Panel discussion on IPV addresses actions to take amid epidemic declarations

Lisa Wilde, executive director of the Emily Murphy Centre, with moderator Leanne Perreault, author Gwen Lamont and lawyer and Shelterlink’s board co-chair Alix Grice at a panel discussion addressing the intimate partner violence (IPV) epidemic.

Following the declaration of an intimate partner violence (IPV) epidemic by Stratford, North Perth and West Perth over the past few years, the Stratford chapter of Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) held a panel discussion on how to address IPV.

A panel discussion about addressing the IPV epidemic run by CFUW Stratford took place at Stratford City Hall on Jan. 29. The event focused on addressing IPV as a bystander and highlighted ways to support someone who may be going through IPV.

Emily Murphy Centre’s executive director Lisa Wilde, lawyer and co-chair of Shelterlink Youth Services’ board Alix Grice and author Gwen Lamont participated in the panel discussion.

Wilde listed symptoms that someone may be experiencing IPV in their relationship such as their partner dominating the conversation, threatening to cause harm to the person affected, their children, and/or their pets and farm animals and constantly checking in – even at work or while socializing.

"If they're allowed to be with others, their phones are always going off,” she said.

She also talked about ways to help someone who is experiencing IPV, though noted that the danger increases when someone experiencing IPV leaves their abuser. Still, anyone can step in and support someone experiencing IPV even if they are not a professional like a counsellor or a police officer.

"If I learned anything along the way, it's that IPV is a community issue. Not a family issue, not a women's issue, it's a community issue and the solution lies somewhere with all of us,” Wilde said.

Those concerned that someone is experiencing IPV can tell the person what they are witnessing, believe someone who discloses IPV, encourage to make a communications and safety plan, offer child and/or pet care and prepare an emergency bag including important documents. Wilde said that offering your place is another option but only if it’s safe to do so.

Grice said that while supporting someone experiencing IPV, it’s still important to practice self-care like keeping your own emotional well-being and safety in check, making a plan to ensure well-being and safety,  checking physical symptoms like heart rate, eating and sleeping habits, reaching out to family and friends and asking for support if needed such as counselling.

"It may seem obvious, but if you don't remember to take care of yourself in a difficult situation, you risk being less effective at helping others with potentially negative consequences,” Grice said.

Lamont, author of The View from Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed, is an advocate for women who experienced IPV, both survivors and those who were killed by their partners. She addresses her own experience with IPV in her novel and also wrote her thesis for her master’s in social work on femicide.

The author read bits of her piece Survivor’s Guilt, which was longlisted for the CBC Non-Fiction prize in 2023 and emphasized that change must happen to end femicide and IPV. Sharing personal stories can be one way towards change.

"I believe telling our stories is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight for change. Many women have told me that when they heard my story, they were able to tell theirs,” she said.

A Q-and-A and introduction of Stratford Police Service’s first national service dog, Dusty, followed the discussion.

North Perth declared an IPV epidemic in late January, following the declaration by West Perth in 2025 and Stratford in 2023.