National
A Comparison of Domestic and Non-Domestic Homicides: Further Evidence for Distinct Dynamics and Heterogeneity of Domestic Homicide Perpetrators
This research study compared victim, perpetrator, and offense characteristics of domestic homicide cases and non-domestic homicide cases in Canada. Results indicated that domestic homicides have distinct dynamics specifically that the majority were perpetrated out of proprietary revenge, most domestic homicides were planned, and the majority were identified as high-risk on the revised Danger Assessment tool. You can view the abstract for free online. You will have to purchase the article or have a membership to gain full access.
Criminal Justice Outcomes in Intimate and Non-intimate Partner Homicide Cases
The article analyzed City of Toronto homicide cases from 1974-2002 to determine whether or not the criminal justice system treats those who are accused of killing an intimate partner differently than those who are accused of killing an individual with whom they have a distant relationship. The results concluded that there has been a change in verdict trends over time, such that those accused of killing an intimate partner were less likely to be found guilty in earlier years, than those accused of the same crime in more recent years. The article explains the trends in depth and hypothesizes reasoning for the change in trends found.
Enhancing Safety: When Domestic Violence Cases are in multiple legal systems
The purpose of this article is to identify legal practices that enhance the safety of families throughout domestic violence proceedings, while simultaneously ensuring due process. The article is based on extensive previous research, which identifies the lack of support and safety given to the families involved in domestic violence cases by the legal system. The researchers developed a list of positive legal practices, and put forth a number of options and recommendations to heighten the safety of families.
Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile
This report provides an overview of family violence in Canada in 2009. The report outlines the extent and nature of the violence, as well as trends over time. Each edition of the Family Violence in Canada report has a specific focus. The focus of this edition (13th) is self-reported incidents of spousal victimization. The report also provides an overview of violence against children and youth, family violence against seniors, and domestic homicide.
Gender Differences in Police-reported Violent Crime in Canada, 2008
This report provides an overview of the gender differences in victimization of violent crime in Canada. The report includes a wide range of types of victimization including health; household income; sexual and physical assault; immigration; homicide; and hate crimes. The results concluded that in Canada in 2008 the rates of violent victimization were comparable for men and women; however, the nature of the victimization differs.
Homicide in Canada, 2012
This is the most recent report from Statistics Canada on homicide rates in the country. In 2012, there were 82 intimate partner homicides in Canada with the majority (83%) involving a female victim. Intimate partner homicide accounted for 20% of all solved homicides in 2012. The rate for intimate partner homicide was highest among Canadians between 25 and 34 years of age. The majority of intimate partner homicides (46%) were committed by a current or former legal spouse. Five percent of intimate partner homicides in 2012 involved same-sex couples.
Interim Report Call into the Night: An Overview of Violence Against Aboriginal Women
The Standing Committee on the Status of Women began a study in 2010 on violence against Aboriginal Women. The goals of the study are to gain an understanding of the extent and nature of this violence, examine the root causes of the violence, and collaborate with Aboriginal women to provide recommendations for solutions. This report provides an overview of the research conducted from 2010-2011 and the findings concluded thus far. The report includes topics such as forms of violence; poverty; judicial response; opportunity for healing; and the continuum of housing.
Intimate Partner Violence Risk Assessment Tools: A Review
This report provides a thorough description of the risk assessment tools available for intimate partner violence, as well as the issues that should be addressed when determining which assessment tool to be used. The report explains the use for the assessment tools in a variety of settings, as well as their strengths and limitations. The purpose of the report is to provide the reader with a better understanding of the assessment tools available and how assessors decide which tool to use in which situation.
Inventory of Spousal Violence Risk Assessment Tools Used In Canada
The purpose of this report was to compile a list of risk assessment tools used for spousal violence in Canada. The report not only identifies available assessment tools, it also provides a description of their use and their strengths and weaknesses.
Multi-disciplinary Perspectives on Preventing Domestic Homicides: A Discussion Paper from a Canadian Think Tank
On October 20-21, 2008, the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children hosted a national think tank on the review of Canadian domestic homicides. The overall objective of the think tank was to bring together multi-disciplinary perspectives from different Canadian provinces to share experiences in reviewing domestic homicides. This discussion paper summarizes the challenges to the death review process identified in discussions from the think tank and describes current promising practices that respond to these challenges.
National Trends in Intimate Partner Homicides, 1974 - 2000
In this report, the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics compiled intimate partner homicide information from 1974-2000. The report assesses trends relating to the frequency of intimate partner homicide, the gender of the victim, the gender of the perpetrator, marital status of the victim and perpetrator, the use of weapons, prior criminal convictions, and a comparison of provincial statistics. After identifying the trends the report provides interpretation for the changes seen across the years.
