Dr. Carolyn Fraser, Erin Lee and Eva Zachary
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Preventing Intimate Partner Homicide: Reflections from Members of the DVDRC, Part 1
This Webinar was presented and recorded on September 23, 2025
Founded in 2003, the mandate of Ontario’s multi-disciplinary Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) is to assist the Office of the Chief Coroner in the investigation and review of deaths of persons that occur as a result of intimate partner homicide and to make recommendations to help prevent further deaths. In March 2023, a new 15-member DVDRC committee was appointed and began reviewing deaths. The first report of the new committee will be released in fall 2025.
This webinar was co-hosted by the Learning Network & Knowledge Hub (LN/KH) Webinar Series and the Family Violence Family Law | Awareness to Action (A2A) Project, and is part 1 of a 2-part series. It featured members of the DVDRC speaking about their experience on the committee and as contributors to three of the themed chapters of the most recent report: intimate partner homicides (IPH) in aging populations, IPH involving firearms, and homicides in the context of intersecting concerns about mental health and substance use. Major themes and recommendations for preventing deaths in these circumstances were presented.
Part 2 of the series, taking place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, will highlight lessons learned from homicides in the context of family law proceedings, unique issues for survivors in immigrant or refugee communities, and the needs of surviving children in the aftermath of domestic homicide deaths. (Registration for part 2 will open closer to the webinar date.)
The full DVDRC report from 2022/23 is available here: CDHPI Spotlight.
Webinar Recording
Learning Objectives
By participating in this webinar, participants will:
- Review the purpose and major findings of Ontario’s DVDRC
- Gain an understanding of the risks of IPV homicide associated with firearms and identify policies likely to reduce this risk
- Identify steps and strategies that will contribute to the prevention of intimate partner homicides in aging populations
- Recognize connections of IPV risk to mental health and substance use concerns and learn about effective intervention and support strategies for both survivors and individual s who use violence and who struggle with substance use and/or mental health issues
Speakers
Dr. Carolyn Fraser is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) and a recognized expert in domestic violence prevention and response. Since 2017, she has served at the Ontario Police College (OPC) as the resident subject matter expert on domestic violence, coordinating and delivering specialized investigation training programs, including the Domestic Violence Investigation and Human Trafficking Investigation courses, and providing expertise for basic police recruit training. She also contributed to the development of the Firearms Seizures – In the Interest of Public Safety e-learning course for the Canadian Police Knowledge Network.
Previously, Dr. Fraser was a sworn constable with the London Police Service for 15 years, spending much of her career in a dedicated domestic violence unit overseeing investigations, monitoring high-risk offenders, and collaborating with justice partners on bail proceedings.
Dr. Fraser earned her Ph.D. in Critical Policy, Equity and Leadership Studies from Western University, where she co-researched the national Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative among Vulnerable Populations. Her research focuses on the role of police in safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic violence and children exposed to it, and she has published in peer-reviewed journals on related topics. She also served on the Board of Directors for Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County, including as Chair of the Special Events sub-committee.
Erin Lee is an experienced, passionate advocate who has spent decades working to end violence against women. Her work spans anti-violence programs, school board initiatives, provincial associations and numerous boards and committees. She is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) and currently serves as the Executive Director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, Community Safety and Well Being Plan member, Coordinating Committee member and member of the Victimology Advisory of Algonquin College. Erin has been a recipient of the Ministry of the Attorney General, Award of Distinction and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario award for social change. Most recently, Lanark County Interval House in conjunction with the Ontario Provincial Police and community, received the OPP Accolade Award for the development of the Victim Advocate Program. Erin was a member of the EVA inquest working group after the triple femicide in Renfrew and offered testimony related to rural realities as a neighbouring county. Erin’s advocacy is characterized as solution-focused, mentoring to new advocates and inclusive to all.
Eva Zachary is the Executive Director of Muskoka Victim Services and a long-time advocate for survivors, with more than 15 years of experience in conflict resolution, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, and community collaboration. She holds designations as a Community and Workplace Traumatologist, Trauma Services Specialist, and Compassion Fatigue Educator, and is certified in mediation and critical incident stress management.
Eva is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) with the Office of the Chief Coroner, serves on the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Victim Assistance Committee, and advises the Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers. In her independent practice, she provides mediation services and training to frontline workers and social service providers.
Prévention de l'homicide entre partenaires intimes : réflexions des membres du CEDVF, partie 1
Ce Webinaire a été présenté et enregistré le 23 septiembre 2025.
Fondé en 2003, le Comité d'examen des décès dus à la violence familiale (CEDVF) multidisciplinaire de l'Ontario a pour mandat d'aider le Bureau du coroner en chef dans l'enquête et l'examen des décès qui surviennent à la suite d'un homicide entre partenaires intimes et de formuler des recommandations pour aider à prévenir d'autres décès. En mars 2023, un nouveau comité du CEDVF composé de 15 membres a été nommé et a commencé à examiner les décès. Le premier rapport du nouveau comité sera publié cet automne.
