Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

The Gatineau Police Department (SPVG) held its inaugural conference on domestic violence on
November 26 at the Gatineau Cultural Centre, bringing together over 165 participants from law
enforcement, healthcare, social services, and community organizations. The event, part of
SPVG’s 2023-2026 action plan on domestic violence, focused on intersectionality—exploring
how various factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status and disability intersect to affect
victims of domestic violence.

The event featured five expert-led sessions that explored the complexities of domestic violence,
emphasizing the importance of an inclusive, multi-disciplinary approach. Presenters highlighted
the need for services that are not only effective but also equitable and accessible to all
individuals, regardless of their background.

Fourteen organizations, including Jeunesse Idem, UQAM, AGIR, Maison d’INGRID, and Maison
L’Autre Chez Soi, set up information kiosks throughout the day, offering valuable resources to
attendees. These organizations, along with community support groups, justice system
representatives, and healthcare providers, all collaborated to create more inclusive service
pathways for victims. The conference was financially supported by the Centre intégré de santé
et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), highlighting the importance of community
collaboration in tackling the issue.

Keynote speakers included Mifaly Andriamady, training and strategic monitoring manager at
AGIR Outaouais, and Denise Bugere, intervention coordinator at United-Towards-Women
House. They addressed the unique challenges faced by victims, particularly how
intersectionality impacts experiences of domestic violence. Andriamady said, “Applying the
intersectional approach in our interventions requires an awareness of our individual role,
followed by concrete actions to adapt structures and break down barriers within organizations.”
Bugere added, “We must propose adapted and non-standardized solutions to better support
each person in their unique experience.”

Simon Fournier, Director of the Gatineau Police Department, also emphasized the importance of
inclusivity in domestic violence services, stating, “No one should be excluded from receiving
high-quality, inclusive, and accessible services,” adding that it is important to continuously
improve support services for victims.

The event also focused on the unique difficulties faced by immigrant communities, who often
experience language barriers, fear of deportation, and a lack of awareness of available services.
Experts called for more culturally sensitive approaches to ensure all victims, regardless of their
background, can access the help they need. Amina Hufane, speaker responsible for the
Workplaces Allied Against Domestic Violence component at Maison Unies-Vers-Femmes, said,
“The obstacles faced by women with an immigrant background are numerous and complex, and
we need to understand the specific realities they experience in order to offer them the
appropriate support.”​

Sessions on youth dating violence, such as those led by Pénélope Allard-Cobetto and Estelle
Piché from UQAM, provided valuable tools for preventing intimate partner violence in
adolescents and young adults through programs like Étincelles and Constellation. Allard-
Cobetto said, “Youth dating violence is a public health issue, and it’s critical that we engage with
adolescents and young adults to promote healthy relationships and prevent violence.”

Other presentations covered domestic violence among LGBTQ+ populations, with Sylvie
Thibault, Professor and Director at Saint-Jérôme campus, addressing the specific health and
service needs of LGBTQ+ individuals facing intimate partner violence. Thibault stated, “The lack
of domestic violence services adapted to LGBTQ+ needs is a significant gap, and we need to
work to close that gap by better equipping workers and creating tailored services for these
populations.”

Photo: The inaugural conference hosted by the Gatineau Police Department focused on
addressing domestic violence through an intersectional, collaborative approach, bringing
together over 165 participants to discuss ways to improve services for victims, particularly those
from marginalized communities. (TF) Photo: Tashi Farmilo