Northeast Region Ontario Provincial Police say domestic abuse and violence continues to be a serious issue.

Police says the domestic homicide rate jumped 150 percent in 2018, compared to the year before.

Three domestic-related incidents were homicides, where five people lost their lives.

Northeast Region OPP responded to about 3,700 domestic related calls in 2018.

Over 2,400 were non-criminal while 1,200 were criminal-related.

In a release, the OPP says it recognizes it takes a co-ordinated and comprehensive effort by police and community partners to effectively combat and prevent domestic violence and victimization.

Abuse can consist of physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and/or financial. Abuse can include assault and other types of mistreatment and cruelty, such as threatening and stalking. All types of abuse have one thing in common: they create fear.

Police say if your partner does any of the following things, you could be a victim of abuse.

They say this list shows only some abusive behaviours; but, does not include everything.

Your partner might:
– control your ability to access money or other family finances;
– isolate you from contacting your family or friends, and preventing you from establishing new friendships;
– threaten to hurt you, your children or other family members;
– threaten to hurt your pet or damage other special items you treasure;
– threaten to have you deported from Canada;
– withhold your identification or other important documents;
– threaten to take your children away from you;
– threaten to call the Children’s Aid Society and report you as a child abuser;
– prevent you from obtaining social assistance;
– force you to do things you do not want to do sexually;
– threaten suicide;
– manipulate you into doing things you don’t want to do.

OPP say there are countless resources available, which include hospitals, shelters, Fem’aide, Children’s Aid Society, Victim Services, mental health services, social services.

They encourage people to contact their local family resource centre, shelter or Victim Services.

Filed under: Northeast Region OPP