Thursday, January 30, 2003

QUIET NIGHT
Sault Ste. Marie

The Sault detachment of the O.P.P. had a very quiet twenty-four hours and has nothing to report.

Senior Constable Bill Mackan has the following information for you concerning domestic violence:


YOU ARE NO ONE'S PUNCHING BAG-WE WILL HELP
Sault Ste Marie, Ont.,

The trends, habits and acceptance that we allow in our society and police community are changing daily. Throughout the years, the policing industry has been there to assist and learn through consultation with the community, each other and victims of crime.

Domestic violence was once a nightmare that victims and their families suffered with for entire life times. You the public, our governments and the policing community have been working together to change the lifestyle and horrendous living conditions that a battered spouse and all families members have to deal with when someone feels trapped and stuck in an abusive relationship.

Police across this province have been taking a proactive approach to domestic violence for many years. We have come a long way in our approach and handling of domestic violence reports and we will continue our learning process to better assist anyone of any age or sex that we find is a victim. All police services across Ontario are mandated to lay charges in all cases of domestic violence even when a victim does not or is reluctant to have charges laid.

We now have community sponsored safe havens for abused spouses and their children in all parts of Ontario. In the Sault Ste Marie area, victims of domestic violence and the police services of Algoma are fortunate to have the Women in Crisis facility, where abused women can find safe and secure refuge.

Sault Ste Marie will soon have its own court room and crown attorney dedicated solely to prosecuting domestic violence cases. In cooperation with the court system we now are able to offer a Victim/Witness Assistance Program for victims and witnesses to domestic violence.

Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service has been actively assisting many people who found themselves traumatized by abusive partners. Police agencies across Algoma have been able to access V.C.A.R.S 24 hours a day seven days a week every day of the year when they come in contact with any victims of violence.

Our communities groups, our government and the police have been working together in an attempt to bring awareness of the terror of domestic violence to the rest of us who have not had to suffer through years of intimidation, physical abuse and emotional suffering.

Your first step to help any victim of domestic violence is to try to get them assistance to get out. Call any police agency yourself or convince any victim to call the police. Offer reassurance and safety to a victim. Call Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service. Take the victim and her family to the Women in Crisis. Doing nothing have proven to be fatal for many a spouse and a child across this province.

Through consultation with many members of the community, the policing community has learned how to respond to these situations in a more caring and highly proactive manner. We will continue to listen to our community and victims groups to improve our response to domestic violence victims.

You don't deserve to be anyone's "punching bag". One call could literally make the difference between life and death-YOURS!!