Progressive Conservative MPP Jess Dixon says advancing work to combat intimate partner violence and expanding prevention programs aimed at reducing crime before it starts will be among her top priorities when Ontario’s legislature returns later this month.
Much of Dixon’s focus will build on a sweeping report released in December examining intimate partner violence, sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence. The report followed extensive hearings that included testimony from experts, service providers and survivors.
“We really tried to reflect what people told us in a way that was structured and forward-looking,” Dixon said in an interview. “The challenge has never been whether people care, people really, really do. The challenge is how do we take that care and actually build systemic responses that match how deeply rooted gender-based violence is.”