WRPS and Women’s Crisis Services of WR renew Early Intervention Program

By Brad Kraemer

A program aimed at helping victims of partner violence and to help “reduce the cycle of violence” has been extended for another year.

CEO of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region (WCSWR) Jennifer Hutton explains that Early Intervention Program is a partnership with Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS). It is part of the Family Violence Project run by Carizon.

“We're really wanting to reach families that may be struggling, having conflict to the point that police are getting some service calls and respond to that early and provide joint support between the police and ourselves.”

Hutton added that the program has been successful so far in reducing future service calls after an incident.

According to the WRPS announcement, 2022 saw regional police receive over 6,000 intimate partner violence calls for service and over 3,800 charges laid.

The press release also stated that in the first six months of the program, WCSWR staff took part in 68 interventions, which is when contact is made with a couple to offer support. Of those 68 interventions, 43 individuals had no additional police calls for service, 18 individuals had a reduction in police calls for service, and 89 per cent of the individuals who received an intervention experienced a positive change.

Hutton also said that she hopes the program can continue in 2023, possibly with an expansion.

“We're responding to more call volume which comes with the need, potentially, to add more workers into the project so we can help more families even sooner.”

WCSWR ask that anyone who would like to learn more, to reach out. Anyone can access outreach services; you don't have to be a victim or someone who has made a service call.

If you are considering leaving a relationship, Hutton said that's when danger could be at its highest.

If you need help, you can call the 24/7 crisis support line at 519-653-2422 or 519-742-5894.

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