A number of social service agencies will be highlighting for council just how big of a problem domestic violence really is in the city.
Officials from the Thunder Bay Counseling Centre, Faye Peterson Transition House and the Catholic Development Centre are scheduled to have presentations at council tonight. The main topic will focus on the increasingly high rate of domestic abuse in the city.
With more than 3,000 incidents per year, the city has the highest rate of domestic violence rate in the province, according to police statistics.
Duncan Macgillivray, board chair for Thunder Bay Counseling Centre, said it’s important they raise the issue of how high the domestic violence rate is in the city.
“A lot of people in domestic situations don’t even call it in,” he said.
“There’s power and control going on so it’s actually under reported despite the fact that the reported numbers are scary. About 6.8 out of every call to police are for domestic violence.”
He said they would like people from the violence against women sector to attend ward meetings to discuss issues relating to those specific areas.
The number of domestic violence calls in the city has doubled in the past six years.
In 2004, Thunder Bay Police Service responded to 1,107 domestic violence calls.
In 2007, it was more than 1,800. By 2010, it was 2,218 resulting in charges for more than 600 men and 100 women.
He added once they have done the presentation they will likely have a deputation with the police board as well.
Also expected to be discussed at council is the issue of congestion at Prince Arthur’s Landing.
At-Large Coun. Larry Hebert suggested moving Summer in the Parks from its Wednesday slot to another day as the park was getting too busy with boat races.
Hebert recommended moving the annual summer concert event to either Tuesday or Thursday.
Council is also expected to talk about the Superior North EMS strategic plan. The new plan would look at efficiency within the ambulance services including response times, review of non-urgent calling, and district station locations.
