Committees

Partner Abuse Response Program (PAR)

Specialized Domestic Violence Courts

In 1997 Specialized Domestic Violence courts were established in order to create new strategies for working with abusive men and their partners. Models for the courts were devised through extensive discussion among representatives of the criminal justice system, community based agencies, and survivors of abuse. The Woman Abuse Council has been an active participant in the development and implementation of the specialized domestic violence courts and strongly supports the four key objectives of the prosecution processes:

Early intervention in situations of domestic violence.
Vigorous prosecution of offenders who are charged with the offence.
Support and advocacy provided to victims of abuse.
A coordinated and integrated response between all sectors involved.

In order to prosecute domestic violence offenders more effectively and efficiently, two basic frameworks were developed: an Early Plea Court and the Coordinated Prosecution Court. An integral component of both court models is a 16-week counselling program that the offender must attend as a condition of bail (early plea) or probation (coordinated prosecution). When the specialized courts were established, the Ministry of the Attorney General stated that due to the risk and the need for quality control, the agencies working with offenders had to be accredited and must work with WACT.

Management of PAR Programs

WACT performs a direct role in managing and supporting the intake, case management and delivery of Partner Abuse Response (PAR) programs and a Partner Intervention Program for women who have been charged. The eleven agencies that offer PAR programs must meet the Accountability Standards and Operating Guidelines for spouse abuse programs in order to provide consistent and effective counselling that makes the safety of the victim a priority. The guidelines also formalize reporting relationships and communication between the PAR programs and other key sectors of the criminal justice system and stakeholders.

The Woman Abuse Council provides ongoing support in order to ensure coordination between sectors, provide a more effective and integrated response to domestic violence and ensure the safety of the victim. In order to meet the needs of diverse communities, provide maximum consistency and safety, and ensure that offenders of domestic violence are held accountable, the Woman Abuse Council has enlisted a variety of agencies for the provision of PAR programs, several of which are able to offer PAR programs in languages other than English.

The PAR committee meets monthly to discuss common issues and share information. The PAR Express newsletter is available to all members.

A big challenge for the committee members is the inadequacy of provincial funding to support PAR programs. The committee is examining this issue locally but would like to hear from other programs across the province.

For more information about the Partner Response Programs please contact Shannon Charles at 416-944-9242x229 or email shannonc@womanabuse.ca