Strangulation in context of intimate partner violence: SPVM, DPCP launch pilot project

Montreal police (SPVM) and Quebec prosecutor’s office (the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales or DPCP) are joining forces to launch a pilot project on strangulation in the context of intimate partner violence.

Police say strangulation deserves particular attention because a person who is assaulted in that way by their partner is at far greater risk of being killed by them in the future.

“It’s not okay, and it’s pretty dangerous,” says Cmdr. Anouk St-Onge, of the SPVM domestic violence specialized unit.

“Strangulation is therefore a serious act that deserves special attention,” the SPVM said in a press release Tuesday.

The SPVM and DPCP say the pilot project, which they describe as a first in Quebec, will focus on teaching police and prosecutors how to better identify and respond to domestic violence cases in which strangulation is a factor.

“The fact is there are many cases and the risk of homicide for those victims is very important, so we do want to share our concern and how serious this charge is,” says Maya Ducasse-Hathi, Crown prosecutor, DPCP.

In Montreal, at least 10 women a week are strangled as a result of intimate partner violence. Last year, 553 files related to this type of assault were authorized by the DPCP.

“Strangulation is proof of complete domination on the part of the aggressor, demonstrating to the victim that he literally holds her life in her hands. The pilot project is a multidisciplinary solution designed to improve our teams’ response when we receive such reports,” explained St-Onge.

Montreal police recorded 6,520 intimate partner violence-related events in 2023.

Pilot project to be deployed in Montreal’s east end

The pilot project was inspired by best practices in the U.S. and will be deployed in the east end of Montreal over an 18-month period.

Among other things, it will offer specific training to police personnel at neighbourhood stations and criminal investigation units in the east end of the city, as well as to DPCP prosecutors and certain partner organizations.

The pilot project includes the drafting of a supplement to the victim’s statement, the involvement of the SPVM’s Forensic Identification Section and the intervention of Montreal’s Centre d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels (CAVAC).

“Information on the various symptoms that can occur in the hours and days following a strangulation will also be given to victims to raise awareness of the health consequences and dangers,” the SPVM said.

Eventually to be extended to whole of Montreal

“In addition to improving support for victims in the judicial process, the pilot project aims to better gather all the evidence needed to lay charges against suspects who have committed violence,” added domestic violence prosecutor Maya Ducasse-Hathi, noting that assault by choking, suffocation or strangulation was introduced to the Criminal Code in 2019 following the adoption of Bill C-75.

At the end of the implementation period, the pilot project will be evaluated to determine whether it can be maintained, and eventually extended to the whole island of Montreal.

The SPVM and DPCP also intend to share their experience with other police forces in Quebec.

If you need help, reach out. Call SOS violence conjugal 24/7 at 1-800-363-9010.

If you fear you may become violent towards your partner, call PRO-GAM for an appointment at 514-270-8462. 

–With files from The Canadian Press