News Releases

 FREDERICTON (GNB) – Implementation of measures under the Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Act will be supported by an investment of $900,000.

“Your government recognizes that safety for women, and for all New Brunswickers, is important for healthy families and communities,” said Justice and Public Safety Minister Denis Landry today during a visit to the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research. “This investment will support the implementation of a new framework to increase the safety of victims of intimate partner violence. The framework will provide new tools, in the form of short-term remedies, which can act as a first step towards more permanent solutions. This is another way we are working to protect those who are most vulnerable.”

The Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Act, tabled last winter, allows victims to apply to a designated official for an emergency order to obtain civil remedies to respond to their circumstances. These remedies may include the exclusive occupation of the residence, temporary possession of personal property, no-contact provisions, temporary custody of children, and seizure of weapons.

Landry said that new legislation, expected to be tabled this week, will create the role of the new officials who will be responsible for hearing applications for emergency intervention orders under the act. These officials, referred to as Emergency Adjudicative Officers, will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to hear applications.

“The creation of the role of the emergency adjudicative officer is vital to ensure we continue to deliver services that are crucial to those experiencing intimate partner violence,” said Landry.

“The provincial government is to be commended for confronting intimate partner violence,” said Linda Neilson of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre. “The act, once in force, will offer swift, new emergency remedies to families and children that were not available in this province before. It will be particularly helpful in cases where victims are reluctant to turn to the criminal justice system for help.”

November is Family Violence Prevention Month in New Brunswick. More information, including resources for victims and where to find help, is available online at gnb.ca/ViolencePrevention or the Love Shouldn’t Hurt web page.