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Guest column: Many more Windsor domestic violence incidents than what reported by police

Despite what policing statistics show, intimate partner violence in our community is not lessening, say those on the Windsor front lines of the issue.

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By: Shelley Gilbert, Amy Peirone, Melissa St. Pierre

Re: Windsor police laid 798 domestic violence charges in nine months (Jan. 23)

What do the numbers really tell us?

The Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee of Windsor-Essex (VAWCCWE) would like to provide important context regarding the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) in response to recent news reports indicating a decline in police-reported IPV incidents in 2025 compared to 2024.

Intimate partner violence is a highly underreported crime. Research consistently shows that the majority of IPV incidents — 80 per cent by some estimates — never come to the attention of police. Police-reported data capture only a small portion of the overall IPV picture in our community.

There are many factors that influence the reporting of IPV to police. Survivors may receive internal and/or societal messaging that they are to blame and should keep abuse quiet. Although statistics are clear, the most dangerous time for a survivor is once she leaves the relationship, and many survivors are concerned our current systems are not set up to properly protect them and their children.

Women with precarious immigration status are rightfully concerned reporting abuse to police may result in being reported to immigration authorities and put them at additional risks. In other situations, survivors may fear reporting abuse would trigger involvement of child welfare authorities.

Addressing any of these factors and the associated risks requires conducting validated risk assessments and establishing coordinated individualized safety planning capable of evolving when new or varying factors arise.

We must caution that a decrease in police calls does not necessarily mean that violence in our communities is decreasing.

Many services, including shelters, crisis lines, counselling programs and outreach services, have not observed a corresponding decline in demand. For many organizations across the gender-based violence sector, service needs remain high.

VAWCCWE remains committed to a coordinated, cross-sector approach to prevention, early intervention, and survivor-centred support. Data and information are powerful tools to ensure informed public dialogue, effective policy decisions, and continued investment in services that support safety, healing, and accountability.

Fewer incidents of violence is our goal. But the risk of reporting downward trends without providing a fulsome analysis is that the public and our politicians may mistakenly believe IPV is being “solved.”

Survivors, already experiencing isolation, may feel further excluded and “othered.” Intimate partner violence in our community is not lessening and requires collaborative vigilance, funding, and innovative programming to move the needle on our goal.

We commend the efforts of Windsor Police Service and all our community partners in advancing prevention initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and improving response mechanisms. It is our joint efforts that will be what makes a difference for people experiencing gender-based violence.

We want to remind those that may be experiencing gender-based violence that you are not alone and help and support is available, including: Hiatus House Crisis Line: 519-252-7781; and Hub Without Walls (HWoW) Intake Line: 519-997-2449.

The VAWCCWE (vawccwe.ca) is made up of services dedicated to eradicating violence against women and gender diverse people and coordinates a community-wide response to violence through awareness, effective interventions and services.

Hub Without Walls or HWoW (vawccwe.ca/hwow) is a survivor-centred initiative funded by the province of Ontario that brings together over 21 community agencies across Windsor-Essex to prevent gender based violence, enhance services, and build safer communities. HWoW meets clients where they are at to provide the support needed, when needed.

Shelley Gilbert is executive director, Legal Assistance of Windsor; Amy Peirone is coordinator, Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee; Melissa St. Pierre, is project co-director, Hub Without Walls. 

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