Yellowknife (Nov 05/04) - The Status of Women Council of the NWT has come out swinging with a scathing review of the GNWT's response to the Family Violence Action Plan.

Completed in 2003, the action plan was drafted to help the GNWT implement its Protection Against Family Violence Act, expected to take effect in 2005.

Calling the government's response misguided and inadequate, the organization feels that three years of work and research has fallen on deaf ears.

"To have this kind of very weak response from the government was very disappointing," said Lynn Brooks, Council director.

At the top of the Council's list of complaints is what it claims is the government's misunderstood attempt to "piggy back" family violence on to the issues of alcoholism, mental health and children with disabilities.

"We've known for years that family violence is not linked to alcohol," Brooks said, noting the high rates of spousal abuse in some religious cultures where alcohol is forbidden.

"It's a power and control issue, it's not an alcohol issue," she said.

Lumping the issues together may be a cost-saving measure or a way to work within an integrated services model, Brooks said. But that ignores specific problems faced by children with disabilities or those with mental health issues.

A lack of funding beyond 2005, no actions beyond 2006, inadequate educational programs and training for front line workers, and the need for greater sensitivity to the broader context of violence rounded out the Council's concerns.

Minister's response

Charles Dent, minister responsible for the Status of Women, responded to the criticisms saying the passing of the act had been a priority of his, and the government recognized the need for action.

Ongoing funds for training and orientation would have to be found, he said, but the government only commits money year by year for any initiative.

He noted that $400,000 of new monies had been made available to train front line workers, and perhaps the Council was unaware of how the GNWT was working with the criticisms provided.

"I suspect that if I work through some of this with the Council that they may find that we're not as far off as they thought we were in some areas."

Council's response approved

Barb Hood, executive director of the NWT Senior's Society, applauded the Status of Women Council's response to the GNWT.

It's imperative that front line workers receive the training and education required, she explained -- particularly in regards to the seniors she represents.

Some aspects of the GNWT's response did, however, draw praise from the Council.

A dedicated crisis line operating 24/7 will be set up and new measures will be taken for data collection and monitoring.

The GNWT will also continue to provide meeting space and operational help for the Council Against Family Violence, along with maintained support for counselling, school curricula, and the work of the housing authorities to identify availability for community plans.

Dent said in tough fiscal times, money for important initiatives is hard to come by.

"I would dearly love to be able to say we've been able to find a great big pocket full of money to put into this," said Dent.