Red Deer Collaborative Court Project

Red Deer Collaborative Court Project

Background The Domestic Violence Collaborative Court Project (DVCCP) was developed through the Domestic Relationship Violence Initiative Committee when the Domestic Violence Court began in Red Deer in 2005.

Vision The Red Deer area is receiving a coordinated, effective and consistent response to domestic violence with strong mutually supportive and sustainable links among all applicable agencies and ministries.

Keys to our Success Decision makers at the table Regular monthly and weekly meetings High Risk cases Consistent Agenda Collaboration Wiser decisions More durable decisions Foster action Promotes change Builds social capital Foster ownership of problems and successes

Project Objectives To ensure safety of victims (adults and children). To increase victim participation and allow for victim input into the court process through enhanced support, involvement and information. To speed up the justice process by reducing delays in prosecution.

Project Objectives To consider rehabilitative sentencing options when appropriate. To enhance the existing court process and outcomes through increased information gathering, coordination, communication and case management between the key players

Action Plan Step One Educating victim to on-going risk management and ensuring that successful safety plans are in place for themselves and their families. Step Two Supporting and informing victims of violence, involved in legal proceedings concerning the justice system, their case, changes in the accuser s circumstances and their ability to have input into the case and its resolution. Information concerning the case outcome will be provided along with a safety plan review.

Action Plan Step Two Supporting and informing victims of violence, involved in legal proceedings concerning the justice system, their case, changes in the accuser s circumstances and their ability to have input into the case and its resolution.

Action Plan Step Three Providing on-going support to the victim, facilitating their active involvement in the court process, and communicating the victim s perspective to the court and a safety plan review. Step Four Providing referrals to victims as to available community resources for on-going support as needed and a safety plan review.

Action Plan Step Five Providing additional pertinent information to the court regarding the victim, the accused, history of abuse, safety concerns, family members, existing court orders, etc. as well as review of current safety plan. Step Six Coordinating of domestic violence cases through the Court Project Team using the case management model.

Project Components Social Worker with the Domestic Violence Unit of the RCMP (two positions) assists with file review and assessment of all domestic violence files, and identifies the high risk files that require follow-up by the DVU and low risk files referred to the Community Liaison Worker for follow up.

Project Components The Social Workers works closely with all the positions of the project to ensure that safety of the victim is the priority. The Social Workers refers individuals to DV support coordinator, Women s Emergency Shelter and other community resources where appropriate.

Project Components Domestic Violence Community Liaison Worker ( housed at RCMP) will enhance the ability of the Domestic Violence Unit to prioritize tasks and utilize specialized internal resources to focus on "high risk" files by providing immediate intervention.

Project Components Domestic Violence Community Liaison Worker ( housed at RCMP) will provide early Intervention for files deemed by the Manager of the Domestic Violence Unit and the Unit Social Worker to be low to moderate risk, where history may be limited and there is no immediate need for intervention based on available information. gives referrals to supportive resources which may alleviate concerns and reduce the likelihood of repeated police involvement.

Project Components Child and Family Services Authority Family Violence Case Worker receives referrals from RCMP screening for family violence provides initial screening for the Safe Visitation program

Project Components Domestic Violence Court Case Coordinator works directly with the Red Deer Crown Prosecutors office. coordinates and supports two court case workers who assist in client support and safety. coordinates and supports partner safety check program

Project Components The role of the Domestic Violence Court Case Coordinator is to enhance victim safety and participation in Domestic Violence Docket court through to trail is required, enhance offender accountability and assist with effective court resolutions by providing the Crown with information gathered from a variety of sources.

Project Components Domestic Violence Support Coordinator improve early intervention of families at risk of violence in the community and provide direct support, coordination of programs and services to meet victim s unique needs. The Support Coordinator works directly with the Domestic Violence Court Coordinator by coordinating community supports for individuals and their families.

Project Components Domestic Violence Support Coordinator works directly with the Domestic Violence Court Coordinator and Domestic Violence Unit by providing on going support and coordinating community supports for individuals and their families.

Project Components Domestic Violence Support Case Worker to assist the Domestic Violence Support Coordinator (DVSC) in providing on going support to individuals who are referred through the RCMP Domestic Violence Unit, Red Deer Victims Services Unit, Domestic Violence Court Case Coordinator the RCMP Domestic Violence Unit and the RCMP Domestic Violence Liaison Worker (for both charged and non-charged files)

Project Components Jim Freeman Psychotherapy Inc Treatment Program Victim Psychotherapy Group Assessment of services Partner Safety check in collaboration with the Women s Emergency Shelter Education 7-8 sessions Therapy up to 25 sessions

Project Components High Risk Case Conference involves a multi-disciplinary team (RCMP, Crown Prosecutors, Jim Freeman Psychotherapist Ltd., Court Project team, Probation, CFSA etc.) who have identified current files which are considered high risk for domestic violence.

Project Components Safe Visitation Program helps to protect children and families in situations where there is a high risk for family violence between parents. Safe Visitation provides an opportunity for children to visit with non-custodial parents in a safe and secure environment.

Project Components Monitored Exchange Program provides a safe, neutral, child-friendly setting for the purpose of transferring children between the custodial parent and non-custodial parent, where there is a history of family violence. The monitored exchange service provides supervision of a child's movement between the custodial and non-custodial parent immediately before and after unsupervised visitation.

New 2010 Project Components Increased Intensive Victim Supports Kid Power Support Group Additional funding to Victim Psychotherapy Group through Jim Freeman Psychotherapy Inc.

Funding Sources Alberta Health Services Alberta Justice - Safe Communities Initiative Alberta Solicitor General - Victims of Crime Fund Alberta Children & Youth Services Family Violence & Bullying Division Community Fundraising through non profit groups.

Central Alberta Women s Emergency Shelter To provide safe refuge for women and children, assisting people to achieve their full potential free from family violence

Police / RCMP Regular Officer response Domestic Violence Unit Social Worker Community Liaison Victim Services Unit Use of ARTAMI (Alberta Risk, Threat Assessment Management Information) Avg. 140 calls a month

Crown Prosecutors Office Designated Prosecutor prosecutor s responsibilities include determining appropriate charges, discussions with defense counsel, preparing witnesses for court, examination and cross-examination of witnesses and presenting arguments respecting conviction and sentence.

Solicitor General & Public Security Community Corrections Probation officers are the frontline of supervision and rehabilitative intervention for offenders in communities. Probation officers provide: Supervision to ensure offenders comply with the conditions of their court-ordered period of community supervision, ongoing assessment of the offender s risks and rehabilitative needs, and links for offenders to rehabilitative programs that provide the kind of targeted, professional support and assistance. 35% of all cases within the Red Deer Office are family violence related.

Future Developments Review of Protocols developed outlining agency roles Evaluation of current services realignment to meet client needs Adopting a similar model for family court Adopting a consistent danger assessment