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.
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Last month, our officers fielded 343 calls regarding intimate partner violence (IPV), compared with 279 calls in January 2020. In the same time period, we made 83 IPV arrests, 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 (an increase of 142 per cent).
Tragically, January is not an anomaly. Our analyses indicate that this is a continuation of a trend of an increasing frequency and severity of intimate partner violence incidents in the community over the course of the pandemic. If this trend continues, our officers will attend more than 4,000 intimate partner violence incidents by the end of this year. What is particularly concerning is that we recognize that all forms of family violence are under-reported.
Together, we must stand in solidarity to help end intimate partner violence, because a life without violence is the only life to live. As a community, we must look out for our neighbours, relatives, friends, and co-workers, especially if you suspect they may not be safe at home. We urge victims or friends/family of victims to contact the Halton Regional Police Service, Halton Women's Place or other community resources if intimate partner violence is happening. Shelters across Halton are still open at this time and Halton Women's Place continues to offer services. Shelters have taken precautions related to COVID-19 to ensure that no one is forced to choose between their safety and their health. Help is available.
If you see something, say something. Someone’s life may depend on it.
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Every person has the right to feel safe in our community.
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)
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