicides, representing 16 of all solved homicides and nearly half 47 of all family-related homicides; AND WHEREAS British Columbia has no specific legislation designed to complement and enhance the protections in the Criminal Code which prevent and protect victims of family and relationship violence, while six other provinces Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan and three territories Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut have enhanced protection to victims of family and relationship violence by proclaiming specific family and relationship violence prevention legislation as a tool to reduce the cycle of family and relationship violence and ensuring all justice system workers e.g. police, crown prosecutors, judges and workers within the social services are trained adequately and appropriately in its administration: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the provincial government to enact specific legislation that would offer extended protection to victims of family and relationship violence beyond that which is provided for in the Criminal Code and to ensure that all justice system workers receive adequate and appropriate training in its administration.
Ministry of Justice The Province of British Columbia Province has shown leadership and steadfast commitment to creating a more effective response to family violence, including the development and implementation of domestic violence legislation to help effectively prevent and combat family violence. The new Family Law Act, which comes into force on March 18, 2013, provides a new protection order regime. This new regime is similar to the stand-alone family violence prevention legislation in other provinces and territories. It offers extended protection to victims of family and relationship violence beyond which is provided for in the Criminal Code and can be used as a tool to reduce the cycle of family and relationship violence. As well, the Province is working with justice system participants, police and victim services workers, to ensure they receive adequate training and understand the new regime. In addition, the Province is committed to a number of other initiatives aimed at addressing family violence, including the establishment of the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence. An action plan prepared by the Office was recently released and outlines a domestic violence training plan for those in the justice and other sectors. The changes to the Family Law Act and the ongoing work of the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence address many of the issues behind the resolution and put British Columbia at the vanguard of legislative reform in addressing this important issue.