Domestic violence investigations by police see sharp spike in Niagara (original) (raw)

Hamilton

New statistics showing a sharp increase in domestic violence investigations in Niagara come as no surprise to two agencies in the region that run emergency shelters and free support services for women and children fleeing gender-based abuse. Both agencies say their shelters are constantly filled and they're forced to turn many women away because there simply isn't room.

Lack of charges may partly be because some women seek help before physical violence occurs: shelter agencies

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Nicole Regehr is executive director of Gillian's Place in St. Catharines. The organization runs an emergency shelter and support services for people escaping domestic and family violence. (Paul Forsyth/CBC)

WARNING: This story contains details of intimate partner violence.

New statistics showing a sharp increase in domestic violence investigations in Niagara come as no surprise to two agencies in the region that run emergency shelters and free support services for women and children fleeing gender-based abuse.

Both agencies say their shelters are constantly filled and they're forced to turn many women away because there simply isn't room.

They also report that they're seeing more potentially lethal types of abuse being inflicted on victims.

A new report to the Niagara Regional Police Service board on May 28 showed that domestic violence-related criminal investigations increased from 1,149 in 2023 to 1,814 in 2025, a 57.8 per cent spike.

Over that time, though, the number of investigations in which charges were laid only increased from 803 to 913, while the number of investigations that resulted in no charges being laid soared from 346 to 901, an increase of 160 per cent.

Shelters running at full capacity

Both Gillian's Place in St. Catharines and Birchway Niagara in Niagara Falls say they're seeing domestic violence cases continuing to rise year over year. Both agencies say they almost never have enough beds for all the women fleeing abuse.

Nicole Regehr, executive director at Gillian's Place, said her agency is maxed out and is seeing a significant increase in the number of women reaching out for safe shelter.

"We are full all of the time," she said of her shelter, which is increasing from 34 beds to 45 beds as part of a major expansion. "We're at capacity. We can't possibly help any more people."

Gillian's Place had to turn away 141 women in 2023, 190 in 2024 and 471 in 2025, said Regehr.

"These were people who were appropriate for our services. We simply didn't have space for them."

Jennifer Gauthier is executive director of Birchway Niagara in Niagara Falls. Birchway runs an emergency shelter and support services for people escaping domestic and family violence. (Paul Forsyth/CBC)

Birchway executive director Jennifer Gauthier said it's a similar situation at her 45-bed shelter.

Part of the increase in domestic violence cases is due to so many families under financial stress these days, she said.

"That's when you're going to see abuse. That is definitely reflected in the police stats."

Gauthier said it isn't just case numbers that are increasing year over year, the violence is more severe.

"We're seeing increased physical violence in relationships, a lot of strangulation, and research shows that's the number one indicator of lethality in intimate partner relationships," she said. "So it's a really tough situation out there right now.

"The risk to women and children who are living in these abusive situations is very real."

But more women are also seeking help for other types of abuse, said Gauthier.

"We're also seeing more reports of women looking to get out of relationships where they're facing verbal violence, they're facing all kinds of financial abuse, sexual abuse, other types of abuse."

Praise for police domestic violence unit

Gauthier and Regehr both had high praise for investments made by Niagara police to beef up its domestic violence unit, which last year increased from 13 people to 21.

The unit's mandate is to help front-line uniform officers with the investigation of all domestic/family incidents, whether or not they involve violence, and to assume responsibility for the investigation of all domestic violence incidents that may result in criminal charges.

Police Chief Bill Fordy told the police board on May 28 that domestic violence is a top priority that's resulted in investing more resources into the specialized team.

Outreach by that team may be convincing more women living in abusive relationships to come forward, pushing up the statistics, he said.

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"It's difficult for me to say whether or not there is more domestic violence, or whether we are having success in helping people to come forward to report something that is very difficult to report. We are being very proactive."

Regehr said the fact that so many investigations aren't seeing charges laid may, indeed, be due to more women feeling they have the supports needed to seek help before the abuse leads to violence.

"People are reaching out earlier, which is a really good thing," she said.

"They're calling, police are showing up and [police are] able to intervene before it gets to severe physical violence or homicide," she said. "So it can be a positive sign that there are so many calls but less charges. It just means they're able to intervene before something really awful happens."

Police said in their new report to the board that housing remains a "critical" issue in Niagara when it comes to combatting domestic violence.

"The ongoing lack of safe, secure, and affordable housing continues to contribute to victims remaining in abusive relationships," the report said.

If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. In Niagara, support is also available through 24/7 help lines via phone or text at Birchway Niagara (905-356-5800) or Gillian's Place (905-684-8331).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul Forsyth is a St. Catharines-based CBC reporter covering communities in the Niagara Region. He has decades of reporting experience in Niagara, having worked for Niagara This Week, the St. Catharines Standard and the Welland Tribune before joining CBC. You can reach him at paul.forsyth@cbc.ca.