ListenBC
Action needed on violence
I n recent years, both mental illness and domestic violence have received unprecedented attention. But attention is not action, as the recent report by B.C. Representative for Children and Youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond makes clear.
Turpel-Lafond's report follows her investigation into the deaths of Kaitlynne, Max and Cordon Schoenborn, who were killed by their mentally ill father Allan in April 2008.
We see a situation involving a man with untreated mental illness spiralling out of control, and his wife, who was subject to domestic violence, seeking to protect herself and her children with virtually no assistance from government agencies. This reveals that for all our talk about mental illness and domestic violence in recent years, we still have a long way to go in taking such matters seriously.
While many government agencies had contact with the family, they often seemed unaware of each other's involvement.
Turpel-Lafond made two major recommendations designed to repair these flaws. First, she recommended that the government ensure staff understand the risks associated with untreated parental mental illness. Second, she recommended the government make a serious commitment to protect children involved in domestic violence.
The government has made a promising start. But it must be followed by many other concrete developments, and not just empty promises, as has happened far too often in the past.
News item
27 March 2012
