Panel’s recommendations aim to reduce deaths related to intimate-partner violence
Press Release
April 27, 2026
VICTORIA – 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 Jan. 1, 2016, and Dec. 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:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Learn More:
- Read the full death review panel report: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/death-review-panel/our_time_to_act.pdf
- To learn more about death review panels, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts
- BC Coroners Service: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/
Contact:
Holly Tally
Manager, Strategic Communications and Media Relations
BC Coroners Service
Holly.Tally@gov.bc.ca
236-969-1759
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