Intimate partner violence continues to rise in Peel Region

One year after Peel Region declared intimate partner violence an epidemic, advocates warn that cases are continuing to rise.

The numbers are concerning, said Sharon Mayne, CEO of Catholic Family Services, Peel-Dufferin, which leads the Safe Centre of Peel.

The centre, based in Brampton, is a collective of 24 partner agencies who work collaboratively to support survivors of intimate partner violence. And last year, the organization saw a 270 per cent increase in the number of women who walked through their doors without a referral. 

According to Statistics Canada, in 2022, 59 per cent of female homicides in the country were due to family violence. 

"We're talking about very large numbers," Mayne said. 

"It's just really important for women out there to know that they're not alone, that they're not the only one experiencing this, that there are many women and many families who are struggling with this issue."

The Safe Centre of Peel is among the organizations and communities across Ontario that recognize every November as Woman Abuse Prevention Month.

Services at the Safe Centre include crisis and high-risk case management, system navigation, housing assistance, multicultural services, legal support, parenting support and child welfare all under one roof.

"A woman who visits only needs to remember one person's name and that's their navigator," said Mayne.

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Peel Children's Aid Society (CAS) is also on the front lines of the crisis. Its CEO says intimate partner violence is the main reason for referrals to its organization, representing roughly one-third of all referrals and 58 per cent of referrals from police.

"In 2022-2023, we were at 29 per cent and last year we increased to 36 per cent," said CEO Mary Beth Moellenkamp.

"We know that this is a growing concern for the children and families that we're servicing and we also know that to keep children safe, you have to keep women safe," she said.

Year over year, she said, referrals related to intimate partner violence also continue to increase in risk and severity. 

Moellenkamp says Peel CAS has developed an intimate partner violence strategy to support families experiencing violence. Key elements of the strategy include building capacity across the agency, enhancing services to support survivors and engaging fathers who have perpetrated violence.

The Safe Centre announced plans to expand to a second location in Mississauga, co-locating with Peel CAS in its building. This move was partly a response to a large number of women in Mississauga who require services but have difficulty accessing transportation to Brampton.

• Peel Region declares intimate partner violence an epidemic, asks Ontario to do the same

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"Having a space where women can come in and tell their story only once helps to ensure their safety, but also alleviates some of the trauma that they've been exposed to," said Moellenkamp.

The new centre is set to open in June 2025.

Deepa Mattoo, executive director and lawyer at Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, based in Toronto, applauds the expansion.

"It's beautiful to see that there is another collaboration of various organizations coming together," Mattoo said, adding it's important Woman Abuse Prevention Month is recognized and discussed every year.

"It's sombre yet celebratory," Mattoo said.

"It's sombre because we know that women are dying as we speak ... but it's celebratory at the same time because we're saying we are not accepting this, and we are ready to recognize this as a problem and fight until every woman is safe."

She says she hopes it also encourages the public to educate themselves about intimate partner violence.

"Learn about the experience of violence," she said. "It is not only physical and it is not only psychological, it is a lot deeper than that."

Mattoo says she hopes the growing number of available resources helps those experiencing violence feel less alone.

"We want you to take your time, but also know that your life, your own safety, is the most important thing," she said.

Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1.866.863.0511