Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On April 11th the NWT coroner issued her report on the tragic death of Alice Black in February of 2009. Out of respect for Alice Black and all our victims of family violence, we mustn’t let that report pass without comment.
The report details a horrific sequence of events leading to the brutal homicide of Ms. Black. In her comments and recommendations, Coroner Cathy Menard pointed out the devastating impact of family violence on people and communities, but said it is largely preventable using interventions developed in many northern communities. Ms. Black’s case, the coroner said, lack of these supports, particularly the lack of a safe haven contributed directly to her death.
Statistics on NWT conditions are startling. An NWT rate of 246 incidents of family violence per 10,000 persons, second only to Nunavut at eight times the national average. In 2010-11 there were 223 family violence reports to GNWT Social Services where 483 children witnessed the violence. The 2008 survey of family violence attitude says a third of people still think family violence is a private matter. Ninety percent of people believe more family violence shelters and offender programs are needed.
Much good work has been done to address family violence since the submission of the Coalition Against Family Violence’s first recommendations in 2003. Its phase 3 report last year offered 19 recommendations in three major categories. It recommends funding a pilot, a 24-week program for men who use violence, plus the need for more community outreach and the need for a strong campaign to shift attitudes in the long term.
Following up on these recommendations, the Minister told us on Wednesday of his recent meeting with Coalition members and his intention to fund the 24-week pilot program. He also spoke of moving to consider core funding and to continue cooperation on addressing the other recommendations.
Analysis shows that the new emergency protection orders are a very successful tool. This is all welcome news. However, outreach programs funding for regions without family violence shelters has been cut. We still have far too few community safe havens and adequate policing is lacking in many communities. The situation is alarming. We have a long way to go.
Let’s work hard to resolve these conditions. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
