Leaving violence

Province working with IRAC to help domestic violence victims, says Brown

The province is looking at how it can remove barriers for victims who are trapped in domestic violence situations.

Justice Minister Jordan Brown says his department is actively working with the Island Regulatory Appeals Commission (IRAC) to get a better understanding of how it can develop legislation to help those who are trying to leave domestic violence situations.

Brown made the statement while answering a question from Charlottetown-Lewis Point MLA Kathleen Casey, who asked if the province would consider amending legislation to allow victims to break a lease agreement.

Casey said while there are some families who are able to overcome domestic violence, there are many others who need more support.

“Sometimes external factors prevent people from leaving a violent situation,” said Casey. “(For example), if a person is bound by a lease agreement, moving becomes difficult.”

Brown said the province has been in contact with a director at IRAC to get a better understanding of what would be entailed in developing legislation that would allow domestic violence victims to break a lease.

“We’re going through a whole process to do that,” said Brown, noting that he also anticipated public meetings on the issue. “When we have draft legislation prepared, we would envision taking it to public consultations.”

Brown said he first and foremost urged those now in domestic violence situations to reach out to his department.

“Victim services in my justice department is a great place to start,” he said. “There are professionals there that have the training that’s required, and they also have networks they can contact such as Family Violence Prevention Services and Anderson House.”