Prince Edward County Committee of the Whole heard from the Alternatives for Women organization on Thursday about the epidemic level intimate partner violence in the county.

Some concerning statistics were presented, including the finding that rates of intimate partner violence are nationally 75 per cent higher for rural women compared to urban women, with 233 local domestic violence investigations occurring in 2022, and sexual assaults in PEC increasing by 54 per cent in 2021. Alternatives for Women organizers outlined some the reasons for these statistics in the following:

As well, the organizers mentioned the rising cost of living and the housing affordability crisis as having a further negative impact. Council is now reviewing whether to declare a county-wide Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic, which was requested by Alternatives for Women.

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