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  • #16
    I also completely agree with Janus. Thank you for saying this.

    Abuse allegations should be a double-edged sword with serious consequences for both parties. This would deter false allegations and properly protect children in the case of proven allegations (especially with the changes to the Divorce Act). However, something like 50% of DV arrests result in the charges being withdrawn, normally with some sort of early intervention, like the PAR program. Peace bonds are also offered as a way to avoid a criminal record. To me, this is problematic because it doesn't clearly establish wrong-doing and uses the justice system to address social issues rather than punish and deter crime. Homicides of children have occurred in situations where the only history of DV was a peace bond. However, innocent people have also signed peace bonds as a way to get the charges withdrawn. Perhaps if we strengthened the criminal courts in this area, there would be less gray for the family courts.

    It's also important to remember that false allegations are not the same thing as unproven/unverified allegations. DV can be difficult to prove and we don't want to deter people from coming forward. If an allegation cannot be verified, then justice demands that it should have little to no weight, however this doesn't imply that the person making the allegation was lying.

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