Preliminary data from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) shows that reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) are lower in 2024 but officials note the issue is still an “epidemic.”
In a press release on Nov. 25, police said that there were 6,385 reports of IPV in 2021, then in 2022 there were 6,544 reports, and the trend continued upward in 2023 with 6,594 reports.
However, in 2024 police have received (as of Nov. 22) 5,891 reports, which could be a decrease from years previous by the end of December. Although this number is down, it could also reflect that fewer people feel safe to report IPV.
“It is very difficult to make the decision to come forward as there are many risks associated with reporting intimate partner violence and our goal is to create an environment where women can feel safe and comfortable to do so,” Melanie Winwood is the Senior Advisor-Violence Against Women at OPS, said.
This year marked the first time OPS used the term “femicide,” which is defined as the killing of women and girls because of their gender. Ottawa police have said it is often driven by stereotyped gender roles and discrimination.
Police were called to the small neighbourhood of Corkery, just west of Stittsville, on Lady Slipper Way at 6:40 p.m. on Aug. 25 where they found the body of Jennifer Zabarylo’s in her home.
The 47-year-old’s death is considered a femicide, police said, since she was killed in the context of intimate partner violence, “which is one of the many forms of misogynist killings.”
Michael Zabarylo, 55, of Ottawa is facing charges of second-degree murder.
A few months later, on Oct. 24, police would declare the second femicide case.
Brkti Berche, was at a park on Uplands Drive in the morning with two of her four children when she was stabbed to death. Witnesses to the incident not only went to Berche’s aid but also made sure that her two children were protected.
The next day officials charged 36-year-old Fsha Tekhle of Montreal with first-degree murder in connection to the fatal stabbing. He had a domestic relationship with a family member of the victim, Berche, 36.
“Our Service is committed to listening to and believing victims and survivors of gender-based violence while supporting the efforts of our community partners working to address this serious matter. We also acknowledge that there are many factors that lead to gender-based violence,” Ottawa’s police chief, Eric Stubbs, said.
Police noted in a press release the force has worked with community agencies to enhance the efforts to respond to these issues. They noted that the policing agency is in the process of updating protocols to work more effectively with shelters and providing education to front-line officers.
“We continue to collaborate with local violence against women agencies to audit our cases and provide us with feedback on our approaches. These reviews include approximately 400 files per year,” the press release concludes.