Halton police respond to 343 calls regarding intimate partner violence in one month

Published February 3, 2021 at 1:52 pm

Last month, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) 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.

Police say officers were dispatched and arrived at the residence.

Nothing could be seen or heard from the house which was in total darkness, according to police.

Officers gained entry to the house and located a male, as well as his common-law partner who had multiple red marks and bruising on her upper body, police say, before learning that the male had been drinking for several hours during the evening.

According to police, two children in the home reported hearing slapping, yelling and loud noises throughout the remainder of the night until police intervened.

Police say the male was arrested soon after and transported to Central Lock-Up.

The Halton Regional Police Service Intimate Partner Violence Unit then took over the investigation.

The accused was charged with assault, assault causing bodily harm (choking) and forcible confinement, according to police.

Police say the female party was admitted to the hospital for her injuries and was referred to the Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit, which connects victims to support services in the community, assists with victim care, and can provide immediate short-term financial support toward essential expenses for victims of violent crime, through the Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP+).

Last month, officers fielded 343 calls regarding intimate partner violence (IPV), in comparison to 279 calls in January 2020.

In the same time period, officers 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. This indicates 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,” said HRPS in a release.

“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,” said HRPS.

“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,” said HRPS, urging victims or friends and 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 remain open and Halton Women’s Place continues to offer services.

Precautions have been taken in shelters amid the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that no one is forced to choose between their safety and their health.

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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