Sask. counselling service tries new tactics amid high rates of domestic violence

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A Saskatoon-based counselling service is taking some new approaches to stem the rising tide of domestic violence.

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“We know Saskatchewan has a very high rate, so we’re always talking about what can we do to try and decrease this and help prevent (it),” said Family Service Saskatoon director Janine Baumann.

The service has a longstanding partnership with city police, which made it easy to join them on the intimate partner violence response team created at the beginning of January. It consists of one officer and one counsellor, aiming to make people aware of the services available, even if no arrests are made.

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Police Chief Cam McBride said many victims feel helpless, unsupported and unable to report intimate partner violence. He hopes this new team will change that.

“We’re going to be watching closely. But we know that individuals that have experienced intimate partner violence, they deserve to be cared for, they deserve to understand what their options are,” McBride said.

Statistics Canada released a report in October showing rates of police-reported intimate partner violence across Canada increased in 2023.

Saskatchewan had the highest rates among provinces, as it has for several years running, recording 710 victims of intimate partner violence per 100,000 people in 2023.

“Victims of intimate partner violence may not report their experience to authorities for a variety of reasons, such as the belief that it is a private or personal matter, or a lack of trust in the criminal justice system,” Statistics Canada stated in releasing the report.

“It should be noted that some research has shown that men and boys who experience intimate partner violence may be more reluctant to report it to authorities because of the stigma surrounding male victims.”

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Baumann said Family Service Saskatoon does a lot of work at court, offering supports to victims and conducting risk assessments for people facing charges.

“We have a long history of working with the Saskatoon Police Service because of the work we do around intimate partner violence, including the domestic violence court,” she said.

The intimate partner violence response team will now attend police calls and offer a hand.

“Perhaps there hasn’t been any violence, maybe it has been shouting … so there isn’t anyone to be charged, so it’s not going to domestic violence court. But we want to make sure — whether that’s a family or couple that we might consider at risk — we want to make sure they’re aware that there are services and supports available for them.”

Baumann said the service also launched a new early intervention initiative in November, offering a place for people to go regardless of whether an incident leads to a court date.

“We just want to make sure people know there are supports available to both those who have experienced violence, as well as those who are using the violence … we want to make sure it doesn’t escalate prior to going to court.”

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Baumann said the service is trying to inform the community about both new programs.

There is never a replacement for 911 if people don’t feel safe, she added.

“If it’s say a friend or a relative that they think may be at risk of harm, they can absolutely phone either Family Service Saskatoon or (city police) and they can ask for the intimate partner violence response team.”

Contacting the team is a good starting point where discussions can happen and information can be gathered, Baumann said, adding that they’ll make a safety plan and explore the most realistic and helpful next steps.

“We really do meet people where they are at … we work with people if they are currently in a relationship that could be harmful or not. We do not require that people are leaving the relationship; we want to keep people safe.”

Baumann noted that the Family Service Saskatoon Radio-thon for Mental Health runs on Thursday and Friday at Lawson Heights Mall.

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