Bracing for increase in domestic abuse cases

BARRHEAD – So far Barrhead and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Thrive program has not seen a large influx of new clients.

However, Thrive outreach mentor, Cheri Jantz believes that will soon change.

Thrive is FCSS's family violence and relationship abuse prevention initiative. It gets its name because that is what they hope its clients will do after accessing its services.

Initial funding for the program in 2011 came in the form of a provincial grant from the Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF). When SCIF funding was no longer available for the program, FCSS found an alternative provincial grant through the Family Communities Safety Program.

In March 2018, this funding also came to an end. However, the program has been able to continue thanks to FCSS community fundraising efforts.

This includes $30,000 contributions from both the Barrhead Rotary Club and the Town of Barrhead.

In January, FCSS executive director Shelly Dewsnap said unless a new source of funding is found, the Thrive program will likely come to an end next spring when this community funding runs out.

But until then, Jantz believes she will be kept hopping in large part due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

"Due to all the pressures around social isolating and people losing jobs along with the stress that comes from always being around your children and partners for prolonged periods, I suspect a big bump is coming," she said.

What Jantz is referring to is the number of reported and unreported domestic abuse cases.

Domestic abuse is defined as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or caregiver. In the majority of cases, an abuser is a man.

In France, domestic violence rates surged by a third in one week. In South Africa, authorities received nearly 90,000 reports of violence against women in the first week of its lockdown. Australia’s government says online searches for support on domestic violence have risen 75 per cent.

So far domestic abuse cases in the Barrhead Leader’s readership area haven't seen such a large increase.

Barrhead RCMP Detachment commander Sgt. Bob Dodds said although they saw a spike of domestic dispute incidents “right off the bat” they have decreased to what they normally see.

“It is good. I’m still kind of holding my breath and waiting for the next shoe to drop,” he said. “As time goes on, and as we’re cooped up with our families, I’m afraid we’re going to see more disturbances, more domestics, that sort of thing … but that hasn’t transpired yet.”

In the province's April 15 COVID update Premier Jason Kenney announced $2.6 million to expand individual and group treatment to address family violence, addiction and mental health for Albertans.

Jantz and Dewsnap did not know if FCSS could access this funding for the Thrive program.

"The truth of the matter is in even at the best relationship being around the same person 24/7 can be trying," she said. "Now add in the stress of COVID, work and everything else, it isn't easy. If you throw in, domestic power and control or a narcissistic personality dynamics, it gets incredibly challenging," she said.

Jantz had some tips for people to release or avoid some of the stressors before they build up and potentially lead to a domestic abuse situation.

"People need to allow themselves some private time, be in different rooms for short periods, give each other space. Take turns taking care of the children," she said. "But just as important is to make good health decisions, get enough sleep, make healthy food choices."

Jantz also encouraged people who are experiencing difficulties to reach out for help, whether that be Thrive or other supports such as the Family Violence Information Line (310-1818) which is staffed by trained counsellors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily or the Alberta provincial abuse helpline (1-855-443-5722) which is staffed Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Jantz noted that even though FCSS has closed its doors to the public, Thrive is still actively working with clients through telephone and video conferencing apps.

For more information about Thrive or to schedule an appointment with Jantz, call Barrhead FCSS at 780-674-3341.

With files from Kevin Berger

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

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