A death review panel of subject-matter experts convened by the chief coroner has co-authored a report focused on reducing deaths from intimate-partner violence in British Columbia.
“Tragically, deaths resulting from acts of intimate-partner violence remain far too common in communities everywhere, including here in B.C.,” said Ryan Panton, panel chair. “This report contains practical recommendations that, when implemented, will ensure efforts to address intimate-partner violence are undertaken in a consistent, centrally co-ordinated manner, and addressed with the urgency that this crisis demands.”
The report, Our Time to Act: A Review of Intimate Partner Violence-Related Deaths in British Columbia, 2016-2024, was created in consultation with experts in medicine, public health, Indigenous health, rural health, law enforcement, justice, gender equity, child welfare, victim services and community-based supports.
“Among its many key findings, one panel declaration is unequivocal: Intimate partner violence related deaths are overwhelmingly preventable,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner. “The recommendations in this report offer a realistic and necessary path forward. We owe it to every person whose life was taken by intimate-partner violence – and to every person who fears it today – to act decisively, collaboratively and immediately.”
The panel reviewed, in aggregate, information about the deaths of 135 people in British Columbia who died between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2024, and whose deaths were determined by coroners to be related to intimate-partner violence.
The panel report includes five recommendations intended to prevent future deaths, and improve public health and public safety, for youth and young adults in British Columbia:
1. Implement a clear, transparent and measurable strategy that ensures a centrally co-ordinated provincial response to addressing intimate partner related violence and deaths in British Columbia
2. Create and resource a standing committee mandated to individually review all intimate partner violence related deaths in an effort to identify existing systemic gaps and enhance the Province’s response
3. Enhance training for law enforcement, first responders, emergency department staff and front-line service providers to ensure instances of intimate partner related violence are more readily identified, and survivors are more consistently supported
4. Establish and resource an evidence-supported model that promotes grassroots and community-led approaches to preventing intimate partner related death and supporting survivors of intimate partner related violence
5. Create and implement a public awareness campaign to increase knowledge of intimate-partner violence and pathways to support for people who experience and use violence
In addition, the panel reaffirmed and requested an update regarding progress on a recommendation that was included in a previous death review panel report on deaths by suicide of youth and young adults: to improve data collection, information sharing and reporting processes to better understand and support diverse communities throughout British Columbia.
IN response to the report, Niki Sharma, Attorney General, said: “The BC Coroner’s Service death review panel report is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the shape and scale of intimate-partner violence in B.C. Coupled with the government-commissioned review by Dr. Kim Stanton of how victims of intimate-partner and sexual violence are treated in our justice system, we have a clearer picture of where action is needed and how our government must respond.
“The overlap between the recommendations in the final report of Stanton and the death review panel report confirms that we are moving in the right direction. We have already identified the need for a central accountability mechanism to co-ordinate and oversee government’s response, and work is underway to determine the most effective structure for that. Similarly, both reports call for government to create a standing committee to individually review deaths related to intimate-partner violence. We will work with the BC Coroners Service to determine the best way to establish this committee.
“Two additional priority actions we identified last fall also closely align with the death review panel’s recommendations: updating guidance for all actors within the justice system responding to intimate-partner violence, starting with the existing Violence Against Women in Relationships policy, and exploring how to improve risk-related processes, such as screening, assessments, safety planning and management across the legal system. The first roundtable on risk assessment bringing together government representatives and anti-violence sector experts will take place in May 2026, and we look forward to sharing updates about this work in the future.
“The kinds of reforms recommended by experts cannot be implemented overnight, but we remain committed to steady, meaningful progress. We continue investing in services and programs that directly help people. Just earlier today, we announced the extension of our Safe Supports Project, which supports people impacted by family and intimate-partner violence as they navigate the legal system in some northern and rural B.C. communities.
“I want to thank the chief coroner and the BC Coroners Service for producing this report and for their ongoing commitment to public safety and accountability. I look forward to providing a further update this summer on our efforts to improve the system, close gaps and strengthen public safety, as called for in the coroners report.
“We will never shy away from government’s role and responsibility in helping create a B.C. where everyone feels safe, heard and supported.”
Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said: “I want to thank the BC Coroner’s Service and panel members for the care they brought to reviewing dozens of intimate-partner violence cases. Their thoughtful recommendations represent a commitment to learning from tragedy in order to protect lives. The recommendations complement and will be integrated into work already underway across government to enhance public safety responses, strengthen co-ordination and improve how risk is identified and addressed.
“We know that behind every statistic is a person whose life, sense of safety and well-being have been profoundly affected, and I acknowledge the pain, fear and loss experienced by survivors and their families.
“The Province recognizes the devastating impact of intimate-partner violence, and that’s why we provide more than $60 million annually to support over 475 victim service and violence against women programs, including sexual-assault services and Indigenous-led supports.
“We remain committed to working with survivors, Indigenous partners, advocates, police and front-line agencies to ensure that people experiencing violence have a clear path to safety, dignity and recovery.”
Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said: “Intimate-partner violence persists as a systemic issue in our society. It is reprehensible and unacceptable, which is why the BC Coroners Service death review panel report is so important. I am grateful that this work was funded under Safe and Supported, through the Canada-B.C. bilateral agreement to end gender-based violence. The panel’s recommendations strengthen our understanding of intimate-partner violence and will guide our efforts to ultimately end intimate-partner violence and build safer, violence-free communities for everyone.”
Learn More:
* Read the full death review panel report: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/
* To learn more about death review panels, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/
* BC Coroners Service: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/
