Intimate Partner Violence Unit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 15, 2022   10:10 am 

(Ottawa) In collaboration with recommendations made by Ottawa’s frontline violence against women (VAW) workers and advocates, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has changed the name of its Partner Assault Unit to the Intimate Partner Violence Unit.

“We understand that women and other vulnerable groups associate VAW-related issues as strictly physical because of the use of words like ‘assault,’” said Interim Chief Steve Bell. “It’s important to make a distinction that domestic abuse can include anything from coercion, threats, criminal harassment or even controlling behaviours.”

The OPS is committed to helping and supporting victims and survivors of violence and abuse, but despite those ongoing investments, violence against vulnerable populations remains one of the most common forms of police-reported crimes in our city, and across the country.

“We have learned that language matters, particularly when it comes to education and support,” said Interim Chief Bell. “It’s why we are incorporating the use of terms like femicide.”

In 2019, the federal government gained royal assent on Bill C-75; An Act to Amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other Acts.

Among others, some of the highlights of these amendments include:

• Define “intimate partner” for all Criminal Code purposes and clarify that it includes current or former spouse, common-law partner and dating partner;
• Clarify that strangulation constitutes an elevated form of assault and a more serious form of sexual assault;
• Create a new section to direct a court to give primary consideration to the objectives of denunciation and deterrence when imposing a sentence for an intimate partner violence offence where the victim is vulnerable because of personal circumstances
• Create a new section to direct a court imposing a sentence for an intimate partner violence offence to consider the increased vulnerability of female persons who are victims, giving particular attention to the circumstances of “Aboriginal female victims.”

The goal of Bill C-75 was to toughen the criminal law response to domestic violence, and it is expected that these amendments will standardize practices to improve gaps in the criminal justice system, and protect those victims and survivors of abuse.

In recent years Ottawa’s frontline partners and organizations like Peel Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police, our federal government, and the World Health Organization have shifted to the use of the term Intimate Partner Violence.

“By changing the name of our response unit and using the term ‘intimate partner violence’ we are recognizing that abuse goes beyond physical assault,” said Interim Chief Bell. “We’re hopeful that anyone experiencing intimate partner violence will feel comfortable coming forward if they recognize that they’re in an unhealthy relationship.”

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing abuse, you can contact our police reporting unit by dialing 613-236-1222, extension 7300. If it is an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

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CONTACT:  Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366