Province not doing enough to prevent domestic abuse: lawyer

A Saint John area lawyer says the provincial government is taking too long to start a crackdown on domestic violence.

Justice Minister Brad Green says legislative and policy changes to help abused women are being considered, but he won't be specific until the fall.

Lawyer Pat Gallagher-Jette say that's not good enough. Gallagher-Jette is on the Saint John Domestic Violence Committee that met with Green in March.

She says they asked the minister to write a letter to police chiefs and Crown prosecutors asking them to make sure restraining orders are enforced. Now she can't understand why it's taking so long.

Gallagher-Jette says she's optimistic this young government will take matters like domestic violence more seriously. But she says they need to act now. Many women don't have time to wait.