Area agencies sign domestic violence protocol

NEWS RELEASE

THE ALGOMA COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

************************* The completion and final signing of The Community Response Protocol for Domestic Violence for Sault Ste. Marie

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Algoma Council on Domestic Violence has facilitated this collaboration of the area services and agencies whose mandates specifically address safety and emergency services as well as early intervention services to victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

The community response protocol gives voice to the dedication of the 15 partner agencies to work cooperatively and diligently together to respond to the needs of victims/survivors of domestic violence and their perpetrators.

It is recognition of the principles of practice that they share and that only through such a united response will all aspects of the problem be appropriately served.

This collaboration in no way diminishes or negates the importance of the dedication and work of the numerous other agencies, services and individuals who tirelessly provide expert, hands-on assistance throughout our community every day.

Combating the multiple effects of domestic violence in our communities requires everyone's diligence, understanding and compassion.

Signatory partners to the protocol are: Algoma Family Services; Sault Ste. Marie Police Service; Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police; Anishinabek Police Services; Probation and Parole Services; Algoma Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service (VCARS); Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP); Batchewana Police Service; Sault Ste. Marie Social Housing, Centre Victoria pour femmes; Nimkii-Naabkawagan Family Crisis Shelter; the Crown Attorney's Office; Sault Area Hospital Sexual Assault Care Centre/Partner Assault Clinic; Children's Aid Society of Algoma; and Women In Crisis (Algoma) Inc.

The signing of the protocol took place today following a brief meeting and luncheon at the Bay East meeting room of the Quality Inn.

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