This annual report reflects the activities of the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) in 2019 and 2020.  In mid-2021, I became Chair of the DVDRC and joined a team of knowledgeable and dedicated experts tasked with reviewing all intimate partner violence-related homicides in Ontario.  In the two-year period, 35 cases were reviewed resulting in 59 recommendations.

The committee members’ sensitive and expert analyses ensure that these tragic deaths are not overlooked and that actions are identified to prevent further deaths. I am greatly appreciative of the members’ time, commitment and enormous contributions to Ontario’s understanding of intimate partner violence with a goal to reducing, and hopefully, eliminating such terrible violence and death.  Thank you!

I believe the committee’s work makes a significant positive impact on Ontario society. However, we can always do better; we must be proactive in improving the committee’s processes and outcomes to better serve Ontarians and improve safety for intimate partners predominantly women, and children.  Therefore, under the Chief Coroner’s leadership, we are embarking on a comprehensive review of the committee, including an examination of the committee’s mandate, function and composition, with the expectation of diversifying membership, modernizing processes, and implementing innovative approaches to our case reviews.

A call for rejuvenated committee membership is underway in early 2022. It is our hope that we identify intimate partner violence experts from different geographical, racial, cultural, social, academic and occupational backgrounds.  We believe that such diversity in life and experience will surely enhance our understanding and review of intimate partner violence.

As we move forward, I look forward to embracing the lessons learned from past reviews and guiding the committee towards new and innovated practices to significantly reduce intimate partner violence-related homicide in Ontario. As a first step, we intend on renaming the committee by replacing “domestic violence” with “intimate partner violence.”

On a final note, I’d like to thank Kathy Kerr for her many years of service as the Executive Lead for Committee Management.  She has retired after 35 distinguished years of service, 12 of which she was responsible for the OCC’s many death review committees, including the DVDRC. I believe I speak for all the other committee chairs in saying that our important work has been greatly enhanced by Kathy’s dedication and expertise. I wish Kathy all the best in the next phase of her life.

Prabhu Rajan
Chief Legal Counsel
Office of the Chief Coroner
Chair, Domestic Violence Death Review Committee