Domestic Violence Court Program

Jack just received a disturbing telephone call from his sister Anna late last night.  During an argument between Anna and her husband, violence erupted and a call to 911 was made by the oldest daughter.  Since a mandatory charging policy has been implemented in Ontario to improve the system’s response to domestic violence, if there are reasonable grounds, the police must lay charges.  In light of the circumstances, the police officer also made a dual arrest as he had reasonable grounds to charge both the offender and the victim.  Both parties must now appear in court and Jack wants to be present for his sister. 

Domestic violence, also referred to as intimate partner abuse, is a crime in Canada.  Though primarily perpetrated by men against women, it can also be carried out by women against men or even in same-sex relationships.  Domestic violence takes on many forms not limited to physical violence, and the complexities of these relationships may result in victims repeatedly exposing themselves to potential violence. 

In Ontario, the Domestic Violence Court  (DVC) Program accounts for the unique relationship between offender and victim as well as other individuals affected by the violence, such as children.  The DVC deals with domestic violence cases in several ways, including, intervening early on in abusive situations, providing assistance to victims, and holding offenders accountable for their actions. 

The casualties of domestic violence are not limited to those directly involved, thus consideration is given to the safety of other family members such as children as well.  There are several components and specialized personnel that assist the operation of this program, including: police, Crown Attorneys, the Partner Assault Response (PAR) program, the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) and other community agencies.  

The PAR program instructs and provides guidance to offenders ordered to follow the program by the court.  Its purpose is to hold offenders accountable for their abusive actions and to increase the safety of victims.  Offenders obtain the tools necessary to analyze their behaviour and to resolve conflict in a non-violent way.

The VWAP program is set-up to assist victims and witnesses of crimes by facilitating their understanding of the criminal court process and providing support as they participate in the process.  This service is not limited to domestic violence cases, as it also assists victims/witnesses of child abuse, sexual assault and homicide.  This program is meant to serve the vulnerable individuals involved in such crimes.  The services are provided from the time charges are laid to completion of the case.  Assistance offered includes: emotional support, court preparation and case information, as well as referrals to other organizations that provide support