U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Coherent and Principled Response to Family Violence in Alberta: Recommendations for Action and Change

NCJ Number
215737
Author(s)
Williams Hurlburt Q.C.; Judge Walder White
Date Published
October 2003
Length
68 pages
Annotation
This report presents recommendations from the Alberta Family Violence Review Team to assist in the development of a comprehensive approach to reducing and preventing the consequences of family violence on abused family members, on children, and upon society.
Abstract
Recommendations made that are necessary to an integrated and coordinated response to the problem of family violence include: a coherent and principled response, improve information flow between courts, prioritize and promote the coordination and integration of responses of various services to family violence, and make funding available through the funding of local initiatives. Nonspecific recommendations which are of great importance and should also be kept in the forefront of those responsible for the community response to family violence include: women’s emergency response shelters, victims’ services, new identities for victims of abuse, court-related supports for children, protection and restraining order project, and public information and education. The proposals and recommendations made in this report are intended to apply to all Albertans who are affected by family violence. In 2003, the Canadian Minister of Children’s Services asked the Family Violence Review Team for thoughts on Alberta’s current legislation and policy for the prevention of family violence, and where possibilities exist for ensuring comprehensive services of the highest standard. This report was the result. The report discusses a number of topics, some of major importance and others for special discussion. It describes the proposed legislation, which will implement many of the recommendations. The legislation is designed with a view to incorporate in one statute all the relevant law relating to the response to family violence. The report concludes with an outline of the recommendations and the steps taken towards implementation of each. Appendix