Abby Police call for better agency integration to prevent domestic violence

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ABBOTSFORD (NEWS1130) – After six deaths related to domestic violence in the last six weeks in the Lower Mainland, many seem to be questioning what can be done to prevent it in the future.

Detective Kevin Murray with the Abbotsford Police Domestic Violence Unit says better integration amongst agencies is needed to make sure abusers aren’t falling through the cracks. “[We need to make] sure that what the police know, Victim Services know; what Victim Services know, MCFD knows; what they know, Income Assistance knows.”

“[We need to make] that we are all on the same page, policy-wise, that we’re all having best practices in place, and we’re able to discuss cases… of concern to make sure that the same message is being conveyed to these individuals who are at risk of domestic violence, in different voices and in a different approach.”

“Their case loads can get tapped out. The problem with that is if you have a large case load, you are not on top of all the people that you’re trying to help. That’s where people can slip through the cracks. And it’s the people that slip through the cracks that are causing problems for us today,” he adds.

He says more integration would allow groups like Victim Services and the Ministry of Children and Families to continue to follow through.

However, Murray feels police response to domestic violence cases is much better than it was 10 years ago.

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