When neighbors are asked about acts of violence by an intimate partner that end in murder next door, they sometimes say they “can’t believe it happened here,” said psychologist Dr. Peter Jaffe.
This sentiment underscores the need for more public education on domestic violence and its early warning flags, said Jaffe, one of several witnesses testifying during a medical examiner’s focus, focusing on one of the worst cases of violence by many partners in Canada.
The investigation in Pembroke, Ontario, examines the deaths of Carol Culton, Anastasia Cusick and Natalie Wormerdam on September 22, 2015, all of whom were killed by the same man they know in and around Renfrew County, west of Ottawa.
Vasil Borutski was convicted of three counts of murder in a trial and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 70 years.
Five jurors in the investigation have been asked to suggest specific ways in which survivors of domestic violence in rural communities can be better protected and supported in the future.
Jaffe, a recent director at the Center for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, reviewed nearly 10,000 documents on the killer’s case and testified to more than 100 options for intervention before the killing spree.
“The number of threats the perpetrator made … the number of people who were concerned about his risk and didn’t know what to do – I think this public education is essential.”
Jaffe said the Ontario government should broadcast advertisements for violence from intimate partners during widely watched events such as the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“Violence against women is still not a very popular issue. Nobody really wants to talk about it. And we don’t look at it as fully as we could and should,” he said.
At various points in the investigation, Jaffe and other experts suggested what the jury should ultimately recommend at the end of the three-week trial.
Apart from the ads, here are just four of the many other suggestions so far.
More supervision during probation
Jaffe said the Ontario Probation and Parole Service was probably more involved with the perpetrator than other agencies, but “without shame or guilt, I think [province] they could really improve their probation policies. “
“There needs to be more intensive supervision [including weekly check-ins]reporting or more frequent contact with the victim, “he said.
The triple killer was convicted of assaulting and attempting to strangle Kuzik the year before she was fatally shot and a life ban on weapons was imposed. He also violated his probation by not participating in a domestic violence response program, but was never charged with violating any of his conditions.
The man is struggling with mental health and pain management, which may have fed a drug supplement, Jaffe said.
“The perpetrators have many problems that require many solutions,” he said.
A probation and parole manager is scheduled to testify during the investigation next week.
Warning future victims through Clare’s law
Last year, Alberta was the second province to pass a law (named after the UK’s victim, Claire Wood), aimed at curbing domestic violence by allowing people to ask for information about their intimate partner.
Both Jaffe and Pamela Cross, a lawyer and advocate for women testifying on behalf of Renfrew County End of Violence, said Ontario should be the next province to accept it.
“This will allow someone to go to the local police station and ask for information about someone they are connected to,” she said, adding that it would be especially helpful for people meeting new partners.
The information could come from family court, criminal court and police files, she said.
Jaffe said Ontario has a commission that investigates domestic homicides and has learned about victims who have met their abusers through online dating websites.
“There is no regulation on these advance warning websites,” he said.
Stable funding for women’s shelters and support groups
Government funding for services for women and children has allowed shelters for victims of abuse to work “without constantly fighting for basic money to work,” Cross said.
But the investigation also heard that humanitarian groups are still struggling to get adequate funding.
There must be sustainable funding in Canada that recognizes the complexity of intimate partner violence, Cross said.
“Build enough money in funding organizations, large or small, to be accountable [back to grant providers] it doesn’t become a burdensome task that takes someone who has to sit with a woman, advise her or make a safety plan with her, “Cross said.
“That’s what my magic wand would do.”
WATCH The story behind the “magic wands” of the investigation:
WATCH: Joan Brooks of Renfrew County’s End Violence Against Women explains the magic wand some participants have in the coronation investigation into the murders of Anastasia Kuzik, Carol Culton and Natalie Wormerdam by the same perpetrator of intimate partner violence. pic.twitter.com/ykd6Q5KkHI
– @ gqinott
Better training for those dealing with victims
Prior to the 1980s, Canadian victims of intimate partner violence had to face charges. Since then, the police have been obliged to bring charges against the perpetrators if they believe they have reasonable grounds for doing so, the investigation said.
This change has some unintended consequences, Cross and Jaffe testify. Racist groups face discrimination, and some victims have been accused of confusing some scenes of domestic violence.
The case of the killer showed the need for the province to improve intimate partner violence training for all police officers, royal lawyers and probation officers, Xhafe wrote in his report to the investigation.
This training should emphasize that assessing someone’s risk of abuse is an ongoing process and should include victim safety planning.
The investigation found that in addition to having a panic button, Warmerdam kept a self-defense gun in her room.
“Police officers, crowns and probation clearly identified [the killer] as a high risk in the years before the killings, “Jaffe wrote.
“There were times when the level of risk was not in line with the level of safety planning and risk management that was needed in these very challenging circumstances.
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