Perth South declares intimate partner violence an epidemic

Perth East also declares epidemic, joining all five other municipalities in Perth County

By Galen Simmons

Perth South council has unanimously declared intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic in the township following a presentation by local advocates highlighting the scope and impact of gender-based violence across Perth County.

At its March 3 meeting, council voted in favour of the declaration after hearing from Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services executive director Donna-Jean Forster and board member and Perth South resident Deborah Pratt-Weersink, who outlined the prevalence of IPV locally and the importance of municipal leadership in addressing the issue.

“Intimate partner violence has been increasing in our community and the negative impacts of intimate partner violence on the residents of our community and, in particular, women and children have consequences that last for generations,” Forster said. “We encourage Perth South to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic and continue to work collaboratively together with our whole community to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.”

The declaration makes Perth South the 111th municipality in Ontario to formally recognize intimate partner violence as an epidemic. The presentation and declaration follow similar actions taken recently by other municipalities across the county. Last month, St. Marys council declared IPV an epidemic after hearing a presentation from Optimism Place, joining West Perth, Stratford and North Perth in recognizing the issue.

Later the same day as the Perth South decision, Perth East council also passed a declaration following a similar presentation, becoming the 112th municipality in Ontario to do so. With those two declarations, all six municipalities within Perth County have now formally recognized intimate partner violence as an epidemic.

Forster told Perth South councillors IPV continues to have a significant impact across the region. Statistics shared with councils across Perth County show that in 2024 alone, there were 994 reports of IPV in the county, resulting in 227 charges laid.

The effects extend beyond police calls. According to data presented to council, probation and parole services supervise an average of 115 clients each month who are serving probation related to domestic-violence offences.

At Optimism Place, 203 women and children stayed in shelter in 2024, while another 200 women accessed IPV-related services without requiring residential support. Since 2022, 50 Perth County women have been assessed as being at high risk of intimate partner homicide and have received coordinated safety supports from community partners.

“Every year at Optimism Place, we see about five to 10 women, along with their children, from Perth South who access our shelter for residential stay,” Forster said. “In addition, we have about 15 women and their children (from Perth South) who are accessing our community-based services such as counselling, support for family court, parenting supports and other family supports associated with experiencing intimate partner violence.

“Every single day, at least one woman from Perth South calls our 24-hour support phoneline for support for themselves or someone they know who is experiencing intimate partner violence.”

Forster also noted the issue often remains hidden, with many incidents of violence never reported. Research shows that 44 per cent of women who have been in an intimate relationship have experienced some form of psychological, physical or sexual abuse.

Supporters of the declaration say formally recognizing IPV as an epidemic is an important step toward raising awareness, supporting survivors and encouraging coordinated community action.

The declaration also aligns with the priorities outlined in the Perth County Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, which identifies gender-based violence and intimate partner violence as key focus areas for the region over the next decade.

Forster said the declaration is not intended to be purely symbolic, but rather part of a broader effort to increase education, improve access to supports and encourage residents to recognize the signs of abuse and help those experiencing violence.

“The numbers in here are disturbing to say the least,” Perth South Coun. Jeff Bell said after the presentation. “To think that one of our friends and neighbours are calling for support on a daily basis; that’s very concerning.”

“I just wanted to thank you for the links that were included in (the declaration letter) for the education,” Coun. Jaime Martin added. “I’ve had an opportunity to go through it briefly; it’s excellent. It’s really well done, particularly the tools that it gives somebody because we know it can be difficult when it’s clear (IPV) is going on, but they don’t know what to do. These trainings were particularly good; I thought it left me with some training, with some skills. … The more people that can take this training, the more equipped our community is to help support people who are in these relationships.”

While there were a number of training and educational resources included in Optimism Place’s IPV declaration letter, available online as an attachment with the Perth South March 3 council agenda, Forster highlighted Stop Violence Against Women’s (Stop VAW) upcoming IPV community information session at Milverton Public School on April 13 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

For more information and to register, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/intimate-partner-violence-101-community-information-session-milverton-tickets-1977610404957?aff=oddtdtcreator.