December 2024 Board of Health Meeting - Intimate Partner/Gender Based Violence Resolution

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines intimate partner violence as behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours. This definition covers violence by both current and former spouses and partners. In 2018, the topic of violence was added to the Ontario Public Health Standards, acknowledging it as a public health priority and requiring boards of health to assess local risks and prevention factors through collaboration with local partners. 

Anyone can experience domestic violence, regardless of age, race, economic status, religion, sexual orientation or education. While men can experience intimate partner violence, women experience it at a higher rate. Women and children with intersectional identities may be at greater risk of intimate partner violence. 

In 2022, Ontario’s chief coroner published the results of a jury inquest into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam, all of whom were killed by the same perpetrator on September 22, 2015. The inquiry result included 86 recommendations to address the systemic conditions with the intention of preventing future cases. Recommendations included enhanced education and awareness, provincial regulatory recognition, investment in prevention initiatives, training for law enforcement and emergency responders, and required registries for repeat offenders.

Key statistics on Intimate Partner Violence and Gender Based Violence:

• The Statistics Canada 2023 Crime Severity Index (CSI) indicated that Windsor and Amherstburg’s crime severity index increased by 4.8%, the violent crime severity index increased by 15.5%, and the non-violent crime severity index increased by 0.6% from 2022.  ^[1]
  • Compared with data from 2022, Windsor and Amherstburg saw higher rates of assaults (up 16%). Of the total number of assaults reported, 45% were related to intimate partner violence.^[2]
• The WHO estimates that 26% of women have been subjected to physical and or sexual violence from a current or former male intimate partner at least once in their lifetime.^[3]
• In Canada in 2019, of the 107,810 people aged 15 and over who experienced intimate partner
• violence 79% were women. ^[4]
  • Approximately once a week in Canada, a woman is killed by her male partner. ^[5]
• Intimate partner violence costs Canadian taxpayers billions of dollars each year. ^[6]
• Indigenous women are 3 times more likely to experience violent victimization than non-Indigenous women and are 2.5 times more likely to experience spousal violence.^[7]
• Eighty percent of survivors of intimate partner violence tell family or friends of their situation, only 30 percent report the abuse to the police.^[8]

PROPOSED MOTION

Whereas, the WECHU believes that everyone has the right to live in safety and with dignity, free from intimidation and the threat of violence; and

Whereas, the Ontario Public Health Standards requires boards of health, based on local evidence, to address violence through public health interventions including collaboration and advocacy; and

Whereas, the elements of proposed Bill 173, the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024, would establish provincial recognition that intimate partner violence is at crisis level in Ontario; and

Whereas, Windsor and Essex County residents and families have lived experience with intimate partner violence as a complex, multi-faceted issue that requires our community to address the root causes while simultaneously supporting survivors and families;

Now therefore be it resolvedthat the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health urges the Province of Ontario to implement a meaningful and sustained society-wide response to intimate partner violence and gender-based violence; and 

FURTHER THAT, Windsor and Essex County municipalities address gender based and intimate partner violence prevention within their provincially legislated community safety and well-being plans; and

FURTHER THAT, intimate partner violence, gender based, and family violence prevention is funded provincially to ensure the necessary ongoing investment of resources to support an effective public health approach to addressing violence in Ontario’s communities; and 

FURTHER THAT, the WECHU endorses calls for the provincial government to address intimate partner and gender based through legislative action.