A motion declaring Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an epidemic has received unanimous support from city council.
Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield says making the declaration will help increase awareness of the problem locally, spark conversations and may make it easier for survivors to come forward.
“The more members of our community who understand the costs and severe impacts of IPV, the more prepared we will be to strengthen efforts to prevent IPV, protect and support victims when IPV takes place, hold perpetrators accountable and initiate measures to end the cycle of violence,” she says.
The motion also highlights municipal impacts of IPV, including contributing to an unsafe community, an increase in homelessness, decreased police and ambulance capacity and more.
In his remarks, Mayor Peter Chirico offered his condolences to those impacted by the deaths of five people last week in Sault Ste. Marie, in which police said the deceased offender had been involved in Intimate Partner investigations in the past.
“One death is one too many,” he says. “One violent act against one person is far too many.”
The motion says council commits to engaging with community partners to educate and support residents about the seriousness and long-term danger of violence in the community.
The Nipissing Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee has been calling on council to make the declaration, saying the time to raise flags and read proclamations about IPV is long gone.