Ce webinaire, co-organisé par la série de webinaires du Learning Network et Centre de connaissances et le projet Violence familiale et droit de la famille | Sensibilisation à l’action, est la première partie d'une série en deux parties. Il met en vedette des membres du CEDVF qui parlent de leur expérience au sein du comité et de leur contribution à trois des chapitres thématiques du rapport le plus récent : les homicides entre partenaires intimes (HPI) au sein des populations vieillissantes, les HPI impliquant des armes à feu, et les HPI dans le contexte de l’intersection des enjeux de santé mentale et d’usage de substances psychoactives. Il présentera des thèmes majeurs et des recommandations pour prévenir les décès dans ces circonstances.
La deuxième partie de la série, qui se déroulera le jeudi 27 novembre 2025, portera sur les leçons tirées des homicides dans le contexte des procédures de droit de la famille, sur les enjeux particuliers pour les survivantes dans les communautés de personnes immigrantes ou réfugiées, ainsi que sur les besoins des enfants survivants à la suite de décès par homicide familial. (L’inscription pour la deuxième partie sera ouverte plus près de la date du webinaire.)
Enregistrement du Webinaire
Objectifs d'apprentissage
Ce webinaire permet aux participant.e.s de
- Examiner la raison d’être et les principales conclusions du CEDVF de l'Ontario
- Comprendre les risques d'homicides liés aux armes à feu en contexte de violence entre partenaires intimes (VPI), et déterminer les politiques susceptibles de réduire ces risques
- Identifier les étapes et les stratégies qui contribueront à la prévention des homicides entre partenaires intimes dans les populations vieillissantes
- Reconnaître les liens entre le risque de VPI et les enjeux de santé mentale et d’usage de substances psychoactives, et en apprendre davantage sur des stratégies d’intervention et de soutien efficaces pour les survivants et les personnes
Biographies des présentatrices
La Dre Carolyn Fraser est membre du Comité d’examen des décès dus à la violence familiale (CEDVF) de l’Ontario et experte reconnue en prévention et intervention en matière de violence familiale. Depuis 2017, elle travaille au Collège de police de l'Ontario (CPO) en tant qu'experte résidente en matière de violence familiale, où elle coordonne et dispense des programmes de formation spécialisés dans les enquêtes, notamment les cours d’enquête sur la violence familiale et d’enquête sur la traite des personnes, et où elle apporte son expertise pour la formation de base des recrues de la police. Elle a également contribué à l'élaboration du cours d'apprentissage en ligne Saisies d'armes à feu - dans l'intérêt de la sécurité publique pour le Réseau canadien du savoir policier.
Auparavant, la Dre Fraser a été agente de police assermentée au sein du service de police de London pendant 15 ans. Elle a passé une grande partie de sa carrière au sein d’une unité spécialisée en violence familiale, où elle supervisait les enquêtes, surveillait les délinquants à risque élevé et collaborait avec les partenaires de la justice dans les procédures de mise en liberté sous caution.
La Dre Fraser a obtenu un doctorat en études en matière de politique critique, d'équité et de leadership à l'Université Western, où elle a participé à la recherche sur l'initiative nationale canadienne de prévention de l'homicide familial auprès des populations vulnérables. Ses recherches portent sur le rôle de la police dans la planification de la sécurité et la gestion des risques pour les victimes de violence familiale et les enfants qui y sont exposés, et elle ses articles ont été publiés dans des revues à comité de lecture par les pairs sur des sujets connexes. Elle a également siégé au conseil d'administration de l'association Violence Against Women, du Services Elgin County, notamment en tant que présidente du sous-comité des événements spéciaux.
Erin Lee est défenseure chevronnée et passionnée qui a passé des décennies à travailler pour mettre fin à la violence faite aux femmes. Son travail englobe les programmes de lutte contre la violence, les initiatives des conseils scolaires, les associations provinciales et de nombreux conseils et comités. Elle est membre du Comité d’examen des décès dus à la violence familiale (CEDVF) de l’Ontario et occupe actuellement le poste de directrice générale du Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, Community Safety and Well Being Plan. Elle est également membre du comité de coordination et membre du conseil consultatif en victimologie du Collège Algonquin. Erin a reçu le Prix de distinction du ministère du Procureur général et le Prix du changement social de la Fédération des enseignantes et des enseignants de l’élémentaire de l’Ontario. Plus récemment, la Lanark County Interval House, en collaboration avec la Police provinciale de l’Ontario et la communauté, a reçu le prix d’honneur de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario pour l’élaboration du Programme de défense des victimes. Erin a été membre du groupe de travail sur l’enquête EVA après le triple féminicide à Renfrew et a témoigné au sujet des réalités rurales en tant que comté voisin. La défense des intérêts d’Erin est caractérisée comme étant axée sur les solutions, le mentorat pour les nouveaux porte-parole et l’inclusion pour tous.
