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COMMUNITY: Alberta sets up unit to combat relationship violence and stalking
        (AlbertaIndex, November 12, Monday) --- The Alberta government has launched a new agency to deal with relationship violence and stalking, making it the first in Canada.
        The Alberta Relationship Threat Assessment and Management Initiative (ARTAMI) coordinates the efforts of police, prosecutors and community organizations to more effectively address threats posed in violent, high-risk relationships and stalking situations - including homicide and suicide.

The agency is a resource for police, prosecutors, child intervention case workers, women’s shelters, corrections personnel, and mental health experts to help victims of high-risk relationship violence and stalking.

Along with director Val Campbell, ARTAMI also includes a Crown prosecutor, a family law expert, a victim safety specialist, a Children’s Services liaison, four RCMP members, and four municipal police officers (Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge). The unit also has access to the services of a forensic psychologist and psychiatrist.

“No one should ever live in fear,” said Fred Lindsay, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. “By helping coordinate appropriate responses to significant relationship violence and stalking threats, this unit will help those who are the most at risk in our community stay safe.”

“ARTAMI will intervene and help prevent relationship crimes of stalking, violence and death,” said Ron Stevens, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “It will also better position our courts to help build the cases of victims and support them through the trial process. This is especially important in cases of family violence, which are notoriously difficult to prosecute.”

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