Gender based violence is an epidemic right now in Norfolk County and across Ontario.
On Wednesday, council heard from Amber Wardell, the Review Team Coordinator for Haldimand & Norfolk Justice for Women.
In Norfolk, there is one confirmed case of Femicide in Norfolk this year – that of Marlene Wilson of Waterford who was 91.
There are, however, two other non-confirmed cases.
This is a very serious situation and it is happening in this county.
Last year, Haldimand & Norfolk’s only GBV shelter, Haldimand & Norfolk Women’s Services, turned away 420 survivors of violence seeking safe shelter due to lack of capacity.
HNWS also saw a marked increase for general support related to abuse in correlation to the pandemic, with a 48% increase in GBV counselling calls between 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
Council agreed to write a letter, joining other municipalities in declaring gender-based violence as an epidemic.
There was some debate on the matter, regarding sending this back to staff or simply sending a letter immediately, but the majority of our elected officials agreed to send the letter without further staff input.
Written by Matt LeBlanc
