For the second straight year, the frequency of reported domestic violence in Calgary increase, an about-face from the promising reduction seen in the beginning years of the decade.
Members of the Calgary Police Service responded to more than 3,200 domestic violence calls in 2015, a nearly 10 per cent increase over the 2014 numbers.
“Domestic violence is a very real problem in our community and it crosses all neighbourhoods, age groups, ethnicities, religions and economic statuses,” say CPS Staff Sergeant Rob Davidson of the domestic conflict unit.
Annual Domestic Violence Calls (courtesy; Calgary Police Service)
Davidson says there’s a likely correlation between joblessness and violence in the home.
“We know there is a connection between increased unemployment and increased domestic violence,” explained Davidson. “People who are already prone to violence are home more and are facing significant stressors.”
In the first three months of 2016, domestic violence calls in Calgary are approximately 40 per cent above average.
Coorelation between Unemployment Rate and Domestic Violence (Courtesy: Calgary Police Service)
Beginning in 2010, Calgary experienced decreases in domestic violence calls each year for three consecutive years. in 2013, CPS received 2,347 domestic violence calls, 945 less than the reported calls in 2015.
