Domestic Violence Prevention and
Reduction in British Columbia
(2000 – 2010)
Katherine R. Rossiter, PhD (c)
December 2011
The Violence Reduction Circle
The Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Violence
Office of Applied Research, Justice Institute of British Columbia
cprv@jibc.ca

This report reviews domestic violence prevention and reduction initiatives in British
Columbia (BC), from 2000‐2010, and more recently. The review was undertaken to support
the work of the Violence Reduction Circle, a collaborative group of researchers, policy‐
makers, clinicians, and service providers, hosted by the Centre for the Prevention and
Reduction of Violence at the JIBC.
The review begins with a description of the process, which involved a comprehensive scan of
online sources and key informant interviews with academic and community‐based
researchers, policy‐makers, service providers, and advocates. The author then outlines the
various terms used to describe domestic violence against women, and justifies the use of this
term to reflect the language adopted in provincial policy without losing the gendered
language of feminist scholars. The report goes on to present the latest statistical data on
rates of domestic violence in Canada and British Columbia, before summarizing the health,
social, and economic costs of domestic violence against women, and the effects on children
who witness.
The review defines three levels of prevention strategies (primary, secondary, and tertiary),
which are conceived of as interdependent and mutually reinforcing strategies to prevent and
reduce violence against women, and increase the safety of women and children. The body of
the report reviews domestic violence prevention and reduction initiatives in BC over the past
decade, including relevant legislation and policy, training initiatives for service providers
across systems, and efforts to strengthen the community response to domestic violence,
including public awareness campaigns. The author makes the point that key decisions
pertaining to domestic violence legislation, policy, funding, and services are closely linked to
JIBC 2011

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Domestic Violence Prevention and Reduction in British Columbia (2000‐2010)

changes in government and high‐profile cases of domestic violence and domestic homicide
that serve to open policy windows.
A brief overview of government, police, and community‐based victim services and programs
for domestic violence perpetrators follows. The review then focuses on services and
prevention initiatives designed to meet the needs of specific populations of victims, namely:
Aboriginal women and girls; immigrant, refugee, and non‐status women; women in rural and
remote communities; persons within the lesbian, gay, bi‐sexual, transgender, or two‐spirit
(LGBTTS) community; and children and youth. Relevant national and international domestic
violence prevention programs and initiatives are identified, and the case is made for primary
prevention strategies that address the root causes of crime and promote strategic
investments in children and families.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Funding:
We would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by CPRV and the R. Howard
Webster Foundation.

About the Author:
Katherine R. Rossiter, PhD (c) Associate Director, The FREDA Centre for Research on Violence
Against Women and Children, Simon Fraser University

JIBC 2011

www.jibc.ca/research

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY