Domestic violence treatment option

The domestic violence treatment option is an alternative court process which allows people who have used violence against a spouse to take responsibility for their behavior and receive support and counseling. The program is a response to the traditional justice process' inability to meaningfully reduce incidences of domestic violence through punitive measures, and provides opportunities for therapy and counseling that can reduce the risk of re-offending.

Special court sessions called Domestic Violence Treatment Option Court are scheduled for the program. When the police lay a charge involving domestic violence, the first hearing of the matter will automatically occur in one of these sessions. Crown and defense counsel can also recommend cases for referral to the program.

To be accepted into the program, the offender must accept responsibility for violence by pleading guilty before the court. The case will then be considered for acceptance subject to the agreement of both the crown and defense counsel, bail supervisors, and the treatment team assigned to the case.

Participants in the program complete eight sessions of treatment designed to address the emotional and psychological causes of domestic violence, and may access additional counseling to work on other factors impacting their relationships such as alcohol and drug addiction. The program participant may access some of the therapy options available as part of the Wellness Court process, which helps offenders with substance abuse and mental health problems.

Upon completion of the treatment program, the offender must still appear before the court for sentencing. The sentencing judge will often grant a reduced sentence after taking into consideration meaningful progress made by the offender towards developing healthier relationships by addressing the causes of and accepting responsibility for domestic violence.