Saskatchewan Violence Prevention Week (#SVPW2021) is November 28 to December 4, 2021.
This year's theme for Saskatchewan Violence Prevention Week, "Reach Out," is intended to reflect the purpose of the week: encouraging people to take the time to learn about healthy relationships, to rebuild connections, to support others and play an active role in building healthy, resilient communities.
As the provincial police service, we remain committed to supporting any individual that has experienced or may be experiencing interpersonal violence.
One of the ways we aim to assist those impacted by interpersonal violence is through Clare's Law. Saskatchewan was the first province to implement the law and the Saskatchewan RCMP is one of the first RCMP Divisions to implement it in Canada.
Clare's Law authorizes a police service to disclose certain risk-related information about someone's violent or abusive past to protect a potential victim of interpersonal violence from harm. It aims to assist persons at risk in making informed decisions about their safety and relationships.
"I encourage any person who feels that they may be at risk of harm by a current or former intimate partner to contact their local RCMP detachment to discuss resources available to keep them safe and to help them feel supported," says Cst. Joelle Nieman, Relationship Violence Coordinator for the Saskatchewan RCMP. "Recognized weeks such as Saskatchewan Violence Prevention Week helps us highlight and bring awareness to services, such as Clare's Law, that are available to those experiencing interpersonal violence in Saskatchewan."
Clare's Law applications can be made by a person who feels they are at risk of harm by a current or former intimate partner. Applications can also be made by a loved one or support person on behalf of the person at risk with or without their consent.
Clare's Law provides the applicant with the "right to ask" and the "right to know."
With the "right to ask" protocol, the applicant can attend an RCMP detachment and apply to find out if there is any risk-related information regarding a current or former intimate partner.
With the "right to know" protocol, the process is initiated by a police member of the RCMP who has received information that may impact the safety of a person in an intimate relationship.
Learn how to enact Clare's Law and help keep yourself and your loved ones safe by viewing the informational poster.
The Clare's Law informational poster will be available at RCMP detachments across the province.
To connect to domestic violence support in your community, call 211, text 211 or visit their website abuse.sk.211.ca. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7 365 days a year in over 175 languages, including 17 Indigenous languages.
All non-emergency incidents can be reported to any local RCMP detachment by calling 310-RCMP (7267).