Quebec's new domestic violence plan doesn't go far enough, advocate says

The Quebec government has detailed its new$600-million action plan to counter domestic violence over the next five years across the province.

Unveiled Friday, the plan includes increased funding for women's shelters, improved police training, more Crown prosecutors devoted to the issueand efforts to raise public awareness.

However, a domestic violence advocacy group says the province's plan falls short.

"It looks like it's a lot of money, but there's only $86 million in new money in this plan for five years," Louise Riendeau told CBC Montreal's Daybreak Monday. "It's around $17 million a year. It's not much."

Riendeau is the spokesperson for the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale, an association of Quebecwomen's shelters.

The group published an open letter this morning callingfor more investments tocombatan issue that impacts nearly 20,000Quebec women every year.

Riendeau commended certain aspects of the plan's 56 measures but, she said the group "would have liked to have stronger measures."

Shelters turn away 3,000 women a year

Domestic violence shelters are so full that approximately 3,000 women are turned away annually and are unable to receiveservices, said Riendeau.

In last week'sannouncement,HlneDavid, Quebec's Minister forthe Status of Women,said the new measures are intended to allow first- and second-stage shelters to respond to the complex realities faced by domestic violence victims, including women who live in remote communities and those with disabilities.

Second-stage shelters offer support to women rebuilding their lives and regaining their autonomy, Riendeau explained.

Those types of shelters didn't have funding before, she said, so having it now is "good news."

But there areonly about 100 first-stage shelters in the province for women seekingemergency help escapinga violent relationship and new shelters are needed.

"We discussed this with the government for at least one year, but there's no money in this plan to have those new places," Riendeausaid.

Better police training needed: Riendeau

The provincial plan includes two measures focused on improving police training, but Riendeau said she hoped to have something stronger in place.

"We need to be sure thatwhen the police have to intervene, they acknowledge the danger they believe the women," Riendeau said.

"Sometimes there's some harassment and the police say they cannot do anything."

With conjugal violence being such a serious issue across the province,"the resources will never be quite sufficient," said Liberal MNADavid Birnbaum.

However, he told Daybreakthe steps the province plans on taking will "go a long way."

'These are not negligible efforts,' Liberal MNA says

Birnbaum, who represents the D'Arcy McGee riding and works as David's parliamentary assistant, said the provincial plan was derived from discussions with about 192 groups that provide services to domestic violence victims.

The plan includes $57 million to supporting shelters overall, he said, and the province intends to scout for new shelter sites, as well.

Birnbaum said"every effort" is being made to increase the amount of shelters, but that's only one piece of a much larger picture.

Victims need to be protected, police have to be there to help, and boys need to be sensitized to what it means to be in a "safe and secure conjugal relationship,"Birnbaumsaid.

The new plan works to answerthat need, he said, while supportingimproved prosecution and rehabilitation efforts for offenders to prevent future acts of violence.

He said the aimis to create an environment that encourages more victims to come forward to seek help.

With the province investing millions of dollars ineducation and prevention, Birnbaum said"these are not negligible efforts."

"There are more that need to be taken. There's no doubt."