FELDSTED: Deal with the realities or get out of town ... Victims of Domestic Violence Need Time to Regain a Sense of Personal Security and Self-Esteem

Liberals move to give survivors of domestic violence paid leave

The Liberal government is moving soon on its plan to give federally-regulated workers paid time off to deal with the trauma and turmoil of domestic violence.

Consultations with stakeholders, employers and unions will begin this fall on the proposed benefit, which will allow survivors 10 days off — five of them paid. It's meant to give people time to leave their abusive partners, deal with police, get medical treatment or seek legal advice.

About 900,000 employees in federally regulated private sector workplaces — such as banks, marine shipping, air and rail transportation and telecommunications — will be eligible for the new federal benefit.....

This imitative is disturbing. People suffering from domestic violence are victims, not survivors, which is why the transition from victim to survivor is the sticky part. 

Domestic violence occurs in all economic and social levels. Every sexual orientation is represented; heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, transgendered and other. People do not need to be married or co-habit to suffer domestic violence.

Providing time off, to leave an abusive situation, is like putting antiseptic cream on a gaping wound. It gives the appearance that federal employees and employees of federally regulated enterprises enjoy entitlements denied to other Canadians. That is inconsistent with government claims that it strongly supports gender and women’s rights.

Over the past three decades, we have had thousands of local non-profit agencies, dedicated to helping domestic violence, victims spring up.   Most of the staff and volunteers are recovered victims themselves, and know the need is staggering.

They are perpetually short of space, food, clothing, supplies and manpower.

They do not have the resources to help a victim to access skills, upgrading, or help with relocation costs that may be necessary to stop a cycle of violence.

They understand the immediate needs of someone fleeing abuse as governments never will.

Time off work is not a top priority for someone fearing loss of life -- or suffering abuse, assault and threats.  Victims need time to regain a sense of personal security, and self-esteem, which is compounded by the fact we do not have adequate counseling services available.  And, the problem is more acute in rural areas, and small centres, where a return to work (or continued residence) may involve re-exposure to the abuser.

Our government must enact legislation that makes violation of a protection order a serious crime, with serious consequences, but we have not even managed to do that.  Even then, protection orders will be useless unless we have police officers free to enforce them, and that is rare.

Grants to non-profits agencies, based on the number of adults and children they take in and support, would be a meaningful start. Adding grants for skills upgrading and relocation where necessary would help. And finally, efforts to provide victims of domestic violence, with access to trauma and psychological counseling, is urgently needed.  

It appears that domestic violence receives cursory attention, and political lip service, until someone is killed. Then we turn our attention to the accused. We have allowed this social infection to fester for far too long.

Proposing a consultation of people far removed from the front lines, in assisting victims of domestic violence, is an exercise of the incompetent undertaking the unnecessary.

Deal with the realities or get out of town.

John Feldsted

Political Consultant & Strategist

Winnipeg, Manitoba