City of Kitchener declares gender-based, intimate partner violence an epidemic

The City of Kitchener has joined dozens of other municipalities in declaringgender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic.

Ontario saw 30 femicides in 30 weeks fromNovember 2022 to June 30, according to a report releasedby the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses in July.

City councillors voted unanimouslyMonday during a city council meeting, joining municipalities like Ottawa, Halton, Toronto and Peel. The motion, tabled by Coun. ChristineMichaud,highlighted that one quarter of all criminal charges laidin 2022 in the region were related to intimate partner violence.

The motion also highlighted local frontline service organizations raisingconcerns about the increased demand for sexual assault support services, while operational funding hasnot increased.

Coun. Aislinn Clancy commended the motion yesterday, saying thenumber of women accessing the shelter system increased during the pandemic.

"It was the most difficult type of situation when people are living contained like that during the hardest time of their life, and the pressure cooker families were under that I think shed a lot light of the gaps that exist," Clancy said.

Coun. Paul Singh saidthough issues like health services and social services fall outside the city's purview, council can play a role in raisingawareness.

"Many things are on the outside of the purview of what this council can effect some change on," he said.

"But that's not to say that it's not our responsibility to access our privilege around this table to point out serious issues and challenges in our communities, in our society as Councillor Michaud's motion is endeavouring to do."

Women's Crisis Services bringing issue to regional council

Jenna Mayne, communications and funds development manager at Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, said Kitchener declaringgender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic shows the city's understandingof how serious the issue is.

"It really brings weight to the problem and highlights the severity of the issue. It brings something that was previously seen as a private matter into the public and it demands some action," she told CBC News.

"The city isrecognizing the issue of violence against women, girls and gender-diverse individuals within the region."

Mayne said in 2022, 383 people stayed at the service's two emergency shelters andover 1,100 people were supported through their outreach services, as well as over2,500 people were helpedthrough the service's support lines.

She said the service is preparing to the bring the issue to regional council in September alongside The Family Violence Project.

Mayne said they will be asking the region to declareintimate partner violence an epidemic andfor it to be integrated inthe region's community safetyand wellbeing plan.

Mayne said that would help bringthe issue into regional discussions,support prevention programsas well as providemore funding for organizations that support women.