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Friday October 13,2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 3 Program aimed at protecting against domestic violence By Kathy Yanchus SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Halton women at high risk for domestic violence have been empowered with a new sense of security thanks to a proactive three-way partnership. DVERS, or Domestic Violence Emergency Response System, allows individuals whose lives are threatened, to immediately alert police by simply pressing a silent alarm. The portable alarms are monitored 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Once the police have been summoned, the perpetrator is arrested and charged. Oakville becom es the 35th community across Canada to par ticipate in the program , which makes state-of-the-art security systems available to high risk fam ilies, thanks to an innovative part nership between ADT Security Services Canada Inc., Halton Regional Police Service and Halton Women's Place. DVERS participants must meet certain eligibility criteria: They must have filed complaints of physical violence or threats o f physical violence against an indi vidual with the police, and be at high risk o f becoming a victim again. Participants must also be separated from their accused and not planning to reconcile at the time of application. All three parties involved in the recent launch of the DVERS pro gram, were excited about the prospect o f giving victims of domestic violence, a renewed sense of security. Battling this social ill is a "high priority" for Halton police, said Halton Regional Chief of Police S y ste m p e r m it s v ic t im s t o n o t if y if Peggy Russell is the founder o f the Halton Parent M entoring A ssociation and a su r vivor o f dom estic vio lence. DVERS program sends m essage that dom estic violence w on't be tolerated. Photo by Barrie Erskine p o l i c e v ia s i l e n t a l a r m th e y fe e l th re a te n e d Ean Algar, adding that DVERS will act as a deterrent to would-be provides for a "healthier communi abusers." ty" and a community more respon The program sends a critical sive to domestic abuse. message to perpetrators that this The statistics are frightening, type of behaviour will no longer be with more assaults already this tolerated, said Peggy Russell, year in Halton than reported all of founder of the Halton Parent last year. A total of 158 assaults Mentoring Association, a survivor were documented in Halton of domestic violence and an advo Region in 1999 and to date in cate against it. 2000, there have been 165. Sexual "I am proud to be a member of offences have also increased by a community which has this pro 19.7% over last year. gram," said Russell. The DVERS program is needed Several dozen arrests have been to combat violence in our society, attributed to the DVERS program commented Theresa Greer, execu said Stephen Millen, direc All Coffee, End & tive-director of Halton Women's tor of marketing and pub Sofa tables On Sale Place. lic relations for ADT `T h is is a demonstration of Security Services Canada what is good and healthy in our Inc. community," she said. "It's recog "Domestic violence is a nition that many families live in very serious problem in less than ideal situations. Domestic Canada and unfortunately assaults are violence is a community problem spousal that requires a community increasing," said Millen. response." ADT is responding so The DVERS program will give that those at greatest risk victims some security while striv get the help they need, he ing to go on with their lives, added said. Greer. "ADT is in the business DVERs is a North-America- of protecting people and wide response system currently this is just a natural exten employed in 160 towns and cities sion of what we do," he across the United States, and first added. instigated in Winnipeg in 1991. Homes o f high risk "ADT has taken a strong initia families are outfitted and tive in the fight against domestic occupants trained at no violence by helping to focus wide cost, allowing families to spread attention on the issue," said gain some peace of mind Roy M aguire, president ADT and security which we all Security Services Canada Inc. "It is take for granted, said hoped that the DVERS program Mullen. -- J O S H U A CREEK T R A D I N G -- Bar F U R N IT U R E ·& H O M E D E C O R All Sofas, Bedroom Suites, Occasional lables & Accessories O N SALE NOW ! Sw . 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