73 FAMILY VIOLENCE AWARENESS Specialized domestic violence court now up and running in P.E.I. continued Different types of violence Domestic violence can involve physical attacks, but it can also be mental manipulation, financial restrictions or any kind of controlling behaviour. "We may also see people who engage in coercive behaviours, more controlling behaviours. There may have been emergency protection orders in place or stay-away orders... It might not always be physical violence," said Flynn. Calling this a "therapeutic" court reflects that it's designed with simplified proceedings, provides more support for victims, and gets the offender to take responsibility and consent to participate in whatever interventions may be needed. "Not everybody is going to be suitable," said Flynn. "This isn't for every person, and the obligations on the accused are significant." 'PEI one of the last to get it' Mary Aspinall worked as a front-line victim services worker in the past, and has also done extensive research on the domestic violence court model. She said it's good to see P.E.I. adopt it. "I'm really glad to see this is progressing. It's one of the last provinces to have a specialized court," said Aspinall, an assistant professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University in Fredericton. Aspinall said criminal courts were not typically dealing with the root causes and underlying issues involved in domestic violence cases. "The development of the domestic violence court was to really take a more holistic approach," she said. "There needs to be that early intervention for offenders, that there's access to rehabilitation... as well as considering victim safety." Aspinall said domestic violence is a "huge problem" that affects many people throughout Canada, and a court that allows for more communication and collaboration with community services and other agencies has the potential to make a difference in P.E.I. She pointed out that going through the programming requires a high level of commitment, and it can be harder than just being sentenced in a normal court. "This is not the easy way out," she stressed. "There is a lot of work that goes into this. "While they are going through these interventions and treatments, they are being monitored and they are being surpervised. They are held accountable." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edwardisland/pei-domestic-violence-abuse -courts-legal-justice-1.7247332 Bobbi Jo Flynn is the director of policy, planning and intergovernmental relations with the P.E.I. Department of Justice and Public Safety. (Laura Meader/CBC) Mary Aspinall is an assistant professor in the department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick. She has also worked in the domestic violence court system inWestern Canada. (submitted)
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