Ottawa Advocates Push for Prevention Over Incarceration in Violence Against Women

The Ottawa Coalition To End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) has called for a shift from incarceration to community-based and trauma-informed programs as essential measures to prevent and address violence against women in Ottawa. This advocacy follows recent cases of femicide, notably the sentencing of Robert Rus to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Brenda Rus, in April 2025. OCTEVAW argues that the justice system fails to provide adequate accountability and healing for survivors, emphasizing the need for alternative responses to gender-based violence.

OCTEVAW, comprising over 50 organizations and individuals, advocates for policies centered on trauma-informed approaches. The coalition’s acting executive director, Astara van der Jagt, highlighted the limitations of state punishment and incarceration in addressing the root causes of issues such as femicide and intimate partner violence (IPV). Instead, she urged the City of Ottawa and policymakers to invest in community-driven programs aimed at prevention and healing.

Van der Jagt suggested that city staff collaborate with advocacy organizations to create survivor-centered practices. This includes enhancing transitional housing for survivors fleeing abusive situations and establishing comprehensive support systems tailored to the cultural and individual needs of survivors. She stated, “I think there’s a recognition that the prison system doesn’t do a good job of rehabilitating prisoners, and so we as an organization like to ask the question: What needs to happen to stop this harm from ever happening again?”

While advocates like van der Jagt emphasize prevention, legal scholar and law professor Janine Benedet from the University of British Columbia expressed concerns about the potential risks of relying solely on transformative justice. She believes that police play a crucial role in removing violent individuals from situations where they inflict harm. Benedet stressed the importance of monitoring the bail conditions of offenders and ensuring that consequences are in place for those committing gender-based violence.

Benedet pointed out the need for a balanced approach, cautioning against the idea that restorative justice can effectively address the complexities of sexual violence. “For men who sexually abuse their partners, there can never be a process where two people are on equal footing,” she explained. She highlighted the danger of sending mixed messages to perpetrators regarding their behavior and the accountability expected of them.

Both van der Jagt and Benedet agree that encouraging women to report incidents of violence is critical, yet many cases remain under-reported due to societal stigma and distrust in the justice system. Benedet noted the necessity for specialized training for police officers and an increase in female officers to better assist survivors. Additionally, robust funding for women’s shelters and support programs is essential to ensure access to resources, particularly for Indigenous women and women of color.

Data collection on femicides and IPV also requires improvement. According to van der Jagt, the Canadian Femicide Observatory is one of the few organizations tracking these cases nationally. However, inconsistencies in how police label homicides—often categorizing them merely as homicides rather than femicides—complicate the issue. She stated, “I think a lot of survivors have lost trust in institutions that have invalidated their experiences, that have re-traumatized and re-victimized them.”

OCTEVAW advocates for clear, transparent processes for reporting incidents of violence and accessing necessary services, including health care and transitional housing. Van der Jagt emphasized the importance of respecting survivors’ choices and agency, especially when they may choose to return to an abusive relationship.

Conversations around violence prevention should also start early within families, according to van der Jagt. Discussing respect, consent, and emotional expression with boys can help instill positive values as they grow. “These are very simple conversations that can happen at home, while playing soccer or at the grocery store,” she noted.

As Ottawa grapples with the increasing prevalence of gender-based violence, the advocacy from OCTEVAW highlights the urgent need for comprehensive, community-oriented solutions that prioritize prevention and support for survivors.