Status of Women Supports Decision

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women supports the report released today by the Department of Justice. The report examined the response of the justice system into the deaths of Lori Lee Maxwell and Bruce Allen George in Truro last February.

"The council is fully supportive of the decision to further investigate this case with a view to identifying how community response to family violence can be strengthened," said Patricia Doyle-Bedwell, chair of the advisory council.

The council is calling for ongoing police training on appropriate and decisive intervention in situations of family violence. All incidents of family violence are serious, they escalate. The time after a woman leaves an abusive situation is the most dangerous for her.

"We are encouraged by the justice minister's re-commitment to a co-ordinated approach to family violence," said Ms. Doyle-Bedwell. "The prevention of family violence is the responsibility of the whole community. Better interagency co-ordination and, more importantly, collaboration, is of critical importance."

The advisory council suggests the Department of Justice involve groups such as transition houses, women's centres, and other community-based organizations throughout the province in its continued assessment. These organizations have more than 20 years of experience in addressing family violence.