Recently, the issue of domestic violence in Airdrie has gained much attention, and at last night's (June 5) City Council meeting, a local panel presented on the levels of service response to domestic violence.

Commanding officer of the Airdrie RCMP detachment Sgt. Kim Pasloske, Executive Director of ADVAS Angela Wright, and Community Links Executive Director Brenda Hume presented to Council on the continuous care they provide to victims of domestic violence when those incidents occur. The panel emphasized that their top priority is ensuring that no victim falls through the cracks.

Sgt. Pasloske began explaining the RCMP's response to domestic violence by offering their definition of domestic violence. She said that their definition is any domestic disharmony where an intimate partner relationship experiences friction. This is a broad definition that includes a spectrum ranging from a couple arguing over groceries to someone being hospitalized. Pasloske explained that the RCMP treats each of those cases equally, as there's no telling when a situation might escalate.

Pasloske also addressed recent reporting that said Airdrie experiences four times the number of domestic violence incidents compared to the provincial average, coming from a gender-based study on domestic violence that was presented at the last City Council meeting. Pasloske explained that that number is somewhat misleading, as it compares what the RCMP classifies as domestic violence with the City Police definition. Pasloske said when numbers from Airdrie's RCMP are compared with other municipalities' stats coming from the RCMP, Airdrie is still higher than the average, but only by 21 percent as opposed to 400 percent.

Pasloske also explained that the City of Airdrie is in some ways at the forefront of addressing domestic violence. Airdrie was one of the first communities to establish a domestic violence court, and the RCMP has a dedicated unit of three officers to deal with domestic violence. All members also receive extensive training to deal with these cases.

Wright explained that ADVAS staff and volunteers are also specially trained to deal with domestic violence as they provide support to victims. She explained they see their role as part of a partnership with both the RCMP and with Community Links, taking referrals of clients from the detachment and helping people find support with Community Links.

"I can speak on behalf of ADVAS that we’re pretty confident that the people affected by domestic violence, if they decide to reach out for help, they are receiving a solid response from these three organizations,” said Wright

Hume said the role of Community Links primarily includes awareness, prevention, intervention, and outreach. A main tool is counseling for families and individuals dealing with domestic violence, as well as education that addresses the root causes.

The panel agreed that they see partnership between agencies as a key strength and an ongoing necessity to combat domestic violence in Airdrie.

The report provided at the last Council meeting identified the lack of an emergency shelter in Airdrie as a key gap in service. Councillor Candice Kolson raised this question to the panel and asked about funding from the provincial government. Sgt. Pasloske explained that the province has largely stopped funding emergency shelters, preferring a housing first approach that provides long term third stage housing over shelters. Hume added that currently, Airdrie Housing Ltd. offers one third stage housing unit which has varying availability.

The Council unanimously accepted the presentation for information.

 

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