2022-15 INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) ACTION
Whereas #1: the Inquest report (July 2022) into the deaths of three women in Renfrew County, Ontario, made 85 recommendations on preventing all forms of abuse and death by an intimate partner, eight of which were directed to the Government of Canada; and
Whereas #2: there are often warning signs of femicide including previous threats, reports to police and pending separations; and
Whereas #3: numerous studies have identified IPV as a national crisis requiring definitive measures to address remediable action; and
Whereas #4: a National Action Plan regarding IPV agreed to by the Federal and Provincial Governments in 2021, is available for action; therefore be it
Resolved #1: that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) be addressed as a distinct crime impacting partners and former partners and that all necessary steps be taken to prevent IPV and effective remediation programs supported and be it further
Resolved #2: that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) urge the Government of Canada to address intimate partner violence by taking the following steps:
a) increase public education, including inter-generational abusive relationships
b) ensure consistent funding to provide services
c) address attention to rural locations
d) support survivors
e) introduce universal national adoption of Clare’s Law
f) immediately implement the National Action Plan agreed to by the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments in 2021; and be it further
Resolved #3: that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) urge Provincial Councils to urge their respective governments to cooperate with the Federal Government in implementing a National Action Plan to address IPV as a crisis, paying particular attention to the report of the Inquest Jury regarding the murder of three women in Renfrew County, Ontario and in light of the high number of women murdered by their partners across Canada.
Note: Clare’s Law, known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (CVDS), provides people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.