16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on November 25, the International Day to End Violence Against Women includes December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and runs until Human Rights Day on December 10.
This year for the 16 Days of Activism, EVA BC is highlighting intimate partner violence (IPV) and the murders that result from IPV in our province. The impact of this violence is alarming and should be considered a public safety issue.
In 2023, there were 14,270 cases of IPV reported to police in BC (Stats Canada: Trends in police-reported family violence and intimate partner violence, 2023). But we know that most cases are not reported to police: “Fewer than one third of victims living with IPV report the victimization to police, more often only confiding in a trusted friend or family member,” BC Coroners Service Death Review Panel: A Review of Intimate Partner Violence Deaths 2010-2015.
The BC Coroner’s Service reported 135 IPV-related deaths in BC from 2012-2022.
When there is death/murder from intimate partner violence, reports shared in media will state that there is “no risk to the public”. We feel that these murders do indeed pose a public safety risk. For each death, whether that is of the intended primary victim, bystander victims including children and other family members and friends, or the death of the perpetrator, each one is a loss and has an impact and a ripple effect beyond the victims to the entire community.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies IPV as a major global public health concern, as it affects millions of people and can result in immediate and long-lasting health, social and economic consequences,” from Fact Sheet: Intimate Partner Violence, Government of Canada.
We call for the province to establish an annual intimate partner violence death review committee that will be informed by the knowledge and expertise of the anti-violence sector.
EVA BC already supports and coordinates with more than 50 Interagency Case Assessment Teams (ICATs) that bring together anti-violence workers, police, child protection workers, probation officers, and others to prevent serious harm related to IPV from occurring. These ICATs meet to review highest risk cases and create risk management plans including safety plans to prevent serious harm or death. At this time ICATs do not receive direct government funding.
EVA BC will continue their work to raise the need for a death review committee with the incoming provincial government and advocate for more attention to improving responses to and prevention of intimate partner violence.
Follow us on social media for the next 16 days to learn more, help raise awareness and call on the provincial government to fund community coordination and establish an ongoing intimate partner violence death review committee.
Facebook: EndViolenceBC
X: EndViolenceBC
Instagram: endingviolencebc
LinkedIn: ending-violence-association-of-bc/
*This story has been updated. Originally we stated that 288 cases of IPV were reported to police in BC, but data states that it is 288 (per 100,000 population) resulting in 14,270 cases in BC aged 12 and above.
