(Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women)

By Nigel Maxwell, Josh Ryan and Angie Rolheiser

Community safety

Sask. agencies express mixed feelings about Clare’s Law rollout

Mar 31, 2021 | 2:42 PM

Nearly ten months have passed since Saskatchewan effectively became the first province to enact Clare’s Law, and now the door has widened for more individuals seeking help from domestic abuse.

From today, individuals now have the option to go to either their local municipal police station or their local RCMP detachment, and ask for information about their intimate partner’s past violent or abusive behaviour.

Sheri Giesbrecht, Manager of Central Ave. Residential Services at the Prince Albert YWCA, thinks the legislation will be a good preventative measure.

“As long as the disclosure rate doesn’t compromise client safety because I know it takes a lot of time to disclose that information,” she said.

And while Giesbrecht thinks Clare’s Law could be an effective tool for intervention, she also explained it’s not a foolproof situation.

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“Not every abuser is caught, like what if the partner doesn’t have a documented history of violence?” she said. “So there are holes in it.”

Amber Stewart, Executive Director of the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC), agreed the legislation was very good news for families and victims of domestic abuse in the province, noting Saskatchewan has led the country in rates of domestic violence.

“Any time we can make a change to support women in leaving and [have them] feeling supported in leaving, that’s a huge step forward,” she said.

In the past months, the Battlefords Sexual Assault Centre has already worked with the local RCMP detachment with presentation on the services and assistance the shelter provides, as well as several forms of training. However, moving forward, Stewart acknowledged she does have questions.

“Are RCMP members who attend a domestic violence call able to share with the victim where the accused has a history of domestic violence or do they have to wait for an application to be done?” Stewart said.

In the short term though, she said the announcement is a net win.

“This will give the RCMP and victims another tool to get out of violent situations and relationships, as well as address stigmas around domestic violence.”

Louis Schweitzer, Executive Director of North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS) in Melfort, was also very supportive of the legislation.

“This allows potential victims the knowledge, if they so choose, to look for it to see if their partner is safe,” she said. “It’s a tool that you can look into early on and intervene before it gets to the higher impacts of violence.”

While the NEOSS domestic violence shelter is for women and children, the staff does recognize that there are some men that are victimized in their relationships as well.

“We welcome them to think forward and we will work with them as a victim of violence,” Schweitzer said, “If you identify as a victim, we will work with you to end the victimization in your life.”

Reasons for delay in RCMP participation

When Clare’s Law took effect in Saskatchewan last year, the provincial government noted all municipal police services in the province would participate, but added the RCMP would not be taking part. That however, has now changed.

In a statement, C/Supt. Alfredo Bangloy, Acting Commanding Officer for the Saskatchewan RCMP, explained in order for the RCMP to participate in Clare’s Law, changes were first required to federal regulations.

“We’re committed to continuing to support those facing violence in relationships, intimate partner violence and gender based violence,” he said.

Bangloy also noted the RCMP is especially pleased that individuals in rural and remote areas of Saskatchewan will now have enhanced access to this valuable program.

After months of work, amendments to the RCMP Regulations, 2014 were proposed, which would allow the RCMP as the provincial police service, to fully participate in Clare’s Law legislation. This included consultations with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and Federal and Provincial governments.

Working with Public Safety Canada this week, the RCMP added new sections to those regulations to allow for the Saskatchewan RCMP’s participation in Clare’s Law.

What has been the response to date?

So far the Prince Albert Police Service has received one application under Clare’s Law.

“Our police service has provided training to all of our members on the new law, including our staff with Victim Services. In addition, we have a member assigned to the Multi-Sector Review Committee that reviews all Clare’s Law applications in the province,”‘ a statement from the police service said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports