Family Violence Initiative

Spousal Abuse Policies and Legislation

Final Report of the Ad Hoc Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group Reviewing Spousal Abuse Policies and Legislation

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Table of Contents

• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• SECTION I: REVIEW OF SPOUSAL ABUSE POLICIES
  1. Background
  2. The Nature and Incidence of Spousal Abuse in Canada
  3. Criminal Justice System’s Response to Spousal Abuse
     1. Charging Policies
     2. Prosecution Policies
  4. Assessing the Impact of the Spousal Abuse Policies
     1. Pro-Charging Policy
     2. Conclusions
     3. Recommendations
     4. Pro-Prosecution Policy
     5. Conclusions
     6. Recommendations
  5. Use of Alternative Justice Processes in Spousal Abuse Cases
     1. Alternative Measures
     2. Restorative Justice Processes
     3. Conclusions
     4. Recommendations
• SECTION II: STRUCTURES AND MODELS
  1. Co-ordinating Mechanisms
     1. Research and Best Practices
     2. Co-ordinating Mechanisms in Canadian Jurisdictions
     3. Elements of an Effective Response
     4. Challenges
     5. Recommendations
  2. Domestic Violence Courts
     1. Research and Best Practices
     2. The Winnipeg Family Violence Court
     3. Ontario Domestic Violence Courts Program
     4. Yukon Domestic Violence Treatment Option
     5. Calgary Domestic Violence Courtroom
     6. Elements of an Effective Response
     7. Challenges
     8. Recommendations
  3. Domestic Violence Legislation
     1. Elements of the Legislation
     2. Perceived Benefits
     3. Elements of an Effective Response
     4. Issues and Concerns
     5. Challenges
     6. Recommendations
• SECTION III: SUPPORT PROGRAMS
  1. Victim Services
     1. Cross-jurisdictional Overview of Victim Services
     2. Elements of an Effective Response
     3. Challenges
     4. Recommendations
  2. Shelters, Outreach, Advocacy and Other Support Services for Abused Women
     1. Types of Support Services
     2. Elements of an Effective Response
     3. Challenges
     4. Recommendations
  3. Interventions for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
     1. Cross-jurisdictional Overview of Programs for Children Exposed to Family Violence
     2. Elements of an Effective Response
     3. Challenges
     4. Recommendations
  4. Abusive Partner Intervention Programs
     1. Cross-Canada Overview of Abusive Partner Intervention Programs
     2. Elements of an Effective Response
     3. Challenges
     4. Recommendations
  5. Risk Assessment
     1. Research and Best Practices
     2. Elements of an Effective Response
     3. Challenges
     4. Recommendations
  6. Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
     1. Elements of an Effective Response
     2. Challenges
     3. Recommendations
  7. Training
     1. Elements of an Effective Response
     2. Challenges
     3. Recommendations
  8. Prevention
     1. Elements of an Effective Response
     2. Challenges
     3. Recommendations
• SECTION IV: SUMMARY
• SECTION V: LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
• SECTION VI: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
  1. Mandate of the Ad Hoc Working Group
  2. 1983 Federal Directives to Police and Crown Prosecutors
  3. Overview of Spousal Abuse Programs
• ENDNOTES

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