Increase in cases in the one year since Greater Sudbury declared IPV an epidemic

It’s been just more than a year since Greater Sudbury declared intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic.

Det. Sgt. Lee Rinaldi said calls related to IPV have been rising for the last four years. In all of 2023, there were 2,065 IPV calls, while as of Oct. 31 this year, that number was already at 2,332.

YWCA Sudbury executive director Marlene Gorman said it’s been a difficult year for services that provide support to women who have experienced IPV, which she said is a systemic problem. (Photo from video)

"We're seeing the vast majority of our charges in relation to breaching court-ordered conditions," Rinaldi said.

"Followed shortly thereafter by assaults and mischiefs. But certainly, bail compliance and warrant apprehension are very important to Greater Sudbury Police Service and we continue to focus on those areas and to ensure not only the victim safety, but to hold offenders accountable."

Rinaldi said increased training for officers and education for the community has been a huge focus for the force.

"We're also looking to increase the training in our officers for awareness in intimate partner violence with what constitutes healthy relationships, and push that information out to the community," he said.

"Making sure we understand the difficulties and barriers that people are facing when reaching out to police and then ensuring that our officers, when they're delivering their service, are doing so in a victim-centered focus."

YWCA Sudbury executive director Marlene Gorman said it’s been a difficult year for services that provide support to women who have experienced IPV, which she said is a systemic problem.

Difficult to address locally

"It's hard locally to address those underlying issues that perpetuate violence against women issues around homelessness -- that's the biggest piece when you operate a shelter because we're always full because people cannot afford homes," Gorman said.

While the provincial government has made some investments, she said that money is limited to two to four years.

"What we need is ongoing, sustainable funding," Gorman said.

"Our shelters are running with no increase in ongoing operating funding. And our shelter workers are the backbone of this organization, and they should be paid a living wage."

Since the declaration, Gorman said she has seen some improvements in terms of communication and collaboration locally, noting that she will be meeting with the mayor soon to discuss the issues.

She said it has created more awareness in the community overall about IPV.

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