Longueuil police and women's shelters are teaming up to provide a new tool to help women in high-risk situations of conjugal violence.
Women deemed to be "at high risk" will now be getting a portable panic button they can use at home and activate if they think their life is in danger.
Police will be sent directly to the woman's address knowing their history with their ex.
One of the handful of women who'll be using the panic button told reporters she'd feel safer with the device for herself and her six-year-old child knowing her ex is being released from prison soon after serving a sentence for assault.
"It's a way to be safer at home," said the woman who cannot be identified.
Police said the device is a supplement to 911.
"The difference is, if you're not beside your phone, it's very quick," said spokesman Jean-Pierre Voutsinos.
Pavillon Marguerite de Champlain women's shelter & resource center is one of @PoliceSPAL partners. Director Deborah Pearson says this panic button will be a great help. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/eRQ3NnBZjx
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) March 26, 2018
The Pavillon Marguerite de Champlain is one of the women's shelters and resource centers involved in the new protocol with police.
"If the man who has charges against him does not respect those conditions that are put in place, and he keeps repeating the same type of behaviours, that puts the woman at risk," said director Deborah Pearson.
"It's an added security for sure if there's elements of risk. I think it's an individual choice for women."
Montreal and Laval have similar systems in place.