Lethbridge faces critical shortage of resources for victims of domestic violence, officials say

This story is part of Stopping Domestic Violence, a CBC News series looking at the crisis of intimate partner violence in Canada and what can be done to end it. 

Police, social agencies and elected officials in Lethbridge say they're doing their best to respond to a growing number of domestic violence complaints. However, a shortage of shelter beds, longer-term housing and treatment services means more women and children are being turned away.

Statistics Canada says Lethbridge, which has a population of 101,000, had the highest number of police-reported intimate partner violence cases in the country in 2018. It recorded 586 victims per 100,000 population.  

That's an ignominious statistic no city wants, yet social agencies believe the problem could actually be much worse, considering not all victims of domestic violence, overwhelmingly women, report the abuse to police.

Just one in six of the women who turn up at the city's emergency shelter for women say they filed a report with police, according to the YWCA, which runs the city's only women's emergency shelter.

"That means the numbers reported to police are grossly under what is actually occurring in Lethbridge," said Shannon Hansen, the YWCA's chief executive officer.

Hansen says there are a number of reasons why women don't report the abuse: they feel it could make the situation with their partner much worse or think police won't believe them.

The shelter, with 24 beds, is often at capacity and is forced to turn women away — although Hansen says staff always check with shelters in other communities, including Pincher Creek and Taber, to see if there are any available beds to help women in crisis.

Economy, opioid epidemic

Hansen believes the weak economy and the "opioid epidemic" are two factors that are putting pressure on families and couples.

"We've had an increase of social need due to the opioid epidemic, and that has had a huge impact on domestic violence in the city of Lethbridge."

She says the shelter isn't big enough to accommodate women who are experiencing violence, and plans are underway to explore a possible expansion.

She says 60 more beds are needed to accommodate women fleeing abuse and another 60 beds to help women in the same situation but who are also struggling with addictions.

She says many of those women are self-medicating to cope with the abuse.

Hansen says it's untenable for clients without addictions and their children to be in the shelter with women who are actively using drugs. It means some people are turned away and may end up back with their abuser.

"So the consequence, I think, is dire for Lethbridge not to have a solution, in that respect, and there's only so much you can do."

High numbers, high confidence

Bill Kaye says there's a silver lining to the data that shows Lethbridge leads the country in reported cases of intimate partner violence.

The former city cop, who runs the Domestic Violence Action Team, says the high rate shows that victims are more willing to report abuse because they have confidence in how they'll be treated and how the allegations will be investigated.

"People are more likely to come forward when they know there's a network there to help them," said Kaye.

"It's encouraging that we have more reports here because until it's reported, we can't help people until they come forward."

What's discouraging, he says, is the high caseload, which he calls an epidemic that takes up a lot of time and resources in the community.

Equally disheartening, he says, is how many more children are witnessing and learning abusive behaviour in their homes and how intervention services will be needed to break the cycle of violence within those families.

"It's going to take a number of years before we can actually make a difference," said Kaye.

Domestic violence rates decreasing

Lethbridge police are urging caution when using statistics that show the city leads the country in the number of reported cases of intimate partner violence.

Police say every single domestic-related incident is counted, regardless of whether a charge is laid.

"For our statistics, we look at every domestic-related occurrence and those are incorporated into our statistics," said Sgt. Saska Vanhala with the violent and domestic crimes units.

"Our rate of domestic violence reported to us is actually decreasing," he said. 

Vanhala says the domestic crimes unit is made up of one sergeant and two constables.

He says police understand not all women will report the abuse they're experiencing. He says training for officers in how to deal with victims is constantly evolving and it has taken more of what he calls a 'trauma-informed perspective' when it comes to conducting interviews.

"Realizing the impact of trauma on people, how it affects their memory, their cognitive ability, their ability to recall what's happened and, more importantly, how we treat victims and survivors as they navigate through the justice system," he said.

'Can no longer ignore Lethbridge'

The mayor of Lethbridge says his community has a plan to help address domestic violence but there's only so much it can do without support from the provincial government.

The city has contributed to a feasibility study to look at options for the YWCA to expand its emergency women's shelter, but resources are limited.

"We are the third largest city in Alberta and we don't have the social supports to deal with poverty and people in need," said Chris Spearman.

He says the drug crisis has impacted families who may be experiencing domestic violence or are at greater risk of harm.

Spearman says the province recently announced funding for a supportive housing project for 42 people with mental illness but construction isn't expected to begin until sometime in 2021.

"If we get the resources in the same proportion that they're available in Calgary and Edmonton, yes, we will make a difference, but you can't continue to ignore Lethbridge," he said.

If you need help and are in immediate danger, call 911. To find assistance in your area, visit sheltersafe.ca or http://endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help