September 25, 2007

VANCOUVER -- Attorney General Wally Oppal’s remarks in a letter to the World Journal newspaper show that he continues to be out of touch with the issue of domestic abuse, NDP MLAs Claire Trevena and Nicholas Simons said today.

Oppal wrote that B.C. has never had a zero tolerance policy on domestic violence.

“Sadly Attorney General Oppal is denying his government has made women and families less secure by cutting key supports,” said Trevena, NDP Critic for Women’s issues. “In 2002, the B.C. Liberals ended the zero-tolerance policy against domestic violence, which was an important legal safeguard for women. Its elimination left women without protection. To make matters worse, the government didn’t even monitor the impact of this change.”

In his letter, Oppal also refused to admit that the elimination of the Crown Victims Services program by the Campbell Liberals was a mistake, saying instead, “…we know this new approach is working because charge approvals and guilty verdicts remain stable.”

“Helping victims isn’t just about getting convictions, it’s about protecting families,” said Simons, NDP Critic for Children and Families. “The Crown Victim Services program was among the first cuts the Campbell government made, replacing it with a less effective and under-funded referral system.”

Under the Crown Victim Services program, if a husband was charged with intentionally injuring his wife, a victim services worker from the Crown Prosecutor’s office would ensure that the woman and her family had a plan to ensure their safety. They would assess the situation to ensure that no financial, cultural or geographical barriers prevented a family from getting help.

“Whether it’s denial or ignorance, Attorney General Oppal’s inaction will only hurt children and families,” said Simons.