It’s time to fight back

From Page 45

ings of helplessness or
powerlessness. They should
see they do have power and
it can be used responsibly.**
But she said it was difficult
to pigeonhole actual types
who might be inclined to
abuse their wives.

She said it is vital the
public attempts to unders-
tand why some women with
strong loyalties refuse to
leave abusive husbands:
“The miracle is that some of
them do leave,’’ said Nicar-
thy.

Bourne outlined the
Ministry of the Attorney-
General’s policy paper oa
wife assault, saying the
Paper’s main intent is to
stress the criminal nature of
the offence.

He said police have histor-
ically been encouraged to
direct victims and
perpetrators to take the con-
ciliation approach, however,
he said, “‘recent studies have
shown that rigorous en-
forcement of criminal law
has served to reduce violence
in the home.’’

He said the onus is now
on the Crown, not the vic-
tim, to lay charges against
the assaultive spouse, stress-
ing police are not responsible
for laying charges.

Bourne acknowledged
some deficiencies in the new
system, especially in training
the hundreds of personnnel
involved in. handling wife
assault. It could also be

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argued there are not enough
family court counsellors in
this area, said Bourne.
However, he said he was op-
timistic the new policy would
eventually work.

“Our biggest problem is
that many battered wives
change their minds and
withdraw their charges. If a
victim decides to do that,
they must tell the judge
themselves in court,’’ said
Bourne. ‘‘What we have to
get people to understand is
that the Jaw is a very Elunt
instrument in a domestic sit-

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Organizer Margaret Ram-
say called the two day con-
ference a success, saying it
produced ‘‘good dialogue”
between people in different
parts of the justice system.

She said some victims also
attended the Friday

workshops, although the day
RMRed been geared towards
professionals in the field.

“T wish there had been a
broader representation from
the medical and law profes-
sions. It's not just something
people in social services have
to attend to,”’ said Ramsay.

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51 - Wednesday, March 20, 1985 - North Shore News

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