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Court-mandated domestic abuse counselling backloggedBy Christina Commissocharged with domestic abuse dont finish abuse convictions have increased in the lastBrendan Crawley, spokesperson for theMetroland West Media Groupthe court-mandated counselling before their few years, which she said could be traced toMinistry of the Attorney General, said theprobation period is over. Consequently, the inception of Halton polices domesticProvince is aware of the increased wait timesThe backlog for court-mandated domestic abuse coun-those individuals dont have to finish the violence investigation unit.in Milton and has responded with additionalselling in Milton is hitting the six-month mark, leaving program. Theyre getting better and better at inves-funding to BCFS the last couple of years.victims of abuse vulnerable while their partners wait for He may get off the hook, and thats not tigating the charges and theyre (the charges)Crawley said he expects the extra fundinghelp.the intention of the courts at all.more likely to be upheld in the courtsthefor further group counselling to be availableWhen theres a stall I would suggest theres an Jewett said the number of domestic findings of guilt are fairly high.for 2011-12.increased risk to women and children, the victims of abuse, and the men may not be held accountable. And thats the exact opposite message we are trying to send, said Susan Jewett, executive director of BurlingtonCounselling and Family Services (BCFS).The agency receives funding from the Ministry of the Attorney General to administer Haltons Partner Abuse Response Program 16-week group counselling which Jewett said is almost always mandated to those found guilty of domestic abuse.BCFS runs 12 domestic abuse programs a year, three in Milton and nine in Burlington. Both municipalities have wait lists for the programs, between two and three months in Burlington. But the population growth in Halton, particularly in Milton, is causing the wait lists to grow.Jewett said funding from the ministry has remained stagnate.Twelve groups a year does not reflect the change in the community in Halton. With a growing community, comes increased need, and domestic violence crosses all parts of a community.For the past two years, BCFS has received additional one-time funding of $58,000 a year, on top of its regular $174,000 funding from the ministry, to provide four more counselling groups. But Jewett estimated BCFS couldeasily fill 18 groups of 20 individuals in the partner abuse program yearly.While those convicted of domestic abuse typically men, according to Jewett attend counselling, the pro-gram provides support and outreach to the victims of abuse, often women and their children. However, the outreach doesnt begin until the counselling begins.Men are waiting months and months to enter theprogram, and no one is helping her, making sure shes safe and the kids are safe. Jewett said the long wait times can mean those Experience The Great Outdoors! MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTSwww.cobblestonembers.ca 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-206617 Wednesday, April 27, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com