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
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
Jesus is their savior, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Truck engulfed in flames with owner on scene in Scarborough
A truck was engulfed in flames in the early hours in Scarborough on Saturday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Hundreds walk backwards in downtown Montreal to symbolize the decline of LGBTQ2S+ rights
On Friday, hundreds gathered and walked backwards in the heart of Montreal to honour the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
U.S. intelligence suggests American who vanished in Syria in 2017 has died, daughter says she was told
U.S. officials have developed specific and highly credible intelligence suggesting that an American citizen who disappeared seven years ago while traveling in Syria has died, the man's daughter said Saturday.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.