WHEREAS every 48-Hours a woman is killed in Canada by her intimate partner;
AND WHEREAS one in five women experience some form of abuse in their intimate relationship; Intimate partner violence (IPV) is physical, sexual and emotional abuse and aggression that occurs in an intimate relationship;
AND WHEREAS on the morning of September 22, 2015, in Ottawa’s Renfrew County, Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam were murdered by a former partner;
AND WHEREAS on June 28, 2022, a five-person jury established as part of a coroner’s inquest into the events of September 22, 2015; Renfrew County delivered 86 recommendations in a unanimous verdict on the deaths of three local women, who were killed by their former partner on a single morning in 2015; the City of Ottawa, Renfrew County, and Lanark County have passed motions declaring an IPV epidemic, and acknowledging the 86 recommendations in the Renfrew County Inquest;
AND WHEREAS specific legislation addressing family and domestic violence has been passed by six provinces and three territories; however, Ontario has not implemented this type of legislation;
AND WHEREAS in Durham Region, the Violence Prevention Coordination Council of Durham (VPCC), which represents 35 local agencies including (and not limited to) Luke’s Place, Herizon House, and the Durham Rape Crisis Centre, has seen a significant increase in demand for assistance from local IPV support providers. Reporting in fiscal year 2021-22, Durham Victim Services supported 4,438 victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) – up 32% over 4 years, and supported 916 victims of Sexual Violence, up 277% over four years.
AND WHEREAS Human Trafficking in Durham Region has risen by more than 320% since 2018. 85% of the victims supported by VSDR are women and children. VSDR alone supported almost 8,000 victims of gender-based violence in Durham in 2021-2022. Another unfortunate trend throughout the Durham Region as the level of brutality increases towards the victims.
AND WHEREAS Durham Region is home to many Indigenous women and girls who are continuing to be disproportionately impacted by violence. 75% of Indigenous females experience sexual violence before age 18, 50% before age 14 and 25% before age 7.
AND WHEREAS accessing shelter in Durham Region is becoming nearly impossible due to the shelters being at capacity. VSDR can access Victim Quick Response funding for eligible victims but this covers only a short term stay in hotel and the maximum amount provided is $150/night. With inflation, there are no longer hotels available at this cost. Leaving some victims with the only option(s) to remain in their IPV situation or become homeless.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
- The Council of the Town of Whitby urge the Ontario Government to declare an IPV epidemic, as per recommendation #1 of the Renfrew County Inquest;
- That the Council of the Town of Whitby urge the Region of Durham to declare an IPV epidemic and integrate IPV into the Region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, as per recommendation #10 of the Renfrew County Inquest; and,
- This motion be distributed to MPP Lorne Coe, the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Provincial Office of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity, Durham Region municipalities, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.