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By battlefordsNOW Staff

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Report reveals most domestic homicide victims in Sask. are women, majority of perpetrators are men

Jan 30, 2025 | 12:00 PM

The latest 2024 Domestic Violence Death Review Report examined 31 domestic homicide cases and revealed that 83 per cent of victims were women, and 82 per cent of perpetrators were men.

“Saskatchewan recognizes the need to take action to address the issue of interpersonal violence and domestic violence deaths in our province,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod noted in a statement.

The provincial government released the report on Thursday, and the review was conducted by a steering committee with various ministries and three multidisciplinary case review teams, analyzing 31 domestic homicide deaths including 11 specific cases.

The report found that domestic violence-related homicide rates in rural areas were over twice as high as in urban regions, with most victims killed by current intimate partners, and Indigenous peoples were “overrepresented as victims.”

It went on to emphasize the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address domestic violence in Saskatchewan.

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“The recommendations in this report will inform future government responses to domestic and interpersonal violence and can serve as a roadmap for all of us as a province to make our province safer for everyone.”

The recommendations Mcleod referred to are the intervention for perpetrators, victim-centred approaches, legislation and policy, services in rural and northern areas and infrastructure development.

These recommendations hold societal systems and individuals who commit violence accountable for change.

In the release, the provincial government also expressed its commitment to addressing the recommendations from the new review. Following its first review in 2016 and the final report released in 2018, the aim was to enhance understanding of domestic violence deaths and guide future policies.

For context, the 2018 Domestic Violence Death Review was used to develop numerous initiatives to address domestic violence in Saskatchewan, including:

• funding for second-stage housing
• the development of Family Intervention Rapid Support Teams
• Clare’s Law
• 10-day work leave (including five paid days) for survivors
• expanded interpersonal violence support at the 211 crisis line
• the Face the Issue public awareness campaign
  Family and friends of domestic homicide victims created tribute artwork to honor those lost. (photo/ Sask. gov)

As part of the review, relatives and friends of domestic homicide victims contributed to a tribute artwork honouring those lost. It represents loss, grief, and memories while symbolizing hope for the future and change.

“The loss of lives to domestic violence is a tragic and deeply painful outcome in which women are disproportionately victimized,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Alana Ross said in a release.

“We honour those lost by learning from their deaths and continuing our efforts to prevent all forms of interpersonal violence and abuse.”

If you know anyone who may be at risk of interpersonal violence and abuse, please check the complete directory of resources to help online at sk.211.ca/abuse.

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cjnb-news@pattisonmedia.com