Nunavut Struggles to Implement Law Aimed at Curbing Spousal Abuse

In 2006, Nunavut’s legislators passed the Family Abuse Intervention Act. They envisioned the new law would tackle spousal abuse in a way that was more in tune with Inuit culture.

However, according to a recent report the opportunity to implement community intervention orders have not been used once over the past year, while emergency protection orders had been granted 60 times, Nunatsiaq News reports.

Acting Minister of Justice in Nunavut, David Akeeagok acknowledges that there is a gap between the intent of the law and reality on the ground. Vacant positions and high staff turnover have been listed as some of the key reasons for this.