Thank you very much.
I'd like to thank the minister and the department for joining us today to brief us and answer our questions. I think we're all here with the common desire to see more help for women, especially during this time of the pandemic.
As you know, November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and starting tomorrow Canadians will observe 16 days of activism against gender-based violence until December 10.
At the forefront of my mind today, on the issue of violence against women, is domestic violence and human trafficking.
Concerning domestic violence, as you are aware, COVID-19 has caused a hike in incidents. Although there has been an increase, we're not seeing all the numbers. Because of social isolation and lockdowns, perpetrators have been empowered to exercise greater control over their intimate partners' use of phones and computers, so women are unable to access their communication devices to cry for help and report their incidents.
In our last committee meeting, we heard that tragic barriers have prevented the protection of victims and prevented helping them escape from their perpetrators. For example, court closures prevent access to court orders, and in some regions limited access to public transportation and closures of community support agencies have greatly hindered exit strategies. In some cases, public health service workers lack trauma sensitivity and were sending victims of domestic violence back to their perpetrators because they were inaccurately assessing the victims' need for help and their need to leave.
The Liberal government has intervened across governmental jurisdictions to provide emergency COVID support. Victims' need for support and escape from domestic violence is daunting.
What has the department done to improve exit strategies for victims of domestic violence, in this unprecedented context of lockdowns and social distancing? Will the government be willing to provide intergovernmental support and work with other ministries, such as public safety, the provinces and regions, to make sure roadblocks are cleared for victims to have viable exit strategies?