In 1998 the Partner Abuse Protocol was developed to guide probation and parole officers in responding to the issue of woman abuse. An additional objective of the protocol was to give victims an opportunity to be involved in the corrections process.

The following is a list of facts that you may find helpful if your abusive partner is involved with the probation or parole process as outlined by the Partner Abuse Protocol.

• Victims have the right to certain offender related information such as:
  - whether or not the offender is in custody and if so, the release date
  - if the offender is on probation/parole or conditional sentence
  - the parole eligibility date
  - standard conditions of probation/parole/conditional sentence order
  - additional conditions which specifically name the victim i.e. non-association
  - general geographic area of release from custody
  
  
• Victims have the right to speak with the offender's probation/parole officer to share offender related information. The information given may be shared with the offender, please speak with the probation/parole officer about confidentiality.
  
  
• Victims of young offenders are entitled to offense information and any information which forms part of the young offender's record.
  
  
• For enforcement purposes, if the offender is ordered not to associate with the victim, the victim must be advised of options available if the condition of non-association is breached.
  
  
• Offenders are to be advised that the probation/parole officer will be contacting the victim throughout the probation period. The information collected from the victim may be shared with the offender, please speak with the probation/parole officer regarding confidentiality.
  
  
• If the offender has been ordered to attend specific programming, (i.e. Changing Ways or Anger Management) questions regarding the offender's progress should be directed to the program provider.
  
  
• Victims are encouraged to call the Victim Support Line at 1-888-579-2888, for additional information around victim support services, how the criminal justice system can work for the victim, and for information about the offender's status in the provincial corrections and parole systems.

List of terms:

Probation:
Reporting or non-reporting court order, placed on a person who has been convicted or granted a conditional sentence. Often the probation/parole officer has certain conditions that must be followed.

Parole:
Conditional release of an inmate. Inmates are sometimes eligible for parole after serving 1/3 or 7 years (which ever is less) of their sentence.

Conditional Sentence:
Convicted serves sentence in the community with conditions.

Breach:
Convicted commits an offense by breaking their court order or conditions of release.

Edited from: Ministry of Corrections Services Partner Abuse Protocol 1998