Domestic violence a serious crime in York Region
By Jon Yaneff

As York Regional Police detailed at a recent presentation on domestic violence, it is the largest problem they face.

In 2007, there were 4,225 domestic violence occurrences in York, with about 1,300 (1,039 males and 277 females) charges resulting. Also 62.5 per cent of the homicides in York were related to domestic violence.

These statistics were a main reason police view domestic violence is a serious crime, as they described things that could be done to prevent it. Domestic violence is a problem in current and former relationships of husband and wife, commonlaw or married and even same-sex partners.

Superintendent Paul Pedersen said this crime is about power and control, where one person tries to exert power over another person in a relationship. On average, there are 35 assaults toward the victim before police are called to deal with it.

In York, 85 per cent of domestic violence cases involve women. Only 37 per cent of domestic violence cases are reported to the police.

"Often times domestic violence is caused by self esteem problems with the offender and they are trying to act out with their control over another person," said Pedersen. "It's a myth that drugs and alcohol cause domestic violence. The most significant impacts are injury and death, as well as children becoming victims and future offenders."

"There's also a spill of domestic violence into the workplace where everybody is impacted in that working atmosphere," he added.

Detective Kim Killby said once a domestic violence occurrence has been reported, the investigation begins.

"Our communications dispatch are trained in domestic violence and they have a checklist," she said. "This might include who is involved, to ask whether there are injuries and if ambulances are necessary. Also if weapons are involved and whether or not there is access to fire arms, as well as if there has been previous contact with the couple."

At the scene of the crime, a thorough investigation then begins, as sometimes the officers know a lot and sometimes they don't. The calls are always considered emergencies and are given top priority. As the investigation gets underway, it has to be established whether it is criminal or non-criminal, and whether domestics or physical fighting is taking place.

Pedersen said the expense to the Canadian society for domestic violence cases involves medical, the judicial system and prison costs, which come to about $4 billion a year.

There is always a long process in these cases, with extensive investigations involving interviews, warrants as well as other highrisk factors in each specialized cases.

Killby stated that children also play a vital factor in domestic violence cases, with about 70 per cent of children who see or hear the effects of domestic violence in their families.

"Children who are exposed to this trauma on an on-going basis are at risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder," she said. "Sometimes we hear that the children are asleep, but the reality is most of these children aren't asleep and because of the stress on a daily basis, which means they are at risk of suffering permanent psychological damage."

Statistics also show that offenders are 50 per cent likely of abusing their children along with their spouses. When damage is done to children under the age of 16, the Children's Aid Society is contacted to reach out and assist these families.

Killby said police encourage victims of domestic violence to seek counselling or reach out to women's shelters and ensure they have a safety plan in place, in case they have to quickly leave their home one day.

Children's Aid of York Region, the Yellow Brick House Shelters and public education programs are among the support groups and programs for children and women.

There are currently onestop family justice centres in Waterloo and San Diego, Calif., which bring together different social services from children's to women's shelter groups to prosecutors, the crown attorney, the police, as all of the agencies work together under one roof.

"This is a long-term project and something that will take several years to build with more funding and support, but a family justice centre will eventually come to York Region," said Pedersen.

Pedersen said the community could help with domestic violence by looking for early warning signs, specifically from women who are becoming withdrawn and may have unexplained injuries.

"The community can be supportive to these women and help them recognize that the domestic violence against them is not their fault," he said. "Also this isn't just a problem between husband and wife, it's a community problem."