Family violence legislation provides options

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tom Marshall said in the House of Assembly today that government�s Family Violence Protection Act will provide victims of family violence with more options and choice in the justice system.

�Our family violence legislation provides immediate responses for victims of family violence in emergency situations. It fills a void in the justice process for victims by providing a broader range of more immediate remedies than those available through the Criminal Code," said Minister Marshall during debate on proposed new legislation, The Family Violence Prevention Act that he introduced in the House earlier this week.

�When police respond to a family violence call, often it is the victim and children who must leave the home in a police car to be transported to a safe shelter,� said Minister Marshall. �Through Emergency Protection Orders, this legislation would provide, among other things, for the victim to remain in the family home where they can have uninterrupted access to school, family, employment and community support.�

�Applications for Emergency Protection Orders will be able to be made on an ex parte basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and a lawyer will not be required in order to make such applications. We are expanding access to justice for people residing in areas where there is no court,� Minister Marshall continued.

Minister Marshall noted a number of stakeholders played a significant role in researching and preparing this legislation and their efforts should be applauded. �Officials from Justice and the Women�s Policy Office, the Provincial Transition House Association, Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the John Howard Society, the Violence Prevention Initiative�s Regional Committees Eastern and Western all made solid contributions to developing this piece of legislation. Public consultations throughout the island and in Labrador proved very beneficial as well,� said Minister Marshall.

�While this legislation will not ultimately solve the problem of family violence in our society, it is another measure we can offer victims to provide them with more options and choice in the justice system,� said Minister Marshall. �Family violence is a serious matter and government is committed to developing better and more effective tools to help victims of family violence. Government also remains committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens.�

Media contact: Billy Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390

2005 11 24                            3:30 p.m.