Dozens of advocates and frontline workers gathered at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference Thursday to call on municipal leaders and candidates to take meaningful action to address intimate partner violence.

“This is an opportunity to give representation to which mayors and council and candidates are going to not become downplayers,” said Angela Marie MacDougall, executive director of Battered Women’s Support Services.

“The issue is are you going to take action or continue to downplay this matter?”

The “downplay effect” refers to the minimization of intimate partner violence by police and government officials. Lynne Stuart, executive director of the Omineca Safe Home Society, says this downplaying is rampant in her community of Vanderhoof.

“When I asked to make a presentation to council about this topic, I was told to wait until after the election,” Stuart said.

“It’s not even covert dismissiveness. It’s overt.”

Advocates say the lack of coordination between jurisdictions leads to delayed intervention that could cost more lives.

One such case was that of Laura Gover, a Saanich woman, who, despite having a protection order, was found dead in her home. Her ex-partner has been charged with second-degree murder.

Victoria Women’s Transition House executive director Bahar Dehnadi says they are challenged due to how Greater Victoria is set up. The area has 13 municipalities and six police forces, making their work that much harder.

“If we have a client who used to reside in Oak Bay, but the violence occurred in a different community, it is hard to figure out which department is responsible for it,” Dehnadi said.

With a municipal election on the horizon, advocates say they will be keeping track of which leaders will hold true to their commitments after being elected.