Released on April 23, 2015
The Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act will soon update protections and expand the ability of police to help victims of violence and abuse.“A lot has changed since Saskatchewan was the first province to introduce such legislation,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said. “This update was necessary to ensure police and the justice system continue to have the tools needed to protect those living with interpersonal violence.”
In 1994, Saskatchewan was the first province in Canada to introduce Victims of Domestic Violence legislation. The Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act replaces The Victims of Domestic Violence Act.
Changes found in The Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act include:
- Extending non-contact provisions to prohibit contact at the victim’s schools and workplaces in the case of an emergency intervention order;
- Adding harassment and deprivation of necessities as prohibited forms of interpersonal violence;
- Direction for a Justice of the Peace on certain matters that should or should not be taken into account when deciding whether to grant an emergency intervention order;
- Extending the scope of the Act to include care giving relationships regardless of cohabitation; and
- Modernizing the Act to include prohibitions on electronic communication between parties.
The ministry has also declared April 19-25 Victims of Crime Awareness Week in Saskatchewan to raise the provincial profile on services available to victims of crime.
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For more information, contact:
Jordan Jackle
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8621
Email: jordan.jackle@gov.sk.ca