Identifying, Investigating & Prosecuting Domestic Violence Strangulation Cases
Frontline workers and first responders will gather in Kitchener next month to learn how to recognize the severity of strangulation and how to better identify, investigate and prosecute strangulation cases related to domestic violence.
The Waterloo Regional Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Treatment Centre (WRSADVTC) is partnering with Waterloo Regional Police, Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services, Western University and the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention to present the sessions. The training will take place on November 4 and 5, marking the beginning of Woman Abuse Awareness Month.
Called Identifying, Investigating & Prosecuting Domestic Violence Strangulation Cases, the training features leading experts in cases of non-fatal strangulation and suffocation assaults in intimate partner violence.
“Strangulation is a very serious offence that requires specialized training to properly recognize the signs associated with it and to properly conduct a thorough investigation that can be effectively prosecuted,” says Terri-Lynn Turner, Waterloo Regional Police Staff Sergeant in the Domestic Violence Investigative Branch. “Having this two-day training in Waterloo Region available to all first responders and front line workers will increase our knowledge and understanding of how quickly and deadly this offence can be.”
Strangulation can cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. “As it relates to Domestic Violence, strangulation can be a form of power and control in an intimate relationship that can have devastating physical and emotional effects on victims, explains Sergeant Turner. “Our goal is to have a victim-centered approach focused on safety. The Waterloo Regional Police Service is excited to be a partner in bringing this training forward to reach that goal.”
“Working with victims first hand, we have seen the devastating impact strangulation causes,” says Julia Manuel, Director of Community Programs at WRSADVTC. “The WRSADVTC is honoured to be a partner and sees this training as a critical next step to advance the work being done for victims in our Region.”
To learn more or register for the event, click here.
About Waterloo Region Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Treatment Centre
The Waterloo Region Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre is a program of St. Mary’s General Hospital. It is one of 36 Centers in the province, all with the same mandate in providing comprehensive care to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. WRSA/DVTC has a team of forensic nurses and social workers who are on call 24/7 to respond to the needs of sexual assault and domestic violence victims. Clients receive rapid access to specially trained professionals in a private setting in the emergency departments at St. Mary’s and Cambridge Memorial Hospital. The team also provides ongoing counselling, helps link victims with community services and operates a pediatric clinic for known or suspected child sexual assault/abuse.
Contact
Arianna Ongaro
Communication Specialist, St. Mary’s General Hospital
519-749-6578 ext. 6412 – aongaro@smgh.ca