Criminal Justice System Response to Men's Violence Against Women
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For information, please contact: Executive Director The London Abused Women’s Centre 217 York Street, Suite 107 London, Ontario N6A 5P9 phone: 519-432-2204 fax: 519-679-3918 e-mail: [email protected] © Copyright information London Abused Women’s Centre 217 York Street, Suite 107 London, Ontario N6A 5P9 Cite reference as: Criminal Justice System Response to Men’s Violence Against Women Within Their Intimate Relationships, London Abused Women’s Centre (2001). Criminal Justice System Response to Men’s Violence Against Women Within Their Intimate Relationships - Final Report. London, Ontario: Author Author: Megan Walker and Pam Hanington All rights reserved. Funding for this project was made available through Status of Women Canada. “I believe domestic violence - whether its verbal or physical - is related in some way to every social problem facing this country. If we could get a handle on domestic abuse, we could get a handle on a lot of social problems that we’re spending millions of dollars on today.” (Casey Gwinn, San Diego City Attorney, The Toronto Star, March 16, 1996) Statement of Principles 1. Men’s violence against women in intimate relationships is a serious community problem requiring a coordinated response by criminal justice service providers, medical and social services professionals and by the public. 2. Victims are never responsible for the violence. A man’s violence towards his partner is a result of his personal choice and he is entirely responsible and accountable for his violence. 3. Men’s violence against women within their intimate relationships is a criminal act which requires an effective and rigorous legal response. 4. It is the responsibility of the Police, Crown Counsel, judiciary and all other criminal justice service providers to seek ongoing professional development opportunities to familiarize themselves with the distinct dynamics and complex issues of men’s violence against women within their relationships. 5. Crown Attorneys, Police, judiciary and all other criminal justice service providers must understand the social, political and economic factors inherent in men’s violence against women. 6. It is the responsibility of the Police to investigate men’s violence against women and to lay appropriate criminal charges wherever reasonable grounds exist. 7. It is the responsibility of the Police to assist in providing adequate protection for the victims and for the children who have witnessed the abuse. 8. It is the responsibility of the Police to fully investigate and to gather sufficient evidence to assist in the conviction of the offender. 9. It is the responsibility of Crown Counsel to vigorously and consistently prosecute all cases of men’s violence against women using all available resources and evidence, and to initiate an early interview with the victim. 10. It is the responsibility of the Police, Crown Counsel, judiciary and all other criminal justice service providers to be familiar with community resources that provide services to victims of men’s violence against women. (Adapted from: A Protocol Dealing With Wife/Partner Assault and Criminal Harassment in the County of Renfrew (1995), the Community Accountability Principles of the London Coordinating Committee to End Woman Abuse (1994) and the Best Practice Guidelines of the Metro Woman Abuse Protocol Project (1995)). Executive Summary “Each year on average in Canada, nearly 80 men kill women - their partners or former partners - most often when a woman is attempting to leave or has left an abusive relationship with the murderer.” (Johnson, 1996) The work of ending men’s violence against women in their intimate relationships is complex and daunting. The expectation of a criminal justice system response is relatively recent in our history and, to date, the reviews are mixed. Currently in Canada, the state cannot effectively intervene to prevent further incidents of violence without the woman’s express cooperation. The present laws under which perpetrators are charged, and the ensuing processes, are simply not adequate for responding to the distinct dynamics present in cases of domestic violence. It is acknowledged that intervention by the criminal justice system is not preventative. Even at initial contact, the violence has already occurred. The best possible outcome is that further incidents of violence will be averted through rigorous investigation, prosecution and sentencing practices which reflect the seriousness of the crime. To date, this is not the usual outcome. This document is the result of the London Abused Women’s Centre’s investigation of the criminal justice system’s response to men’s violence against women within their intimate relationships. The investigation, funded by Status of Women Canada, was initially undertaken to develop a model protocol and training materials for the criminal justice system to respond more effectively to domestic violence. During the investigation, it became apparent that many formal aspects and current practices of the criminal justice system are incapable of responding effectively to the distinct dynamics involved when crimes are committed within intimate relationships. This document is intended to generate discussion, initiate further research and inspire continued advocacy on behalf of women who utilize the criminal justice system in response to men’s violence. Goal of the Project The goal of this project is to prevent the murder of women by: 1. Enhancing the safety of women who utilize the criminal justice system in response to the violence within their intimate relationships. This can be accomplished through uniform information, standards, procedures and practices for training, investigation, prosecution, sentencing and supervision; 2. Increasing the knowledge of criminal justice system personnel, specifically the distinct dynamics of men’s violence against women within their intimate relationships. This will facilitate justice for women without re- victimization and will promote more effective solutions to domestic violence; 3. Proposing the development of specific legislation on domestic violence to be introduced into the Criminal Code of Canada. This should include sufficient standards, procedures and practices that capture the distinct dynamics of men’s violence against women within their intimate relationships. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ......................................................... 1 CHAPTER ONE: Model Murder Prevention Protocol .................................... 6 POLICE...................................................... 6 Investigation............................................. 7 Monitoring.............................................. 10 Bail Hearings ........................................... 10 Intervention Order........................................ 11 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTS ................................ 12 CROWN ATTORNEYS......................................... 13 Procedures to be used by Crown Attorneys .................... 14 Case Preparation ........................................ 14 Videotaped Testimony .................................... 14 Expert Testimony........................................ 15 Preliminary Hearing ...................................... 15 Trial .................................................. 15 Sentencing............................................. 16 JUDGES AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ......................... 17 CORRECTIONS.............................................. 17 Pre-Sentence Reports .................................... 17 Post-Sentence Supervision ................................ 18 Breaches of Conditions ................................... 18 Parole Board............................................ 19 VICTIM/WITNESS SERVICES ................................... 19 Victim Impact Statements.................................. 19 PROGRAMS FOR MEN WHO ABUSE............................. 19 Marriage Counselling ..................................... 21 CHAPTER TWO: The Context of Men’s Violence Against Women Within Their Intimate Relationships ............................ 22 Violent Men’s Beliefs About Women ............................... 23 Abuse in Intimate Relationships .................................. 24 Common Misconceptions About Woman Abuse ...................... 26 Excuses Used by Men Who Are Violent Towards Women .............. 29 CHAPTER THREE: Men’s Violence Against Women and Its Impact on Children Who Witness .................................. 31 Effects on Children Who Are Exposed to Violence Against Women....... 31 LCCEWA Submission to the Special Joint Committee on Custody and Access ..................... 33 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) CHAPTER THREE: Men’s Violence Against Women and Its Impact on Children Who Witness (continued) LCCEWA Submission to IER Planning, Research & Management Services Federal/Provincial/Territorial Consultation Re: Custody, Access and Child Support in Canada Feedback Booklet ........................ 42 Woman Abuse - The Impact on Children ........................... 72 CHAPTER FOUR: Additional Issues for Consideration .................................. 79 Police ...................................................... 79 Faculties of Law .............................................. 79 Domestic Violence Act ......................................... 79 New Identities Act ............................................. 79 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................... 80 KEY INFORMANTS ...................................................... 89 RESOURCES