Spousal Abuse Rates and Awareness in Canada

Saskatchewan has the highest per capita rate of women in spousal relationships that are escaping abusive situations, according to survey data from 2014. The province is still facing severe issues with domestic violence and spousal abuse and working to find solutions. CBC reporter Madeline Kotzer stated in an article from January, "Saskatchewan has the highest rate of domestic violence among all Canadian provinces."
   
These reports and data show domestic violence and spousal abuse has consistently been an issue within Saskatchewan and in Canada as whole. Kotzer's article states "of intimate partner violence reported to police, Saskatchewan had 5,976 cases in 2015 — taking the top spot with 666 cases per 100,000 people. Ontario, with 12 times the population of Saskatchewan, had the lowest rate, at 226 per 100,000, according to Statistics Canada." Global BC reported "Saskatchewan consistently has the highest domestic violence rate among the provinces." The same article also stated "the Regina Police Service (RPS) has seen a steady increase in domestic conflict calls over the past five years, responding to about 1,000 more calls in 2017 than 2012."

Kotzer's article notes "in Saskatchewan, between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2014, there were 331 homicides. Of these, 48 deaths, or 14.5 per cent, were related to domestic violence." These statistics should not go ignored and illustrate why domestic death and spousal abuse reviews are necessary. An article by Tania Kohut from Global BC was examining a 2016 family violence report, which found "family violence statistics in Canada are staggering." Reports from CBC News show that Saskatchewan did not have any legislation to begin working on a domestic death review until 2015. These reports also highlight that the goal of the domestic death review "is to offer recommendations that will prevent domestic violence deaths in the future."

These reports also allow organizations to identify root causes or issues surrounding domestic violence and spousal abuse. According to another CBC article, "Ontario was the first province to complete a domestic violence death review. From 2003 to 2016, it identified 14 common risk factors that were involved in all cases it reviewed during that time. In 39 per cent of those cases, excessive alcohol and/or drug use was a risk factor."

Global BC also reported "the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is calling on more action to provide more services and education in the workplace for people experiencing intimate partner violence." The domestic death review will allow PATHS to raise awareness and to become more active in promoting education around domestic and spousal abuse. In an article, Kotzer interviewed Jo-Anne Dusel who is a panel member and the executive director for PATHS and she "said one of the recommendations will call for public education on the warning signs of domestic violence."

Superintendent Corey Zaharuck with the RPS was interviewed by Global BC and he "said education and raising awareness is the best tool in combatting the issue." According to both CBC News and Global BC, members of the RPS have been undergoing addition training dealing with domestic violence and spousal abuse. Kotzer also reported that "in November 2017, the Regina Police Service (RPS) announced it was making changes to its domestic violence policing practices. These changes include annual domestic violence training for frontline officers and an updated policy."