The Case for Gun Control: Reducing Domestic Homicide
This report focuses on domestic violence and domestic homicide by evaluating victims’ risk. The researchers place primary emphasis on the presence of guns as a major risk for domestic homicide. The report evaluates the role of the law in reducing victimization of domestic homicide. Lastly, the report identifies trends in domestic homicide in comparison to the implementation of stronger gun control laws.
The Justice Response to Domestic Violence: A Literature Review
This literature review is the product of two major research projects, and continues to be updated yearly as new research and data is collected. The literature review begins with an overview of domestic violence in Canada. The review then describes how both police and the court respond to domestic violence cases and the factors that influence their response. The literature review ends with an extensive report of how victims perceive the response of the court system in cases of domestic violence.
Violent victimization of Aboriginal women in the Canadian provinces, 2009
Statistics Canada produced this report, which outlines the nature and prevalence of self-reported violence against Aboriginal women in ten provinces in Canada. The report further evaluates victims’ use of support systems, their likelihood to report victimization to police, and the consequences they face from the violent victimization. Lastly, the report examines Aboriginal Women’s perceptions of how safe they feel and how satisfied they are with the responses of the criminal justice system.
Voices of Our Sisters In Spirit: A Report to Families and Communities
The Sisters in Spirit is an initiative focused on addressing the alarmingly high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. This article provides an account of the lives of the missing and murdered women and girls from the perspective of their loved ones. The authors gathered information from the family members and wrote detailed stories of the lives of those victimized. The article concludes with an update of the statistics and research completed thus far by the Sisters in Spirit initiative.
What Their Stories Tell Us: Research findings from the Sisters In Spirit initiative
The Sisters in Spirit project is a research initiative focused on missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada that has be ongoing since 2005. This report is a compilation of the research findings concluded thus far. The report addresses three main topics: the first is the root causes and trends in violence against Aboriginal women and girls in Canada; the second topic is the examination of the actual number of Aboriginal women and girls who have been victimized in Canada; and lastly, the researchers explore how and why the number of Aboriginal women and girls victimized was able to rise alarmingly high without any connection from the police or justice authorities.
Alberta
Domestic Violence Handbook: for Police and Crown Prosecutors in Alberta
The Domestic Violence Handbook for Police and Crown Prosecutors in Alberta provides an overview of research, best practices, and knowledge that is essential for experts in the justice system to have in order to provide an effective response to family violence. Topics include: defining domestic violence; outlining family violence initiatives in Alberta; understanding the victims and the abuser; vulnerable victims of domestic violence; best practices for police investigating domestic violence and Crown prosecutors addressing victim's issues; criminal harassment; dual charging; risk assessment; safety planning; civil orders; firearms; sentencing of offenders; and coordination and collaboration among police and Crown prosecutors.
Keeping Women Alive – Assessing The Danger
Between 2007 and 2009, a study was conducted to examine the utilization of the Danger Assessment tool in Alberta shelters in order to inform women’s shelter practice in keeping women and children safe; provide accurate evidenced-based research for use by community stakeholders; and pilot a train-the-trainer model using Canadian/Alberta data. This document provides key results from the study including practice-focused recommendations based on data from the Danger Assessment tool.
British Columbia
Domestic Violence Prevention and Reduction in British Columbia (2000-2010)
The Domestic Violence Prevention and Reduction report reviews domestic violence prevention and reduction initiatives in British Columbia from 2000 to 2010, and more recently. Topics include: an outline the review process for the report; terminology to describe domestic violence; statistical data on rates of domestic violence in Canada and British Columbia; the health, social, and economic costs of domestic violence; and the impact of witnessing domestic violence on children.
Intimate Partner Violence in British Columbia, 2003-2011
British Columbia's Coroners Service, Ministry of Justice, prepared a report that describes domestic homicide cases in the province between 2003 and 2011. The report highlights key statistics such as type of incident, victim and assailant demographics, means of death, and the circumstances and motivation surrounding the homicides.
Keeping Women Safe: Eight Critical Components of an Effective Justice Response To Domestic Violence
The Critical Components Project Team of British Columbia developed a project with the goal of utilizing the most current research and experience to develop a framework to guide the development of a comprehensive, coordinated specialized justice system response to domestic violence in British Columbia. The team prepared a paper of their findings and recommendations. The paper identifies eight critical components of an effective specialized justice response to domestic violence: 1) managing risk and victim safety; 2) offender accountability; 3) specialized victim support; 4) information-sharing; 5) coordination among sectors; 6) domestic violence policy; 7) use of specialized expertise; and 8) monitoring and evaluation. Furthermore, the paper includes recommendations to help ensure the successful development and implementation of these critical components across British Columbia.
