The number of calls to RCMP in parts of Rocky View County (RVC), including Cochrane, Chestermere and the rural area around Airdrie that involve some form of domestic violence, continue at a fairly consistent level, according to Corporal Tammy Keibel, Domestic Violence Co-ordinator for the Southern Alberta District of the RCMP.
“It’s remaining constant. It’s not something we’re noticing any drop-off from, unfortunately,” she said.
“In Alberta, the RCMP defines violence and abuse in relationships as intimate partner violence or abuse. This includes behaviours such as threats, intimidation, damage to property, verbal conflict or abuse and physical assaults,” she said.
Between June 25, 2013, and June 24, 2014, RCMP responded to 19 calls involving domestic violence in Crossfield. Charges were laid in six of those cases. Between June 25, 2014, and June 24, 2015, that number jumped to 31 with charges laid in 11 cases.
“There could be various reasons (for the increase),” Keibel said. “Perhaps victims are more co-operative and we have the ability to secure the evidence to support the charges. It’s hard to say why we were able to lay several more charges this year than last year.”
The statistics for the Beiseker detachment remained relatively consistent with 20 calls during the 2013 to 2014 timeframe, resulting in seven charges, and 28 calls in the 2014 and 2015 timeframe with eight charges laid.
Chestermere RCMP responded to 64 calls with 24 charges being laid between June 25, 2013, and June 24, 2014. In the rural area surrounding Chestermere – policed by Strathmore RCMP – officers responded to 58 calls and laid 11 charges.
Between June 25, 2014, and June 24, 2015, Chestermere RCMP responded to 77 calls within the city and laid 31 charges while Strathmore RCMP responded to 49 calls and laid 12 charges.
Keibel said calls can include an individual not abiding by conditions of a custody order, or children not being returned by the agreed date or time.
“We’ll make an assessment of the situation. If an order is police enforceable, then police could possibly take action. With civil orders we try not to get involved. We try to be that impartial, unbiased person. We make an assessment of the child to ensure they’re not at risk.”
The calls RCMP respond to can include single occurrences or a chronic pattern of abuse.
“The definition includes intimate partner relationships that are current or former relationships, between opposite sex or same sex partners, that vary in duration and legal formality,” she said. “They include partners who are dating, common law, married or partners with one or more children, regardless of their marital status or whether or not they have lived together at any time.”
Lori Rehill, executive director of the Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society (ADVAS), said the organization continues to receive calls involving domestic violence.
“Domestic violence files have not decreased over the years, they have increased over the years. I think that’s probably a reflection of our population growth, not the economy,” she said.
ADVAS provided support to 979 victims of domestic violence in 2014. ADVAS and North Rocky View Community Links work together to provide mandated court programs for offenders.
