In less than five weeks, a third woman was murdered in a context of domestic violence in Quebec, which brings to eight the number of feminicides since the beginning of the year.
It is therefore with consternation that we observe every day the absence of this major theme in the electoral campaign. Has it become normal for a woman to die because she has decided to end a romantic relationship? Have we put everything in place to protect women and children who are victims of domestic violence?
It is true that the major advances of the past two years should be highlighted, and we recognize the historical cross-partisan involvement in better support for victims of domestic and sexual violence in recent years. However, as we can see in the most recent feminicide, the victim, Gisèle Betondi, acquired the resources in place to equip herself with protection mechanisms and filed a complaint with the police authorities.
However, persistent shortcomings with respect to the analysis of the dangerousness of the spouse at the time of release and the implementation of coherent protection mechanisms, such as the anti-reconciliation bracelet, failed to the detriment of Ms.me Betondi and his three children, who witnessed their mother’s homicide.
The indignation must not cease in the face of feminicides. On the contrary, it must feed the will to move forward with the recommendations of the Rebuilding Trust report, which can only be implemented through active collaboration between the various players concerned, supported by an appropriate coordination body. It’s time to acquire substantial means to address the magnitude of the work to be done!
We invite future elected officials to reiterate their commitment to the Rebuilding Trust report and to promote the implementation of key recommendations, particularly those aimed at setting up a coordinating body. This coordination body would make it possible to address several recommendations deserving much more sustained attention, particularly with regard to the supervision and evaluation of groups for violent spouses, or to guarantee an adequate understanding of post-separation domestic violence. within the judiciary and the police.
As the latest femicide sadly illustrates, residential stability for female victims of domestic violence is a key element in the prevention of femicide. If the safety of women and their children in emergency and second stage shelters is a priority and must be supported by a consolidation of the program axes specific to shelters in the housing services of the government, it is not a silver bullet or a lasting solution either.
Faced with situations of no choice in finding affordable housing adapted to her needs and those of her children, a woman victim of domestic violence faces increased complexity in getting out of her violent environment. All of the socio-legal and political players must unite and recognize the extent of the housing crisis currently raging in Quebec. Without access to affordable housing for themselves and their children, women will continue to be forced into inadequate housing when they need stability and safety the most.
Finally, it goes without saying that, particularly after the high number of feminicides we have experienced over the past two years, gender equality issues should be considered as a national priority for the next government.
This is why we believe that essential change is necessary, and we call on the various parties to commit to the creation of a Ministry of Women’s Rights and Equality with the structure, personnel, resources and the platform needed to carry out its mandate, compared to the secretariat for the status of women, which has historically seen its decision-making levers limited.