This story contains details of intimate partner violence and violence against children.
THUNDER BAY — It's been a month since the city has declared intimate partner violence an epidemic.
The one-month mark coincided with devastating news out of Sault Ste. Marie when a man fatally shot his three children, killed a 41-year-old woman and wounded another woman Monday night before then fatally turned the weapon on himself.
These fatal incidents in another northern Ontario city showcase that violence between partners and within families is extensive and requires action on multiple levels.
Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre executive director Gwen O'Reilly was part of the delegation that presented local statistics.
In Thunder Bay in 2022, there were 2,300 calls for service regarding intimate partner violence. In stark contrast, there were only 703 charges from reported incidents under all Criminal Code charge sections, according to the group's presentation at city hall.
"We know already in Ontario there have been 46 femicides up to September, and so this [shooting] is going to increase that count," says O'Reilly.
She also noted that penalties aren't consistent for these charges or how victims are treated.
"For every lawyer, for every justice of the peace, for every judge, for every crown, for every police officer, they need to understand that they need a trauma-informed response when they're dealing with women around intimate partner violence, they need to believe women," O'Reilly said, adding that some victims have vowed not to call police again or return to court because of how they were treated.
She said there aren't consistent criminal sanctions, and the judicial system is overburdened.
"If we want to change this, it's going to take some significant changes. Like significant changes to systems, to laws, to resources for housing, for organizations that do this work," she said.
O'Reilly uses a standardized risk assessment form when providing support. The first question asks the victim if they've suffered from violent acts from their intimate partner.
"There is between a 30 to 70 per cent chance that somebody will re-offend if they've committed violence against a partner, and they do that whether or not they've been charged," she said.
Soo Today has reported that the gunman in Sault Ste. Marie was involved in previous intimate partner violence investigations, and police attended a call involving the shooter for an incident “that could be perceived as domestic violence” days before the heinous shootings.
Even though the city declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic is mainly symbolic, it can add pressure on the provincial government to take action.
O'Reilly says groups like women's centre need to be included in future discussions on action.
"We also really, really need the justice system to work directly with community partners and to take us seriously and to understand that we know the risks that women are facing," she said.
If you or someone you know needs assistance regarding intimate partner violence, many agencies in Thunder Bay can help.
Beendigan can provide temporary shelter for Indigenous women and their children. Faye Peterson House is also a shelter for survivors/women and children who have left or are leaving abusive situations.
There are also various helplines available, including;
Talk4Healing for Indigenous Women 1-855-554-4325
Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511
Fem'aide Helpline 1-877-336-2433
