Domestic violence and Collines-de-l'Outaouais public security: project helps improve cases

Sophie Demers 

Created by MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais Public Security Service, “MAINtenant ensemble” consists of putting together a multidisciplinary team that deals exclusively with domestic violence cases. The first six months of the project the team intervened with 69 victims, did 107 psychosocial follow-ups, 301 follow-ups with victims, and 108 follow-ups with partner organizations. The psychosocial follow-ups allowed the Collines-de-l'Outaouais Public Security Service to detect 20 intimate partner violence incidents that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. 

With a spike in domestic violence cases over the pandemic all across the country, the program is able to respond to an urgent need. 

Launched on November 25, 2021, the objective of the team is to centre victims of domestic violence and children in the procedures following an incident of domestic violence. The team also collaborates with local partners to support victims throughout the judicial procedure and the psychosocial effects. 

Charges were laid in 56 cases and 10 cases were referred to the partner organization “Donne-Toi Une Chance”. The organization offers physiological interventions for perpetrators of violence. Through partner organizations such as Donne-Toi Une Chance and Maison Libère-Elles, police officers were able to receive 58 hours of training to improve intervention skills in domestic violence situations. 

Maison Libère-Elles

Is a non-profit organization that aims to provide specialized assistance and shelter to women and children who are victims of violence. 

Phase two of “MAINtenant ensemble” started March 7. This phase implemented a 24/7 help line with mobile case workers from the Maison Libère-Elles. These case workers are able to go directly to the site and aid women and children experiencing domestic violence. They are responsible for psychosocial support for victims. This new phase allows the police and case workers to work together to protect victims. 

The Collines-de-l'Outaouais Public Security Service says that phase three of the project is currently in development and will address the prevention of intimate partner violence. It will aim to educate 800 elementary and high school students during the 2022-2023 school year. The program will be in collaboration with Maison Libère-Elles and the Directeur des Poursuites Criminelles et Pénales (DPCP).