Definitions of domestic homicide and the subsequent data collected shape our understandings of these deaths as well as policy and prevention efforts. The data collected depends on the thoroughness and cooperation of investigating police officers and coroners or medical examiners. In some cases, the only source of information is media reports and court judgments. This workshop will first explore issues that arise when defining domestic homicide in the context of our work with the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations (CDHPIVP) and how these considerations vary across the vulnerable populations examined. Second, we will discuss selected case studies to demonstrate what cases were included and excluded in our work, further illustrating various case characteristics that posed challenges for making such determinations. Third, we will provide a brief overview of trends and patterns in domestic homicide in Canada in general and across the four populations emphasizing the practical challenges and realities of collecting such data and for coordinating data collection efforts across the country. Finally, a moderated expert panel discussion will focus on key issues related to definitions and data for the four populations. 

Front-line professionals across multiple sectors play a critical role in responding to domestic violence disclosures. Their responses may involve risk assessment and safety planning for victims and risk management strategies with perpetrators. This workshop will outline some of the challenges and accomplishments in our research in completing a national survey of service providers and then in-depth interviews with key informants. Highlights of the major themes from this research will be presented including the results of the survey of 1,405 professional and 366 Key informant interviews. The themes include identifying appropriate risk assessment tools, a lack of training, resources, and collaboration across systems. Challenges are recognized in working with vulnerable communities and individuals. More detailed analyses are provided by sectors including the role of child protection, anti-violence against women services, police, and corrections in working with Indigenous communities, immigrant and refugee families, rural and remote communities and children exposed to domestic violence. A panel of service providers will reflect on the meaning of these research findings with their service sector, jurisdiction and populations served.