While violent crime is generally on the decline in Cochrane, it is disturbing to see how domestic violence continues to rise.
According to the Cochrane RCMP, spousal abuse skyrocketed by 71 per cent over the previous year and it isn't an issue unique to the community.
Alberta has the third highest rate of domestic violence among the provinces, behind Manitoba and Saskatchewan, making the prairies the worst offenders for intimate partner violence. The next worst offender, Quebec, is 200 points behind Alberta in the violence rate.
In 2016, the most recent public statistics, Alberta recorded nearly 14,000 incidents of intimate partner violence. While the violence is against both men and women, the number of assaults against women was three times higher than that of men. Keep in mind, these statistics reflect only the incidents that were reported to police and anecdotal evidence indicates many cases go unreported.
These facts demonstrate Cochrane's need for an emergency shelter in the community to help people fleeing violence and programs that not only make it safe to leave but as logistically easy as possible,
The Big Hill Haven Women's Shelter, which is being fundraised for, is a huge step toward helping fight domestic violence in Cochrane. Providing a safe place for women and children to go that is easily accessible is essential. As it stands, the closest shelter space is only available in Morley or Calgary.
There are also a few programs in town that help make leaving violence easier, little things that help put people at ease. Two such programs are the Cochrane And Area Humane Society and Calgary Humane Society's Pet Safe Programs, which provide short-term housing for animals belonging to individuals in crisis due to family violence or abuse. For more on that program, go to https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/what-we-do/emergency-boarding-services/petsafe-keeping/ or call the Cochrane shelter at 403-932-2072.
There is also more resource and counselling help at the other end of the phone through the 24-hour distress line at 403-266-HELP (4357).
Last year, the rise in domestic violence in Alberta was attributed to the suffering economy, but stress, finances and other personal problems do not excuse violence in the home. There are programs and options out there to help with all the aforementioned. There is never an excuse or reason to hurt your spouse or children, and attacks on the former always hurt the latter.
It is also our responsibility as a community to help reduce incidents of domestic violence. Don't turn a blind eye. If you know your neighbour or even a friend is hurting their spouse or kids, make the call. You could easily be saving a life, or at least a future.
If you are someone you know needs access to the range of supports available nearby to combat domestic violence, check out cochranevictimservices.ca/services/domestic-violence/. In cases of emergency call 9-1-1.
To get involved with Big Hill Haven or to learn more about it, call its outreach worker, Patricia Fisher, at 403-796-6564.
