February 24, 2006
Stalking victims and vulnerable family members, such as seniors and individuals with disabilities will receive better protection under amendments to the Protection Against Family Violence Act.
If passed, the proposed changes will add stalking to the definition of family violence. This will help protect those who have left violent relationships. Alberta is only the second jurisdiction in Canada to make this change.
A more comprehensive explanation of family violence will also give caseworkers, police and judges an increased understanding of the dynamics of family violence, and help them make more informed decisions about Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs).
Under the proposed legislation, EPOs can be granted, even if the offenders say they did not mean to hurt anyone.
In order to ensure that an abusive parent does not need to be consulted about whether a child receives counselling, the amendments also propose that children in need of counselling only need the consent of one guardian.
The amendments also protect vulnerable people who are being abused by a family member that does not live with them.
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