Taking Action on Domestic Violence in British Columbia
In response to the 2012 Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) Report, 'Honouring Kaitlynne, Max and Cordon: Make their voices heard now', the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence Ministry of Children and Family Development prepared the report, 'Taking Action on Domestic Violence in British Columbia.' The report outlines an action plan for addressing domestic violence across the child and family servicing systems in British Columbia. The plan lays out key deliverables, actions and timelines that respond to the recommendations made in the RCY report and outlines the government's plan to improve and strengthen the response to domestic violence in the province with a clear focus on the safety of children, women, families and communities.
Violence Against Women and their Children in BC: 33 Years of Recommendations
This document is a summation of recommendations from reports on violence against women and children since 1979. The report identifies the risk, prevalence, and seriousness of domestic violence in British Columbia. What needs to be done to assist women and children who are victims of domestic violence, what can be done to prevent future violence, and how these changes can be implemented are discussed.
Violence Against Women in Relationships: POLICY, December 2010
The Violence Against Women in Relationships (VAWIR) policy was first developed in 1993 as a revision to the original 1986 Ministry of Attorney General Wife Assault policy in British Columbia. The VAWIR has been updated several times since 1993 with this current 2010 report being the most up-to-date. The purpose of the VAWIR policy is to ensure an effective, integrated and coordinated response to domestic violence from justice and child welfare and to provide the public with information about the complex criminal issue of domestic violence in the province.
Manitoba
Manitoba''s Multi-year Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy
In 2012, the Manitoba government released the province's multi-year domestic violence prevention strategy. The strategy outlines new supports for victims and families; interventions for abusers; and awareness, prevention, and training initiatives.
New Brunswick
Domestic Homicide in New Brunswick: An Overview of Some Contributing Factors
This study reviews domestic homicide cases that occurred in New Brunswick between 1984 and 2005. Factors associated with higher risk of homicide are identified, including the risk of living in a rural community.
Recognizing and Responding to Risk Factors for Domestic Homicide in New Brunswick
This presentation was given by Dr. Deborah Doherty at the 2012 Provincial Caring Partnerships Committee conference, 'Family Violence: Strategies for Healthy Living and Healthy Relationships.' The presentation provides a brief overview of the risk factors associated with domestic homicide and reflects on differences in urban and rural experiences of domestic violence in New Brunswick. Unique rural-based solutions to domestic violence are highlighted.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Violence Against Women in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Fact Sheet
This report highlights statistics on violence against women in Newfoundland and Labrador including the rate of domestic homicide.
Nova Scotia
A Statistical Portrait of Intimate Partner Violence: Nova Scotian and Canadian Perspectives
This report, released by the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, provides a statistical profile of intimate partner violence in Nova Scotia and in Canada. The report highlights incidence rates, supports and services for victims, long-term consequences of intimate partner violence, police response to intimate partner violence in Nova Scotia, and statistics on offenders.
Domestic Violence Action Plan
In response to the 2009 report from the Domestic Violence Prevention Committee of Nova Scotia, the Government of Nova Scotia developed the Domestic Violence Action Plan. This plan outlines a range of actions that the government is launching in order to effectively respond to family violence in the province.
High-Risk Case Coordination Protocol Framework
This report documents the Provincial Protocol Framework, developed as a result of a recommendations made from the internal reviews into the deaths of Lori Lee Maxwell and Bruce Allan George and the external Russell review into the Framework for Action Against Family Violence. The Provincial Protocol Framework highlights the importance of comprehensive case coordination with high risk cases of domestic violence.
Report of the Domestic Violence Prevention Committee
In 2009, the Domestic Violence Prevention Committee of Nova Scotia submitted a report to the Deputy Ministers' Leadership Committee on Family Violence. The report contained several recommendations for responding to family violence in the province with specific attention to services for victims, prevention and public education, interventions for abusers, and judicial and legislative responses.
Ontario
Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) Femicide List 2013
This is a list of women in Ontario who were murdered in 2013 as a result of gender-based violence. A number of media sources were used to identify these women including The Toronto Star, CVC, CTV News, the Toronto Sun, the Huffington Post, smaller community newspapers and other internet sources. This document was created in partnership with Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses and a fourth year sociology class with Professor Mavis Morton at the University of Guelph. If any women are missing from this list, please contact OAITH at 416-977-6619 ext. 2 or susan@oaith.ca.
