EDMONTON – The Alberta government has announced it will extend a three-year pilot project intended to protect victims of domestic violence. The announcement comes just days after some expressed fears for their safety to Global News following the program’s end.
For three years, the provincial pilot project kept track of domestic violence offenders with GPS devices, which would alert RCMP if the offenders breached conditions.
One victim, who asked to remain anonymous, said the program had protected her for several months.
“It allowed me to have a safe zone around my home where he couldn’t come within 100 metres of my house,” she told Global News.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for Alberta Justice wouldn’t say if the program could be reinstated, but maintained it was never meant to be more than a three-year pilot project.
But by Monday, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis had the following to say in a statement online:
“After listening to the concerns of the women participating in the pilot project, I made the decision this weekend to extend the pilot project until after a review of the findings expected this summer.”
Ian Wheeliker, executive director of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter, tells Global News he’s thrilled. He found out the good news through a phone call from the minister’s office.
“The only reason we got the call today was because women courageously spoke up and their voice was heard — through you guys, thankfully,” he said.
“Congratulations and kudos to these women; took a lot of courage and they told a very compelling story, and they were heard.”
Wheeliker added that the plan right now is to extend the program for six months.
“That will give the government time to think about next steps; it’ll give us time to look at other factors around sustainability.”
The University of Calgary is also expected to submit a research report on the three-year pilot project to the province in June.
Wheeliker says the six-month extension will also give the government time to review that report.
With files from Laurel Clark and Quinn Ohler, Global News
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