Gatineau Police host inaugural domestic violence conference

Tashi Farmilo 

The Gatineau Police Department (SPVG) held its inaugural conference on domestic violence on 26 November 2024, at the Gatineau Cultural Centre, bringing together over 165 participants from law enforcement, healthcare, social services, and community organisations. The event, part of SPVG’s 2023-2026 action plan on domestic violence, focused on intersectionality—exploring how various factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and disability intersect to affect victims of domestic violence.

The event featured five expert-led sessions that explored the complexities of domestic violence, emphasising the importance of an inclusive, multi-disciplinary approach. Presenters highlighted the need for services that are not only effective but also equitable and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background.

Fourteen organisations, including Jeunesse Idem, UQAM, AGIR, Maison d'INGRID, and Maison L'Autre chez soi, set up information kiosks throughout the day, offering valuable resources to attendees. These organisations, along with community support groups, justice system representatives, and healthcare providers, all collaborated to create more inclusive service pathways for victims. The conference was financially supported by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (CISSSO), highlighting the importance of community collaboration in tackling the issue.

Keynote speakers included Mifaly Andriamady, training and strategic monitoring manager at AGIR Outaouais, and Denise Bugere, intervention coordinator at United-Towards-Women House. They addressed the unique challenges faced by victims, particularly how intersectionality impacts experiences of domestic violence. Andriamady said, “Applying the intersectional approach in our interventions requires an awareness of our individual role, followed by concrete actions to adapt structures and break down barriers within organisations.” Bugere added, “We must propose adapted and non-standardised solutions to better support each person in their unique experience.”

Simon Fournier, Director of the Gatineau Police Department, also emphasised the importance of inclusivity in domestic violence services, stating, “No one should be excluded from receiving high-quality, inclusive, and accessible services,” adding that it is important to continuously improve support services for victims.

The event also focused on the unique difficulties faced by immigrant communities, who often experience language barriers, fear of deportation, and a lack of awareness of available services. Experts called for more culturally sensitive approaches to ensure all victims, regardless of their background, can access the help they need. Amina Hufane, speaker responsible for the Workplaces Allied Against Domestic Violence component at Maison Unies-Vers-Femmes, said, “The obstacles faced by women with an immigrant background are numerous and complex, and we need to understand the specific realities they experience in order to offer them the appropriate support.”

Sessions on youth dating violence, such as those led by Pénélope Allard-Cobetto and Estelle Piché from UQAM, provided valuable tools for preventing intimate partner violence in adolescents and young adults through programs like Étincelles and Constellation. Allard-Cobetto said, “Youth dating violence is a public health issue, and it’s critical that we engage with adolescents and young adults to promote healthy relationships and prevent violence.”

Other presentations covered domestic violence among LGBTQ+ populations, with Sylvie Thibault, Professor and Director at Saint-Jérôme campus, addressing the specific health and service needs of LGBTQ+ individuals facing intimate partner violence. Thibault stated, “The lack of domestic violence services adapted to LGBTQ+ needs is a significant gap, and we need to work to close that gap by better equipping workers and creating tailored services for these populations.”