This report summarizes the proceedings from the conference 'Reducing the Risk of Lethal Violence. Collaboration in Threat Assessment & Risk Management: From Theory to Practice' that took place in Hamilton, Ontario on February 7th to 9th, 2010. The conference was funded by the Ontario Women's Directorate. The report summarizes the discussions about the challenges that impede collaboration on risk management; practical solutions to the barriers for information sharing posed by confidentiality requirements and potential action plans to advance collaboration on threat assessment and risk management in different jurisdictions.
This report outlines a coordinated model designed to help integrate community interventions to protect child victims of domestic violence. The report provides an overview of the proposed model, how it was developed, the benefits of taking a coordinated approach, and how a coordinated response will enhance the safety of victims of domestic violence.
This report summarizes the information received from a follow-up survey regarding information received from the 2010 forum 'Reducing the Risk of Lethal Violence. Collaboration in Threat Assessment & Risk Management: From Theory to Practice.' The purpose of survey was to determine whether the information from the forum was helpful in changing practices in communities regarding threat assessment and risk management. In total, 58 people who attended the forum responded to the survey representing 36 Domestic Violence Community Coordinating Committees from across Ontario.
'Transforming Our Communities' is a report from the Domestic Violence Advisory Council for the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues in the province of Ontario. The report outlines 45 recommendations intended to move forward the Ontario government's public policy direction to end violence against women. The Domestic Violence Advisory Council reviewed research and documents, commissioned its own research and received presentations from experts in violence against women in order to guide their work and ensure that systemic issues and strategies to address women's needs were reflected in the recommendations. The Council focused their recommendations to five key areas: access and equity for all women; the legal response to violence against women; education and training provided to professionals and the public; threat assessment and risk management; and child welfare.
Women and Children Murdered in Ontario in 2012: Partner was charged or committed suicide
The Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses (OAITH) compiled a list of women and children murdered in the context of domestic violence in Ontario in 2012.
Prince Edward Island
Twenty years after the Montreal Massacre, the Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women created a document that remembers and honours the eight women who lost their lives to male violence since 1989. Using court records and media reports, the document describes the circumstances surrounding these eight murders in order to dispel some myths about violence against women and gain knowledge to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Quebec
Are You Afraid of Your Partner? How to recognize a high-risk situation
This brief pamphlet was designed by the Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur la violence familiale et la violence faite aux femmes (CRI-VIFF) and the Fédération de ressources d'hébergement pour femmes violentées et en difficulté du Québec, in collaboration with the Women's centres of Montreal, Laval and Verdun, to help people recognize the warning signs for domestic homicide and protect potential victims.
Criminalité dans un contexte conjugal au Québec
This report describes domestic violence offences, including domestic homicide, in the province of Québec in 2011. The report is in French only.
Preventing Domestic Homicide of Women: An Intervention Guide
The overall purpose of 'Preventing Domestic Homicide of Women: An Intervention Guide' is to provide workers in community settings with improved assessment and intervention skills in order to prevent domestic homicides. This guide is based on information obtained from a research project, developed by the Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur la violence familiale et la violence faite aux femmes (CRI-VIFF), that examined how various types of service providers managed high-risk domestic violence cases. The Intervention Guide outlines strategies on how to manage high-risk cases and ultimately prevent domestic homicide. The guide is aimed at service providers, specifically shelter workers.
Saskatchewan
No documents currently available for this region
Northwest Territories
This report, released in 2011 by the NWT Coalition Against Family Violence, reflects on the progress made since the release of phase 1 and 2 of the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence. The report also identifies 19 recommendations for continuous improvement. The recommendations call for critical actions that will address gaps, shift attitudes, and enhance services in the area of family violence.
In October 2004, the Government of the Northwest Territories released their response to the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence (2003-2008) which describes the actions they intended to implement in response to the 25 recommendations made by the Coalition Against Family Violence to address family violence in the Northwest Territories.
NWT Action Plan on Family Violence: 2003 - 2008
In 2003, the Coalition Against Family Violence NWT developed the first action plan to address family violence, 'NWT Action Plan on Family Violence (2003-2008'). The action plan was based on recommendations from research and consultations with frontline workers, government departments, community groups and the RCMP. The plan outlines 25 recommendations in the following areas: policy and legislation; collaboration and cooperation; capacity building; training; prevention; education and awareness; services; and monitoring, evaluation and accountability.