Eva Zachary est directrice générale des services aux victimes de Muskoka et défenseure de longue date des droits des survivants. Elle compte plus de 15 ans d’expérience dans la résolution de conflits, l’intervention en situation de crise, la défense des intérêts des victimes et la collaboration communautaire. Elle détient les titres de traumatologue communautaire et en milieu de travail, de spécialiste des services de traumatologie et d’éducatrice sur l’usure de compassion, et est certifiée en médiation et en gestion du stress lié aux incidents critiques.
Eva est membre du Comité d’examen des décès dus à la violence familiale (CEDVF) de l’Ontario au sein du Bureau du coroner en chef, siège au Comité d’aide aux victimes de l’Association des chefs de police de l’Ontario et conseille le Réseau ontarien des fournisseurs de services aux victimes. Dans sa pratique indépendante, elle offre des services de médiation et de formation aux travailleuses.eurs de première ligne et aux fournisseurs de services sociaux.
Preventing Intimate Partner Homicide: Reflections from Members of the DVDRC, Part 1
This Webinar was presented and recorded on September 23, 2025
Founded in 2003, the mandate of Ontario’s multi-disciplinary Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) is to assist the Office of the Chief Coroner in the investigation and review of deaths of persons that occur as a result of intimate partner homicide and to make recommendations to help prevent further deaths. In March 2023, a new 15-member DVDRC committee was appointed and began reviewing deaths. The first report of the new committee will be released in fall 2025.
This webinar was co-hosted by the Learning Network & Knowledge Hub (LN/KH) Webinar Series and the Family Violence Family Law | Awareness to Action (A2A) Project, and is part 1 of a 2-part series. It featured members of the DVDRC speaking about their experience on the committee and as contributors to three of the themed chapters of the most recent report: intimate partner homicides (IPH) in aging populations, IPH involving firearms, and homicides in the context of intersecting concerns about mental health and substance use. Major themes and recommendations for preventing deaths in these circumstances were presented.
Part 2 of the series, taking place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, will highlight lessons learned from homicides in the context of family law proceedings, unique issues for survivors in immigrant or refugee communities, and the needs of surviving children in the aftermath of domestic homicide deaths. (Registration for part 2 will open closer to the webinar date.)
The full DVDRC report from 2022/23 is available here: CDHPI Spotlight.
Webinar Recording
Learning Objectives
By participating in this webinar, participants will:
- Review the purpose and major findings of Ontario’s DVDRC
- Gain an understanding of the risks of IPV homicide associated with firearms and identify policies likely to reduce this risk
- Identify steps and strategies that will contribute to the prevention of intimate partner homicides in aging populations
- Recognize connections of IPV risk to mental health and substance use concerns and learn about effective intervention and support strategies for both survivors and individual s who use violence and who struggle with substance use and/or mental health issues
Speakers
Dr. Carolyn Fraser is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) and a recognized expert in domestic violence prevention and response. Since 2017, she has served at the Ontario Police College (OPC) as the resident subject matter expert on domestic violence, coordinating and delivering specialized investigation training programs, including the Domestic Violence Investigation and Human Trafficking Investigation courses, and providing expertise for basic police recruit training. She also contributed to the development of the Firearms Seizures – In the Interest of Public Safety e-learning course for the Canadian Police Knowledge Network.
Previously, Dr. Fraser was a sworn constable with the London Police Service for 15 years, spending much of her career in a dedicated domestic violence unit overseeing investigations, monitoring high-risk offenders, and collaborating with justice partners on bail proceedings.
Dr. Fraser earned her Ph.D. in Critical Policy, Equity and Leadership Studies from Western University, where she co-researched the national Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative among Vulnerable Populations. Her research focuses on the role of police in safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic violence and children exposed to it, and she has published in peer-reviewed journals on related topics. She also served on the Board of Directors for Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County, including as Chair of the Special Events sub-committee.
Erin Lee is an experienced, passionate advocate who has spent decades working to end violence against women. Her work spans anti-violence programs, school board initiatives, provincial associations and numerous boards and committees. She is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) and currently serves as the Executive Director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, Community Safety and Well Being Plan member, Coordinating Committee member and member of the Victimology Advisory of Algonquin College. Erin has been a recipient of the Ministry of the Attorney General, Award of Distinction and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario award for social change. Most recently, Lanark County Interval House in conjunction with the Ontario Provincial Police and community, received the OPP Accolade Award for the development of the Victim Advocate Program. Erin was a member of the EVA inquest working group after the triple femicide in Renfrew and offered testimony related to rural realities as a neighbouring county. Erin’s advocacy is characterized as solution-focused, mentoring to new advocates and inclusive to all.
Eva Zachary is the Executive Director of Muskoka Victim Services and a long-time advocate for survivors, with more than 15 years of experience in conflict resolution, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, and community collaboration. She holds designations as a Community and Workplace Traumatologist, Trauma Services Specialist, and Compassion Fatigue Educator, and is certified in mediation and critical incident stress management.
Eva is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) with the Office of the Chief Coroner, serves on the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Victim Assistance Committee, and advises the Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers. In her independent practice, she provides mediation services and training to frontline workers and social service providers.
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