Unsettling news this week from the St. Thomas Police Service related to intimate partner violence (IPV).
Police are seeing a steady increase in both incidents and charges laid over the past three years.
In 2022, there were 683 incidents with 114 resulting in charges.
Last year, the number of incidents had risen to 761 with 157 resulting in charges.
For incidents, that is an 11.4 per cent increase since 2022 and a 37.7 per cent increase in the number of charges laid.
As noted in a media release this week, “To meet this challenge, the St. Thomas Police Service deploys highly trained officers and support staff specializing in IPV investigations.
“Our coordinated approach is led by the Community Patrol Division and Investigative Services Unit and a collaboration with multi-sectoral professionals, like Victim Services Elgin.
“The importance of this work was formally recognized in the 2023-26 Strategic Plan, which identifies domestic violence and violence against women as key priorities for our service.”
