EDMONTON — There have been a number deadly domestic violence cases in the Edmonton-area recently. With November being Family Violence Awarness Month, an event in Leduc Monday morning aimed to help put a stop to the problem.
About 140 people attended the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters’ inaugural “Breakfast with the Guys,” where they heard from a former police officer and international expert in domestic violence and stalking.
“There’s still confusion about violence against women,” said Mark Wynn, who travelled from Texas to speak at the event.
“Most people will hear the story and say, ‘Why did she stay?‘ and the question should be, ‘What are we going to do when she decides to leave?‘
“Because leaving a violence relationship is not an event, it’s a process.”
Wynn grew up in an abusive home where his step-dad beat his mom. That’s why he became a police officer in Nashville, Tennessee, where he focused on helping other women and children in those situations.
READ MORE: Alberta native friendship centres help men, boys end violence against females
He works as a lecturer sharing his knowledge on domestic and sexual violence with law enforcement around the world. When speaking with local agencies, Wynn focuses on what processes need to happen in a community to help make it easier for women to leave violence situations.
“How well does a police chief and a shelter director get along? How well does a shelter director get along with the crown attorney? And have they come up with a solution to everything the victim needs when she decides to leave.
“Because that’s the question: What are we prepared to do when she decides to leave?”
Alberta has the second-highest number of reported domestic violence cases in the country, and cases across the province are up seven per cent this year.
Edmonton police get about 8000 domestic violence complaints a year, but even with such high numbers police believe only about 20 to 30 per cent of cases are ever reported.
Provincially, it is estimated that only one in five incidences of family violence gets reported, while half of Albertans think family violence is a frequent occurrence in their communities.
READ MORE: 7,849 cases of domestic violence reported to Edmonton police in 2014
Wynn said all the social programs in the world aren’t going to help if women can’t access them.
“We have to always listen to the victim. The victim is the most important part of this, not the community process or the government process. That’s important, but the core of it is what her needs are, and what the obstacles are for her to leave.”
Domestic violence is a problem everywhere, said Wynn. He points out that every 18 months in the United States, the number of people killed because of domestic violence is equal to the number of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“It’s a worldwide search for the right thing for this victim, because women are still being killed in Canada, in the U.S. And all over the world.”
The province is looking at making family violence a workplace health and safety issue. Last week, Irfan Sabir, Alberta’s minister of human services, said the government is accepting the recommendations of the Family Violence Death Review Committee’s first case review, mandating employers to act when they know of domestic violence.
WATCH: Domestic Violence During The Economic Downturn
Click here for a list of events taking place during Family Violence Prevention Month.
Do you need help? If you or someone you know is in a violent relationship and in immediate danger, please call 911. Otherwise, a list of resources can be found on this Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters page.
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