By Khang Nguyen

Domestic violence could be to blame for increased crime in Prince Albert

Jul 24, 2015 | 6:23 AM

According to a report released from Stats Canada, overall crime in Prince Albert increased 12 per cent in 2014, with violent crimes seeing an eight per cent increase since 2013.

Prince Albert Police Chief Troy Cooper said in a previous paNOW story that a jump in domestic violence and assaults could be a strong factor in the stats.

In 2013, local support agency Mobile Crisis received 220 calls in regards to domestic violence. In 2014 those numbers jumped nearly 41 per cent with 310 calls. Mobile Crisis has already received 489 calls in regards to domestic violence so far this year.

Mobile Crisis offers 24-hour assistance to those in need. They are able to provide emergency intervention orders which are short term orders that can give victims exclusive occupation of the residence, prevents the suspected abuser from contacting the victim or other family members, and other services from police.

Cooper believes the increase in domestic cases could be attributed to another problem within the community.

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“Violence is typically driven by alcohol. The community has a new alcohol strategy we strongly support. We’re doing our best to make sure alcohol is consumed responsibly.”

Vicki Bird from Mobile Crisis agrees saying, “I do think with a lot of offenders and victims there is alcohol involved … [it’s] the inability to control what we’re doing when you’re drinking.”

Bird also suggests that a larger issue may be the cycle of abuse victims and offenders are unable to escape.

“Children from abused homes, that’s their coping skills, that’s how they learn to deal with things. If they live with an offender, they will often times become an offender or a victim.”

Many victims of domestic abuse also do not believe they are victims, says Bird. Often, phone calls to Mobile Crisis are made by family members, friends, or neighbours to those being abused.

“A lot of times they think it’s their fault. Abusers do very well with lowering the self-esteem of victims.”

Bird believes that the increase in calls has to do with raised awareness, however there is still room for improvement, she says.

To maintain with the need, Mobile Crisis is currently working on increased funding through partnerships that will improve their emergency interventions program.

“[We] want it to be out there so everybody knows about it,” says Bird. “Finding funders is difficult, but finding someone to fund a domestic violence program is so important right now.”

If you are in need of help contact the 24-hour Mobile Crisis line at (306) 764-1011

Other numbers to contact:

Catholic Family Services (306) 922-3202

ISKWEW (Women Helping Women) (306) 953-6217

Communities against Family Violence (306) 953-6219

knguyen@jpbg.ca

Follow on Twitter: @khangvnguyen