Violence against women and children in Thunder Bay is a growing problem.
On Monday eight organizations that deal with the aftermath renewed their pledge to work collaboratively to help make it disappear for good.
Barbara Hancock, the director of child welfare at Dilico and Anishnawbek Family Care, said the inter-agency agreement is all about filling the cracks that too many victims have fallen through in recent years.
"Women who are in situations of violence are fearful. And they're not only fearful of the person who perpetrates the violence, but also what are the organizations going to do. So they're reluctant to seek help," Hancock said.
"Child welfare is one that people at the best of times have skepticism for. So what this protocol does is allow all of the agencies involved to have clearly articulated roles."
Hancock, whose organization is responsible for the well-being of more than 600 children, says violence is the reason in the majority of cases.
"We know that it is insidious and systemic," Hancock said. "We have cases where violence is the primary reason we go get involved and we have some where it's more on the periphery. But it's there."
The effects of the violence is dramatic.
And Thunder Bay is one of the worst offenders in the country. Recent Statistics Canada figures show in 2011 there were 1,900 violent incidents per 100,000 women, though not all were committed by men.
For the year, no other city topped Thunder Bay.
Nancy Chamberlain, the executive director of the Thunder Bay Counselling Centre, said it's an extra step to keeping women and children safe.
"It takes a whole community and we've got eight partners here who are very committed to making sure they're aware of the signs, that they're aware of some of the issues that women are facing and work together collectively so that nobody falls through the gap," Chamberlain said.
In certain cases information can be shared between organizations. But even better than that, she added, if a situation arises where a worker thought there was a potential for violence, but didn't know the full story, the ability to consult with another organization is an option.
"Or they can share that information, with consent, and we can ensure the appropriate services are in place."
A representative of each agency was given a different coloured gerebera daisy symbolizing the positive outcomes they hoped to see from the renewed agreement, which was last altered about a decade ago.
