St. Thomas has joined 72 other municipalities across the province in declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic in the community.
City council unanimously endorsed the motion at the April 15th meeting.
It was based on a letter sent to council by Jodi Marissen urging members to make the declaration on behalf of “the women and children of the City of St. Thomas who have died at the hands of their abusers.”
She noted in 2019, the St. Thomas Police Service reported over 800 domestic violence incidents.
Her letter was supported by St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp who confirmed in 2023, there was a 9.5 per cent increase in responding to matters of intimate partner violence and/or gender-based violence.
After investigating, they resulted in 221 criminal charges in 2023, a 30.7 per cent increase over the previous year.
Roskamp advised, “There has been a steady and concerning rise in intimate partner violence throughout Ontario in recent years, including in the City of St. Thomas.”
As background, Roskamp confirmed the police service has “highly trained and skilled police officers and support staff who have Ministry accreditation in the investigation of IPV/GBV matters.”
The police service 2023-26 Strategic Plan outlines domestic violence and violence against women “as a community concern and therefore was included as a priority objective for our consistent attention.”
Late last year the service successfully applied for a Victim Support Grant from the province.
And the service has just rolled out its RISE program which supports survivors and empowers voices.
Roskamp concluded with, “There should be no question, the post-pandemic environment has exacerbated socio-economic impacts that have required responses from a complex consortium of health, social and justice sector professionals.
In urging council to endorse the declaration Marissen, who is a victim herself stressed, “Do this for the Keiras, the Tanyas, the women and children who no longer can lead this fight because their lives were tragically taken from them at the hands of their abusers.”
Victim Services Elgin offer support services and can be reached at 519-631-3182 or by email at info@victimserviceselgin.com.
