Study examines domestic abuse punishment

A new report released in Thunder Bay suggests the criminal court system isn't tough enough on domestic abuse offenders.

The report was released by Court Watch, an oversight committee established by the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre along with Faye Peterson Transition House.

For the past 15 months, Court Watch volunteers have monitored the punishment of people convicted of domestic abuse through the courts.

Their findings show that 87 per cent of abuse victims in Thunder Bay are female. The group says there needs to be consistent punishment on offenders, longer terms in custody, and stronger repercussions on repeat offenders.

Court Watch officials also say women are not protected enough from abusive acts as 58 per cent of those accused are released on bail.

Debbie Zweep, of the Faye Peterson Transition House, says the report is evidence that changes need to be made in the Thunder Bay criminal justice system to make abuse victims safer.