Quebec adopts ankle monitor system to protect domestic violence victims
Quebec has become the first jurisdiction in Canada to adopt monitoring devices to protect victims of conjugal violence.
The program was first announced in late 2021 and is set to roll out into every region in the province by the end of 2023.
The device works like this: the person charged or convicted of domestic violence is ordered by the court or jail authorities to put the electronic bracelet on their ankle.
A private security firm is then in charge of monitoring the wearer’s movements.
If they go within the perimeter of their victim, the victim gets notified on their phone. Police are then called to intervene.
“This is a revolution that we're putting in place with this bracelet,” said Quebec Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault.
That “revolution” is coming in response to growing pressure from victims of domestic violence who say they don't feel safe knowing that their ex-partner can get close to them once they’re released from jail. In the last year alone, there were 26 femicide victims in Quebec.
“It is definitely a help,” said Amy Kaufman, a survivor of conjugal abuse. She welcomed the use of the device as an additional way to protect other victims.
“When I left, [I was] told to put safety measures in place,” she said. “I had to pay for them.”
“I put video cameras outside my house, paid someone to sleep overnight, put in alarm systems, panic buttons -- so at least this does help.”
Victims will have to agree to take part in the program. Guilbault said the bracelets will go a long way in reassuring women of their own safety.
“We had to take concrete actions to make sure we increase the security and the peace of mind of those women who are victims of domestic violence,” she told reporters.
However, Kaufman expressed worry that the device can only do so much to protect people from their abusers.
“I think it gives a sense of security, but I worry it could be a false sense of security; knowing there are some perpetrators who are not guided by the rules from judges,” she said.
In the coming months, 500 devices will be rolled out across Quebec, with a shipment arriving in Montreal in the spring.
SUPPORT NETWORK
Victims of domestic violence can contact SOS violence conjugale at 1-800-363-9010.
Other resources:
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
'Wild, wild west.' Families say organs of deceased Alabama inmates have been removed without their consent
The state Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama at Birmingham face disturbing allegations from the families of five inmates whose organs were removed and reportedly kept without consent, according to a series of lawsuits.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed from Trump hush money trial as prosecutors seek to hold former president in contempt
A juror in Donald Trump's hush money trial was dismissed Thursday after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair and impartial, and the status of a second New Yorker picked for the panel was in limbo amid concerns that some of his answers in court may not have been accurate.