NWT Family Violence Action Plan: Phase II (2007-2012)
In 2009, the Minister of Health and Social Services NWT released the report on the second phase of the NWT Family Violence Action Plan. The second phase of the action plan focused more on enhancing and expanding the range of supports available for families affected by family violence. The goals of the action plan are to: build a system that provides safety for those impacted by family violence; increase public awareness and attitudinal change about violence against vulnerable populations; expand the partnerships between those working to decrease incidents of family violence; improve legislation and policy; improve the quality and number of services available across the NWT; increase skills with professionals and volunteers; continue to support school based initiatives that promote healthy relationships; and improve and coordinate services to children and youth.
This report examines family violence and sexual assault offences in the territories by reviewing Crown Prosecutor files from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2004.
Yukon
The Domestic Violence Treatment Option (DVTO), Whitehorse, Yukon: Final Evaluation Report
This report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the process and outcomes of the implementation of the Domestic Violence Treatment Option (DVTO) in Whitehorse, Yukon. The DVTO program collaborates a therapeutic and intervention approach to domestic violence. The overall purpose of the report is to evaluate the effectiveness of the collaborative program in achieving its objectives, determine whether or not it is cost effective, and develop a method for replicating the program elsewhere in Canada.
Nunavut
Inuuqatigiitsiarniq Symposium Report, Iqaluit, Nunavut/January 17-20 2006
In January 2006, over 100 Nunavut community members met to discuss the issue of violence against women. During this symposium, 78 recommendations were made towards a strategy on violence prevention. This report provides an overview and details on these 78 recommendations.
This report examines family violence and sexual assault offenses in the territories by reviewing Crown Prosecutor files from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2004.
International
Australia
Domestic Violence Homicide Reviews: Preventable Deaths of Women in Australia
Women Everywhere Advocating Violence Elimination provided this PowerPoint presentation that describes the domestic homicide review process; the benefits of a domestic violence death review committee; and best practice principles for an effective review model.
Dying To Be Heard: Domestic and Family Violence Death Reviews Discussion Paper
Historically, most homicides in Australia that involved domestic violence were categorized into intimate partner and family relationship homicides. However, there are a number of homicides that are the result of domestic violence yet not categorized as such. These include new partners, friends, co-workers, or bystanders who were killed as the result of a domestic violence related incident. The purpose of this report is to analyze the broader context of domestic and family violence deaths.
Thinking about homicide risk: A practice framework for counselling
This paper was developed by Australia’s National Research Organization for Women’s Safety to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children, formally known as the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, to help counsellors assess and respond to the risk of lethality in the context of domestic violence with their clients. The paper proposes a framework comprised of four main system domains of which counsellors need to address: 1) the client system – gathering information about the woman, her partner, any children or other family members, extended relationships and the community and culture in which the family is involved and conducting risk assessment; 2) the therapeutic relationship – developing a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship with the client and continue ongoing assessment; 3) the organizational context – within this domain the organization ensures that it has done all that it can in order to prevent a domestic homicide (e.g., develop safety plans; provide training, staff development, supervision and consultation; develop policies and procedures that outlines the roles and responsibilities of staff and managers in identifying and preventing domestic violence); and 4) the system of services – developing relationships with the wider system of services that are able to provide clients and their families with support and safety (e.g., child protection services).
New Zealand
New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse Data Summary: Family Violence Deaths
This report provides a statistical summary of family violence related deaths in New Zealand between 2000 and 2006. However, the report also discusses the complexity of collecting such information, and the issues associated with estimating the number of family violence related deaths.
United States
Media Guide: Reporting on Domestic Violence Related Homicides
This guide was developed to assist reporters, copywriters, headline writers, and editors understand the dynamics of domestic violence and homicide in order to put domestic homicide in context for the public to underscore the health and safety aspects of this crime. The guide was developed by Jane Doe Inc. – The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
Men Who Murder Their Families: What the Research Tells Us
This report summarizes various research projects evaluating familicide. The report focuses on past behaviour as a predictor of future behaviour and identifies risk factors including heightened jealousy, access to weapons, and life circumstances that may influence the perpetrator’s actions.
Risk Factors for Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results From a Multisite Case Control Study
Research conducted by Campbell and colleagues (2003) analyzed potential risk factors of femicide for women in abusive relationships. The research used a sample of femicide victims, as well as a sample of abused women. The results concluded that there are a number of pre-incident factors that can increase a women’s risk of femicide. However, there were also a number of factors that could decrease a women’s risk.