Advocates in British Columbia call for the classification of femicide as a designated crime
In the province of British Columbia (B.C.), a heightened focus on addressing intimate partner violence and femicide has emerged following a series of tragic incidents.
Recently, Bailey McCourt, a resident of Kelowna, was brutally attacked in a parking lot on July 4 and unfortunately succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. Her ex-partner, charged with second-degree murder, is currently under investigation. This case, along with others, has highlighted systemic failures within the legal system and society that have contributed to the continued occurrence of such violence.
In response, the B.C. Attorney General has requested a systemic review of the legal system's treatment of sexual and intimate partner violence, completed by Dr. Kim Stanton in June 2025. The review revealed systemic failures and has informed ongoing reforms aimed at improving risk identification, survivor support, and justice system coordination.
The provincial government, represented by Parliamentary Secretary Jennifer Blatherwick, is working diligently to implement Dr. Stanton’s recommendations. Collaboration with the federal government is also underway to strengthen bail and sentencing laws, enhance protections against intimate partner and gender-based violence, and address concerns over leniency allowing perpetrators to remain free during proceedings.
Advocacy groups such as the Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) are calling on municipalities across B.C. to acknowledge gender-based violence as a public safety emergency. They emphasise that the current legal and social frameworks historically minimised and controlled women rather than protecting them.
The B.C. Attorney General is also requesting tougher sentences for individuals convicted of serious forms of intimate partner violence, such as strangulation, and advocates are pushing for femicide, the intentional act of killing women or girls due to their gender, to be deemed a specific offence in B.C.
The federal government plans to table a bill this fall introducing stricter bail conditions and sentencing for some crimes. Meanwhile, countries like Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, and Costa Rica have already integrated femicide into their criminal codes, with 18 of the 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean having legislation classifying femicide as a distinct hate crime.
However, many survivors of intimate partner violence do not report the crimes against them, according to advocates. It is hoped that the promises made by the federal government will address the root causes of intimate partner violence and lead to increased reporting and support for victims.
In the case of individuals released on bail in cases of intimate partner violence, Hilla Kerner with the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter has stated that they want these individuals to be monitored.
The ongoing efforts in B.C. aim to ensure the safety of victims throughout the legal process, with the criminal justice system keeping victims safe during the process of bail and sentencing for individuals convicted of intimate partner violence. These reforms are a crucial step towards creating a safer environment for all residents of B.C.
- Recognizing the importance of mental health and wellness, advocacy groups have urged the implementation of support services for survivors of intimate partner violence, as they often suffer from mental health issues due to the trauma experienced.
- To holistically address women's health and wellness, the provincial government is working towards integrating mental health resources and women's health services into existing violence prevention and survivor support programs, to ensure comprehensive care for those impacted by gender-based violence.
