Through you, Chair, my question is for the deputy chief.
Peace bonds, under section 810 of the Criminal Code, can be an important tool, but survivors of coercion and abuse face real barriers. They often carry the burden of initiating the process, proving fear on reasonable grounds and navigating court, all while trying to stay safe. There's room to make this tool stronger and more survivor-focused.
I've heard a lot of concerns about the short duration of peace bonds. A report on the findings of a community-based study conducted by Battered Women's Support Services recommends extending the duration of family law protection orders to two years for cases of intimate partner violence or gender-based violence, with the possibility of longer durations.
Do you think changing the peace bonds from one year to a two-year maximum would be enough, or should there be a longer time frame? How do we better account for cumulative evidence of intimidation and stalking, incorporate the risk assessments for high-risk offenders and improve the data collection?