Airdrie experiences as much as four times the Alberta average of domestic violence cases.

That was one of the shocking findings that City Council heard on Monday (May 15) from a gender-based study on domestic violence, which a visibly emotional Councillor Ron Chapman said was, "Hard to read, it was harder to hear it."

The study, presented by Irene Hoffart of Synergy Research Group and Brigitte Baradoy of Onward, was meant to be the first step and foundation for the City to address domestic violence.

Other finding presented by Hoffart and Baradoy include that Airdrie's population growth has contributed to domestic violence. As the population grows, so does the incidence of family violence. The age of Airdrie's adults, with the majority in their early 20's to early 40's, is also congruent with the age that family violence most commonly occurs. With the age of Airdrie's children, Hoffart and Baradoy say Airdrie could also see an increase in domestic violence in ten years.

Airdrie has services to address domestic violence, but they currently experience greater demand than they can manage. Hoffart and Baradoy noted that one significant exception is that Airdrie does not have any kind of shelter for victims fleeing domestic violence, and in those cases, services in Calgary are difficult to access.

They also cited RCMP statistics that show that Airdrie has seen a 56 per cent increase in spousal abuse incidents in 2016 compared to 2012.

After the presentation, a passionate Councillor Allan Hunter asked what the City could do to do address the issue. Hoffart and Baradoy suggested that a community plan is the first and most important step, and that community service providers need to be included in discussions on the issue. Patti Murray, Manager of Recreation, Culture and Social Sustainability, said City of Airdrie administration suggested that such a community plan would be a three year action plan. Probed by Mayor Peter Brown, Murray said that community agencies would need to decide what the priorities are around this issue, and that needs to happen before any action is taken.

Hoffart and Baradoy also said that the City's role should be as a catalyst on this issue, a sentiment echoed by Murray.

"This is not work that the City typically gets involved in. Rather, we see our role as being one of the supportive players in helping move the agenda forward."

The discussion then turned to short term fixes while a long term solution can be figured out. Councillors expressed a sense of urgency on the matter, saying three years would be too long when there are already families in danger. In response to a question by Councillor Hunter, Hoffart and Baradoy said one immediate action that can be taken is to build a shelter.

Crystal Boys of Airdrie Power was in attendence at the meeting, and had mixed feelings about the proceedings. On the one hand, she was pleased that the City is at least talking about the issue of domestic violence. 

"I'm extremely happy that they're so willing to acknowledge that there is a need for a shelter here and that they're willing to do whatever it takes to get it done."

Boys did express frustration that much of the debate around building a shelter seemed to exclude her organization. Airdrie Power exists to build a shelter in Airdrie, and Boys says they are ready to move ahead. All they need is funding and a location. Boys said the City has been supportive of their work in the past, and she hopes they can work with the City to see a shelter built.

Ultimately, Council voted unanimously to use the study to guide the development of community priorities, roles and strategies in addressing domestic violence and expedite the three year action plan as soon as possible.

 

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