Domestic Conflict Response Team expands to cover all of Calgary

After a successful pilot to tackle family violence, the Domestic Conflict Response Team (DCRT) is looking to expand and cover all communities across the city.

Made up of police officers, members of HomeFront, Calgary Area Child and Family Services and Closer to Home, this unique partnership aims to intervene in high-risk domestic conflict cases and offer assistance before the courts become involved.

With funding from the Safe Communities Innovation Fund, the team originally started in the northeast communities of Calgary in 2009. In 2012, the program was expanded to select communities in the south. Given the success of the program to date, DCRT will soon be available throughout Calgary.

The DCRT primarily focusses on domestic conflict situations where no charges have been laid, but the case is considered chronic or high risk with repeat or escalating violence.

“We review every domestic violence case we attend for certain risk factors,” says Insp. Cliff O’Brien. “Those that meet a certain criteria are referred to the DCRT. By bringing together intervention services, the team is able to maximize the response to a single call for help, offering a range of services and support.”

Since its inception, the DCRT has worked on more than 600 cases involving both adults and children. The DCRT targets any domestic situation where there are children in a home and family stability concerns are significant.

“By intervening earlier, the DCRT is able to reduce the likelihood that families will require crisis response in the future,” says Kevin McNichol, HomeFront Executive Director. “The program is not only about saving families, but about breaking the cycle of violence.”

In a recent survey, 91 per cent of clients working with the DCRT said there had been no further incidents of physical violence in their homes.

The DCRT gives families the opportunity and support to stop the domestic conflict and live safe, peaceful lives.

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