---
title: "Vancouver Liberals promise to declare intimate partner violence a public health and safety crisis"
description: "The Vancouver Liberals published a policy on October 13, promising to declare intimate partner violence a public health and public safety crisis and work with the Vancouver Police Board on a response plan."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/vancouver-liberals-ipv-platform-october-13"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T19:03:22.010Z"
---

The Vancouver Liberals published a policy on October 13 saying that a Vancouver Liberal government would declare intimate partner violence a public health and public safety crisis. The party said [Kareem Allam](/candidates/kareem-allam), the Vancouver Liberal mayoral candidate, would work with the Vancouver Police Board on a strategic plan to strengthen the city's response to intimate partner violence.

"Intimate partner violence is a public safety issue, and we need to treat it with the seriousness it deserves," Allam said in the press release. "Women, children and gender-diverse people experiencing violence deserve a system that responds to them, supports them, and takes their safety seriously."

The party published the policy four days before voting day on October 17.

## What the party says it would do

The press release says a Vancouver Liberal government would work with the Vancouver Police Board to improve alignment with the provincial Violence Against Women in Relationships guidance and to ensure every intimate partner violence incident is investigated thoroughly. The party also says it would support the five policy actions put forward by Battered Women's Support Services, an organization that provides crisis support and advocacy for women experiencing abuse. The press release does not list the five actions; the party points to Battered Women's Support Services directly.

The Vancouver Liberals would also advocate to the provincial government for continued action on the recommendations from Dr. Kim Stanton's independent review of how BC's legal system handles intimate partner and sexual violence.

"Survivors have been telling governments and institutions for years what needs to change," said Jessica Walton, quoted in the press release. The release does not identify her role or title.

## Housing and other supports

The press release says the Vancouver Liberals would advocate to the federal and provincial governments for stronger access to housing and childcare for people experiencing violence. The party says stable housing is critical to helping survivors and their children reach safety. No specific housing number or cost is named in the release.

"Intimate partner violence cannot be addressed by one organization or one level of government alone," Allam said. "Women, survivors, advocates, police, governments and elected officials all have a role to play."

## What voters can do

Voters who want to compare parties on public safety can read the Vancouver Liberals' full policy at [/parties/vancouver-liberals](/parties/vancouver-liberals). Voting day is October 17, 2026.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.