Calgary 'getting better' at talking about domestic abuse, but more work needed: advocate
Calgary police and a local advocacy group are urging citizens to watch for warning signs following a deadly domestic situation in the community of Redstone.
Maninderpreet Singh, 22, is charged with the second-degree murder of 25-year-old Manpreet Kaur on April 21.
Police say the death was the result of a fatal domestic assault.
Staff Sgt. Glenn Andruschuk from the Calgary Police Service's domestic conflict unit tells CTV News domestic abuse reporting has climbed in the last few years.
"That infers to us that families are calling for our assistance, and we can connect them to community supports prior to violence happening in the home," he said.
"The police aren't coming to break up families, we're coming to help."
The conflict unit is comprised of 30 officers who monitor and follow-up with chronic and escalating home violence situations across the city.
Andruschuk says the unit is integrated in the community and works with other agencies to try to stop incidents like the one in Redstone from occurring.
Last year, more than 4,000 domestic violence incidents were reported to Calgary police.
Andrea Silverstone with Calgary's Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society says she believes even more took place.
"Only about 35 per cent of people who experience domestic abuse go to access a service," she said. "People think it requires a broken bone or a black eye to call the police, but it doesn't."
Silverstone says incidents have increased since the pandemic.
"So many (people) are having mental health issues, housing issues, economic issues, and the more that we have supports and services surrounding individuals as they're facing these complexities, the less likely they are to find themselves in abusive situations that they can't get out of."
Her advice to Calgarians is simple: educate yourself on what to do and say if you find yourself or someone you know in a situation that doesn't feel right.
"The most powerful thing we can do is take action to learn how to be a good informal supporter, so we can ask our friends and family if they're okay," Silverstone said.
"We're getting better at talking about domestic abuse, but we're still not where we need to be."
Singh is due in court on May 14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean "Diddy" Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable."
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says, and rescue is underway
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a "hard landing" on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating. Some began urging the public to pray for Raisi and the others on board as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.