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By Mario Cabradilla/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Legal Aid Alberta says family violence on the rise

Jun 15, 2022 | 11:47 AM

CALGARY – Family violence is rising and becoming more dangerous in Alberta, according to Legal Aid Alberta (LAA).

Legal Aid Alberta is a publicly funded, non-profit organization that provides legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defence.

According to the agency, the amount of emergency protection orders (EPO) it filed has increased by 17 per cent since 2018.

The Government of Alberta website states that an EPO is granted when violent or threatening behaviour occurs between family members, when immediate protection is necessary, or when family violence will resume or continue.

EPO is different from a restraining order in that the EPO is only granted in situations of family violence.

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However, just like a restraining order, it prevents a violent family member from contacting or getting close to the claimant.

Christina Riddoch, a staff lawyer at Legal Aid Alberta’s Edmonton office, stated in a June 14 news release that most people filing EPOs are women, “and most of those are women with young children.”

“They’re trying to escape an abusive husband or boyfriend – a situation that may have been exacerbated by isolation requirements or stay-at-home orders during the pandemic,” she said. Riddoch also stated that factors like financial strain, job loss and cost of living could lead to family violence.

She said that she is starting to see more elderly men requesting EPOs.

“Elder abuse is becoming more of an issue. We’re seeing an increase in situations where an adult child or stepchild is abusing their elderly parent – something that could be the result of the cost of living becoming harder to manage,” said Riddoch.

“So, we’ve been working in tandem with support services for elder abuse victims to try and help get these vulnerable people out of these situations.”

LAA also stated that not only is there an increase in the number of family violence, but also an increase in danger.

Shilpi Walia, a staff lawyer at LAA’s Calgary office, said in the news release that danger levels are categorized when assessing EPO applications.

“There’s a four-tier scale: variable danger, increased danger, severe danger and extreme danger,” said Walia. “Over the last year, we have seen an increase in extreme danger cases.”

According to Walia, extreme danger situations usually involve weapons and/or include instances of physical or sexual abuse.

“The most common form of physical abuse I see that results in an ‘extreme danger’ assessment is assault by strangulation – extreme danger because if claimants aren’t given support, this is something that could easily turn into a fatality,” said Walia.

LAA said it established the Emergency Protection Order Program (EPOP) in Edmonton in 2004 and Calgary in 2007, which provides EPO claimants a lawyer due to the overwhelming overall process of applying for an EPO.

While LAA is helping provide easier access to justice for victims of abuse, Riddoch said it’s a group effort.

“We’re a team – LAA, police officers and RCMP, Crown prosecutors, family violence service providers. We’re all working together for the best outcome for the claimant and all Albertans,” said Riddoch.

“All of us have the same stake in this: to one day end family violence.”

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.