Police officers speak to Quebecers about violence against women: ‘Each of us have an important part to play’
Posted November 27, 2024 3:49 pm.
Last Updated November 27, 2024 5:09 pm.
Quebec provincial police are leading a province-wide operation to prevent intimate partner violence.
It’s part of the 12 Days of Action Against Violence Towards Women.
For the third year, police and partner organizations are raising awareness at 209 locations across Quebec, including on roads, at shopping malls and metro stations.
Claudine Thibaudeau from SOS Violence Conjugale estimates that between 80,000 and 100,000 people – mostly women – are victims of intimate partner violence in Quebec each year.
“The numbers are much greater if you include all the gestures that are not criminal yet, such as psychological violence control, financial violence. There’s many types of violence that are not yet criminalized,” said Thibaudeau.
“We’re all touched by it. Either we were born in the family where there was intimate partner violence or we were ourselves victims of intimate partner violence or we have a very close relative who is.”
The numbers are increasing, with calls to the SOS Violence Conjugale helpline doubling from 25,000 to 50,0000 over the past three years. During the same period, the Sûreté du Québec reported a 30 per cent rise in domestic violence case files.
SQ Lieutenant Caroline Girard emphasized the importance of providing a safe and open space for those in need.
“It’s important for us to be there for the victims and tell them that the door is open whenever they’re ready to come and see us,” she told CityNews.
“The more we talk about it, the more information people can have and the better we can do altogether.”
Victims of intimate partner violence in Quebec can receive free information about the criminal justice process, how to report a crime to police, and more through the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions information line (1-877-547-3727).
In the last seven months, 544 calls have been made to their team of all women lawyers.
“So each of us should do something about it,” Thibaudeau said. “Doing little gestures, sharing awareness campaigns online, for example, talking about it with your children, your teenagers, most of all. Being aware if a coworker seems to be going downhill, feeling bad, maybe retreating, or friends or family also. So each of us have an important part to play.”
