Police grapple with high rates of domestic violence

In the wake of last week's mass murders, Edmonton police are talking about how to better protect victims of domestic violence.

Thuy Tien Truong had long suffered abuse at the hands of her husband and killer,Phu Lam.

Lam threatened to kill TienTruong and her whole family in 2012, but charges of assault, sexual assault and seven counts of uttering death threats were stayed after TienTruong recanted her statement.

Staff Sgt. Sean Armstrong, of the domestic offender crimes section, says once that happens police intervention and support must end.

"They've decided not to keep engaged with us in the process, he said. They've decided not to keep using our services and eventually we have to respect that.

We have to make sure its a fully informed decision that they make. But they do make that decision. And we have to live with it."

In each of the past three years, Edmonton police have responded to more than 7,500 calls related to domestic violence.

At a news conference Tuesday, Armstrong saidEPSofficers responded to 15 domestic violence calls last weekend alone, some involving intoxicated partners and weapons.

Victim recanted to protect children

One woman who agreed to tell CBC News her story of abuse said years ago she recanted her statementof abuse in order to protect her children.

"I am a survivor of domestic violence," said the woman, whom CBC has chosen not toidentify.

Throughout her marriage, she lived in fear, terrified her husband would act on his threats, she said.

"He threatened to pack my kids in the station wagon and run them down to the river."

One day after her husband struck her, her daughter called the police, but the woman refused to involve them.

"If I let the police charge him, I put myself at risk too. And if anything happens to me, nobody is going to look after my children.

"That is what I was afraid of."

The woman eventually escaped the abusive relationship, but to this day regrets not pressing charges.

Even if people aren'tcomfortable going to the police, she urges them to try and get help wherever they can.

"Holding back inside is not a good thing."

Police also urgevictims of domestic violence and anyone who sees the signs not to turn a blind eye, but to reach out to one of the agencies in our city for support.