Merritt murders prompt creation of BC domestic violence plan - Vancouver Sun

The plan includes training 20,000 people in recognizing and responding to domestic violence, Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux said Wednesday. She said the plan is a result of an investigation by B.C.'s independent children's representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond into the murders of the three children by their father, Allan Schoenborn.

Turpel-Lafond's report found the three children, Kaitlynne, 10; Max, 8; and Cordon, 5, could have been saved if B.C.'s social safety net had been working properly.

Premier Christy Clark stood in the legislature last March and formally apologized to the children's devastated mother, Darcie Clarke, saying the province can and must do better.

Cadieux said she believes the government's domestic violence plan offers improved protections for victims of family violence.

"We're certainly committed to improving the system that we have," she said. "It's unimaginable that any family should have to go through this, and we're committed to making sure that we act quickly and effectively in making sure that the system does act seamlessly."

The government announced last March the creation of its Domestic Violence Unit to demonstrate accountability and leadership in the area of domestic violence.

Schoenborn was found not criminally responsible for the murders because of a mental disorder. The unemployed labourer had been arrested and released three times in the week before the children's deaths and 14 professionals were involved with the family, said Turpel-Lafond's report.

Turpel-Lafond said Wednesday the government's domestic violence plan is a start, but she's concerned the province hasn't added new funding to the program. She said it appears financial pressures are restricting domestic violence programs.

Her 2009 report into the domestic violence death of six-year-old Christian Lee in September 2007 prompted the formation of a co-ordinated domestic violence police team in the Victoria area. Cost pressures have recently forced Victoria police to reduce their participation in the unit, she said.

In the Christian Lee tragedy, the boy's father, Peter, murdered his wife, her parents and his son, before killing himself in the family's suburban Victoria home in Oak Bay.

Turpel-Lafond's report into Christian Lee's death said the murder was a disturbing example of B.C.'s lack of co-ordination and communication in domestic violence cases.

The report stated that in the six weeks before the murders, the boy and his family members were touched by numerous public service providers, including two municipal police departments, an RCMP detachment, the Ministry of Children and Family Development social workers, medical staff, Crown counsel, two therapists and several lawyers.