Town where Walsh family killings took place wants Ontario to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic

WARNING: This story contains discussion of intimate partner violence and suicide.

In the wake of the deaths of members of the Walsh family in Harrow, Essex town council is sending a letter to the Ontario government, asking that femicide be declared an epidemic. 

Essex Coun. Kim Verbeek brought forward the motion this week — and it passed. Femicide is broadly defined as the killing of women because of their gender and intimate partner violence (IPV).

Carly Walsh and her two children, Madison and Hunter, were found dead with gunshot wounds in their home in late June. The body of Steven Walsh, the husband and father, was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Ontario Provincial Police investigators have listed it as a case of intimate partner violence.

"The truth is, you can't properly address what you don't acknowledge in name," Verbeek said.

The town is sending the same letter it's forwarding to Queen's Park to other municipalities, asking them to also declare femicide as an epidemic.

"Over 100 municipalities have already made the declaration," added Verbeek.

WATCH | Ontario could declare intimate partner violence an epidemic:

Ontario could declare intimate partner violence an epidemic

8 months ago

Duration 2:44

Ontario's Progressive Conservative government is supporting an NDP bill that could see intimate partner violence declared an epidemic. Some advocates say it's a small but important step toward solving a systemic issue.

She said police forces and service providers across Ontario are already calling it an epidemic and the government should too.

"By the province declaring that it's an epidemic, it will recognize the pervasiveness and the severity of the problem, and it sends a message that the problem and the solutions will be taken seriously."

Bill 173, known as the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, is currently in second reading at the Ontario Legislature.

WATCH | At what point does an argument turn into abuse?:

At what point does an argument turn into abuse?

4 months ago

Duration 0:52

Joyce Zuk is executive director of Family Services Windsor-Essex. She joined Windsor Morning's Amy Dodge to talk about intimate partner violence and abuse.

The executive director of Family Services Windsor-Essex oversees both mandatory and voluntary programming for men that's aimed at preventing violence.

"We talk about the fact that anger is something that is normal … but what we want to help the participants in the group to understand is the difference between when we're having feelings of anger, and then the difference when we act upon those feelings and ... translate into violence," Joyce Zuk previously told CBC News.

The programming is rooted in reaching out to people to offer proactive support, "because in these situations, we know that … people can't wait."

For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.
• Those in the Windsor-Essex area of Ontario can also call Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's 24-hour crisis line: 519-973-4435.