Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 04/05) - Dozens of women have escaped abusive relationships since the territorial government introduced a law to short-circuit family violence, according to a report released last week.

Northwest Territories courts granted 45 protection orders between April and October, nearly twice what justice officials forecast. The orders, issued under the Protection Against Family Violence Act, can ban suspected abusers from the family home and give victims sole use of vehicles and other shared assets.

The response was welcome news to police and shelter workers who believe the law will help reduce domestic abuse in the Northwest Territories. The rate of family violence here is nearly seven times the national average.

"For some women, it takes 10 (incidents of abuse) before they leave," said Jennifer Grant, a family violence counsellor at the Alison Mcateer House.

"But even if they decide to stay, these orders send a strong message to their partner that something has to change."

The protection orders, which last for up to 90 days, can be granted within minutes over the phone. The suspected abuser does not normally attend the hearing and will not necessarily face criminal charges.

Shelter workers like Grant have become front-line advocates for women looking to use the new act. The Alison Mcateer House fields about five calls per week and arranges tele-conferences with justices of the peace who issue the civil orders.

"There is definitely a need for it," she said.

The typical victim is a woman in a long-term relationship with several children, according to a recent report from the territorial Justice department.

At least two men have received the orders however, Grant said.

Justice minister Brendan Bell was surprised with the number of applications, which totalled 53 from April to October, the highest per-capita rate in Canada.

"It is a clear indication that family violence is an ongoing problem in the Northwest Territories," Bell said.

Police believe the new law will eventually lower domestic violence rates, but it will likely be months before statistics are available. "We have seen positive results," said RCMP Sgt. Darcy Fleury.

"Some people, who in the past have not taken action, have now come forward," he said.