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Amanda Stephenson
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Society’s attitudes about domestic
abuse have changed dramatically over the last few decades, and
nowhere is this as apparent as in the changing response of law
enforcement. Domestic abuse was once a crime that was able to keep
a low profile because it happened “behind closed doors”
— today, however, it is a top priority for police agencies
across North America.
“Domestic violence is a very high
priority, especially in Alberta, because we have one of the highest
rates in Canada,” says Cpl. Sandra Sutherland-Byers of the
Brooks RCMP, which has been pushing to raise awareness about this
issue for Family Violence Prevention Month this November.
Sutherland-Byers says police agencies have
made great strides in recent years when it comes to prevention and
enforcement of family violence crimes. They have been spurred on in
part by media coverage of high-profile cases from across North
America.
“As we gain more knowledge and get
more understanding about domestic violence, we respond to it in
different ways,” Sutherland-Byers says.
Earlier this year, a new province-wide
RCMP specialized unit called the Alberta Relationship Threat
Assessment and Management Initiative (ARTAMI) came into being.
ARTAMI is composed of a team of highly-skilled and trained police
officers, prosecutors, family lawyers, victim safety experts, child
protection services workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. It
is the first threat assessment unit in Canada to provide a
multi-disciplined approach to reducing and preventing relationship
violence and stalking and it is available to assist police on cases
anywhere in the province.
For several years now, it has also been
mandatory for all RCMP officers to take specialized training in
family violence response. Most larger detachments, such as the
Brooks detachment, also have a Victims Services Unit on-site.
Sutherland-Byers says that as an RCMP
officer, the challenge is convincing people they need to speak out
about domestic abuse.
“We’re trying to encourage
people that if you hear shouting in the apartment next to you and
you think someone is being abused, call the police,” she
says. “Talk to the person you think is the victim. Call a
help line.”
Sutherland-Byers adds RCMP will often
provide suspected victims who don’t want to press charges
with resources where they can seek help, such as the Cantara Safe
House in Brooks. They also refer people to the toll-free Family
Violence Information Line at 310-1818.
“It’s important for people to
know we (the RCMP) don’t have to be involved,” she
says. “It can be completely anonymous.” |
