Intimate Partner Violence in Halton is trending upwards and that is not a good thing.
The Halton Police says that in January 2021, officers fielded 343 calls regarding intimate partner violence (IPV). That is compared with 279 calls in January 2020. In the same time period, 83 IPV arrests were made, compared with 51 IPV arrests in January 2020. A total of 206 IPV-related charges were laid in January 2021, compared with 85 IPV-related charges in January 2020. That’s an increase of 142%.
The HRPS says this has been ongoing upward trend and that has them concerned. According to the Halton Police, if this trend continues, its officers will attend more than 4,000 intimate partner violence incidents by the end of this year. What is more concerning is that it is widely regarded that all forms of family violence are under-reported.
A case from January is highlighted in a report. It follows as such:
“Last month, the Halton Regional Police Service received an early morning 9-1-1 call from an individual reporting that a male was assaulting a female in a residence, and that help was urgently needed.
“Officers were dispatched and arrived at the residence. Nothing could be seen or heard from the house which was in total darkness. Officers gained entry to the house and soon located a male, as well as his common-law partner who had multiple red marks and bruising on her upper body.
“Officers learned that the male party had been drinking for several hours during the evening. Two children in the home reported hearing slapping, yelling and loud noises throughout the remainder of the night until police intervened.
“The male was arrested soon after and subsequently transported to Central Lock Up. Thereafter, the Halton Regional Police Service Intimate Partner Violence Unit took carriage of the investigation. The accused was charged with Assault, Assault Causing Bodily Harm (Choking), and Forcible Confinement.
“The female party was admitted to hospital for her injuries and was referred to the Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit.
“The Victim Services Unit connects victims to appropriate support services in the community, assists with victim care, and, through the Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP+), can provide immediate short-term financial support toward essential expenses for victims of violent crime.”
Remember: you are not alone. Victims of intimate partner violence or sexual assault and witnesses are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. The following is a list of valuable support services and resources in Halton Region for victims of intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence:
- Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit 905-825-4777
- Halton Women’s Place 905-878-8555 (north) or 905-332-7892 (24-hour crisis line)
- Halton Children’s Aid Society 905-333-4441 or 1-866-607-5437
- Nina’s Place Sexual Assault and Domestic Assault Care Centre 905-336-4116 or 905-681-4880
- Thrive Counselling 905-637-5256 or 905-845-3811
- Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) 905-875-1555 (24-hour crisis line)
