The information provided on this blog is to, the best of our knowledge, accurate and up-to-date as of the date of posting. However, please be aware that information can change rapidly and without notice. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented after the posting date. It is advised that readers exercise due diligence and independently verify the accuracy of information they find on this blog news feed. Here are links to the most current information available in relation to our Membership, Saskatchewan Case Law, and Saskatchewan Legislation.
Saskatchewan Introduces Claire’s Law
November 21, 2018By Alan Kilpatrick
Justice Minister Don Morgan introduced Bill 141: The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act to the Saskatchewan Legislature on November 5th. The legislation is intended to enable police to inform an at-risk individual about their partner’s violent past. Saskatchewan, according to the Government’s new release, is the first province in Canada to introduce legislation of this kind.
The bill, also known as Claire’s Law after a British woman murdered by her partner, emerged out of the Government’s Domestic Violence Review Panel. Earlier this year, the panel’s final report acknowledged that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of domestic violence in Canada. It proposed several recommendations including Claire’s Law.
The legislation would, CBC Saskatchewan reported, enable a concerned party to make an application pursuant to the legislation. A panel would review the application and determine whether to release information about a violent individual to their partner.
Fittingly, representatives from the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) were present at the Legislature for the introduction of the legislation. PATHS is a non-profit organization that provides domestic violence support services in Saskatchewan.
Sources
Government of Saskatchewan. (2018, May 24). Saskatchewan Domestic Violence Death Review Report. Retrieved from http://www.saskatchewan.ca/~/media/news%20release%20backgrounders/2018/may/sk%20dv%20death%20review%20report.pdf
Graham, J. (2018, November 5). Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol Act – Clare’s Law – Introduced In Saskatchewan. Retrieved from https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2018/november/05/clares-law
Hunter, A. (2018, November 5). Saskatchewan 1st to introduce Clare’s Law, aimed at stopping domestic violence. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-clares-law-domestic-violence-1.4892606.
In my view, from both personal experience and having heard the personal experiences of many, many women in abuse support groups over the years, the problem is not creating more laws in Sask to protect victims. The problem is that when the violence is reported, the police never even both to question the abuser unless there are obvious signs of bruising and bleeding; the problem is that the judges will tell a victim that she is making up the story. There is a pervasive attitude and acceptance of domestic violence handed down over the generations in Sask and until there is enforcement of the laws, there will never be compliance.