‘We think it’s urgent’: Local governments urged to do more to prevent intimate partner violence

A community is preparing to say goodbye at a memorial this week for a mother murdered in Merritt.

As a community prepares to say goodbye at a memorial this week for a mother killed in Merritt, there are calls for local governments across B.C. to do more to prevent intimate partner violence.

A public service for Pamela Jarvis, a devoted mother of six, will be held Friday.

“There’s just not enough words to say how profoundly devastating this is,” said Angela Marie MacDougall, the executive director of Battered Women’s Support Services.

Jarvis, who was 45, was killed Dec. 16, six days after she reportedly contacted Merritt RCMP concerned for her life. A friend said she wanted a separation from her husband.

“It’s just heartbreaking. It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” MacDougall said.

On Tuesday, Jarvis’ husband, Christopher Jarvis, made a brief appearance in provincial court in Merritt. He is charged with second-degree murder in her death and remains in custody.

Battered Women’s Support Services, which is closely following the court case, said since 2023, their organization has been calling on B.C.’s municipal governments, including in Merritt, to do more to stop gender-based violence.

“We think it’s urgent. We think they have a role to play and we think they’re well-positioned to lead in local communities,” said MacDougall.

In an interview with CTV News, MacDougall said local governments should launch public awareness campaigns and designate a staff person to co-ordinate actions.

“How come nobody in municipalities, and I’m talking nobody, is prioritizing intimate partner violence and sexualized violence as a key issue in order to respond to in their communities?” she asked.

Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz was not available for an on-camera interview Tuesday, but told CTV News by email that the city council has asked BWSS to speak to it in 2026 about what the process would look like and “how we can work together to effect meaningful change and work as a team.”

He also said council has been calling on the province to better fund victim services for years.

Meanwhile, the Independent Investigations Office, the police watchdog in B.C., continues to investigate whether police actions or omissions contributed to Pamela Jarvis’ death. The review was triggered by BWSS, which raised questions about whether police decisions made things worse.