News release

Report Card on Family Violence Project Released

Justice

The results are in. The Framework for Action Against Family Violence was a success and had a positive impact on the response of the justice system to victims of family violence.

"We have made progress here," said Justice Minister Robbie Harrison. "The evaluation shows a significant increase in charge rates, shorter waiting times for court appearances and an improved response to those touched by family violence."

The framework was introduced in 1995 and included integrated policies for responding to family violence, reflecting a pro-arrest, pro-prosecution policy. Other vital components of the policy included training for front-line justice workers, accountability mechanisms and enhanced victim support services.

More than 3,000 justice workers were trained. They learned of the cycle of violence, the roles and responsibilities of each component of the system, and how services could be linked in responding to family violence. The model used to train justice workers was recommended as the appropriate prototype to be used when other criminal justice policies are introduced. The evaluation report recommended that a strategy for ongoing training be developed to ensure justice workers are familiar with the policies and procedures related to the framework.

The policy has increased charge and conviction rates. A total of 6,964 incidents reported to police from April 1996 to August 1998 were tracked. The charge rate was 72 per cent over the 29 months. This is a significant increase from the charge rate of 44 per cent reported in the 1995 Nova Scotia Family Violence Tracking Project.

Police response times also improved from the 1995 tracking project, to seven minutes from nine. Conviction rates of 65 per cent compare favourably with rates for similar offences at 60 per cent in adult provincial courts during 1996-97, and are significantly higher than the 57 per cent documented in the tracking project.

The report recommended that policies relating to gathering of evidence at the scene be reviewed, and that family violence cases be flagged so that procedures relating to the framework are appropriately applied.

The eight projects providing support services for victims across the province were reviewed initially by Gardner Pinfold Consulting and subsequently by the departments of Justice and Community Services. Both reports found there was a duplication of services being provided by the projects and those services currently being provided by Transition House Outreach programs, RCMP Victim Assistance programs, and the Department of Justice Victims' Services, causing confusion for clients. Concerns were raised regarding the time spent on administration as a result of the separate structures of the projects. The report suggests that a better balance could be reached if the projects were attached to existing services, serving a greater number of clients in a more effective manner.

The report concludes that the framework has been a success, though it does recognizes there is a need to build on that success by considering the problem of family violence in a more holistic manner. The report notes that the justice system can respond swiftly to criminal acts but has minimal impact on the dynamics of the abusive relationship.

It recommends further review of the viability and effectiveness of innovative dispute resolution processes, and that government agencies continue to work with community partners to address the issue of family violence.

"I am proud of what we have achieved through the framework," said Mr. Harrison. "Our work must continue to ensure that everyone enjoys their right to live free of violence."


NOTE TO EDITORS: The report is available online at www.gov.ns.ca/just/framework.html .