To combat Saskatchewan’s high violence rates, the province declared Oct. 27 to 31 as the first Violence Prevention Week in Saskatchewan.
“I think Violence Prevention Week will bring public awareness and attention to violence and make people realize that it’s everyone’s responsibility,” said Betty Ann Pottruff, Council for Children with the Ministry of Justice. “We need to start having a more public discussion on how to deal with it.”
To support these efforts, the provincial government has already begun making changes, such as changing The Victims of Domestic Violence Act to The Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act; extending coverage of the type of violence prohibited by the Act; beginning a pilot project in Regina to expand reporting options; and making the CellArm Program available in all areas of Saskatchewan.
The purpose of these changes is to make people realize that violence between couples isn’t the only kind and there’s more to be dealt with. According to Pottruff, it can include a wide range, such as between people who are dating, child abuse, and elder abuse. Moreover, abuse itself can come in many different forms, not the least of which is deprivation of basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.
“These changes are a recognition that violence is interpersonal. It’s a recognition that we’re no longer talking about just domestic because it can be seen as a narrow term,” said Pottruff. “People need to understand that violence doesn’t have to happen. It’s everyone’s responsibility to intervene if they see or suspect violence to be happening, not just be a spectator.”
Unfortunately, Saskatchewan is currently leading the country with the highest rates of violence. According to Pottruff, this can be due to a range of factors such as alcohol, family dysfunction, and mental health issues. Many people see violence as a solution because they don’t know any other way.
Moreover, the province also has to deal with the dark legacy left behind because of residential schools and decades of social problems being allowed to continue in the aboriginal community.
“Violence is something that is learned. If someone grows up in a violent situation, they themselves become victims or perpetrators because that’s what they’ve seen,” said Pottruff. “People need to understand that violence doesn’t have to happen. There can be a solution and better ways to interact.”
With regards to amendments the province is attempting to make, there will be more extensive provisions to protect victims in cases of emergency intervention orders. There will also be an expansion regarding what should be considered for emergency intervention, as opposed to only immediate physical harm. Furthermore, the Act will be modernized to include electronic contact and its scope will be developed “to include caregiving relationships regardless of cohabitation,” said the government news release.
“I think one of the biggest challenges is that sometimes people think there isn’t anything they can do,” said Pottruff. “(These changes) will provide some guidance for how they should deal with the situation and how they can help to create a better response.”
