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Intimate partner and family violence still on the rise in Saskatchewan

Rates of intimate partner and family violence in Saskatchewan continue to climb steadily, according to the latest data from the RCMP. In 2021, the number of violent crimes committed by perpetrators who were current or former intimate partners or family members accounted for 8,368 offences. That number has gone up each year and in 2024, the data shows there were 9,063 offences, equating to 52 per cent of all reported violence to RCMP in the province last year. The figures are not surprising to those working in victim support services across the province, says Crystal Giesbrecht, the director of research for the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS). 'I think this report confirms some of what we know, what we hear from our member agencies who do the front line work with victims and survivors and backs up the trends we've seen in other research in previous years. It's very concerning that Saskatchewan continues to have these high rates of intimate partner and family violence,' says Giesbrecht. 'Not only have (frontline workers) been hearing from more victims who are experiencing intimate partner violence, but also that those victims and survivors are experiencing more severe forms of violence,' she says. Increase severity of violence Severe forms of intimate partner and family violence can include assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm and aggravated assault, says the RCMP. The total number of assaults with a weapon or causing bodily harm has increased 73 per cent from 2,323 offences in 2015 to 4,049 in 2024, the data shows. Dating relationships were the most common type of intimate relationship to report incidents of violence, making up 60 per cent of cases, according to an RCMP news release accompanying the data. The RCMP also notes that non-consensual distribution of intimate images involving current or former partners went up by 60 per cent. There were 33 victims who reported in 2023 while 53 victims reported in 2024. Rates for violence perpetuated by partners and family had the highest reports in the RCMP's north district, with regions from Prince Albert and northward making up 54 per cent of those cases, the data shows. The central district and south district made up the remaining 24 and 20 per cent of intimate partner and family violence, respectively. Accessing resources Accessing resources can be more difficult for survivors in northern regions of the province, says Giesbrecht, noting leaving the community and culture, finding transportation and securing alternative shelter can all be barriers. Regina-based shelter SOFIA House has 39 long-term stay apartments to help survivors build their life back up after leaving an abusive situation, and it is almost always at capacity, says its executive director, Christa Baron. 'That speaks to the obvious point that the need is urgent and it continues to be ongoing,' said Baron about its waitlist of clients to support. 'Especially speaking from Sophia House's perspective, not just immediate shelter, but long-term, life-supporting shelter.' If you are or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner and/or family violence, call 310-RCMP or contact Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or to report it. Call 911 in an emergency. Related Shift in cause of intimate partner violence in Sask. is troubling How to spot the signs of an abusive relationship nyking@ The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.