荔枝视频

A unique partnership between a , Cochrane RCMP, and  is offering a roadmap to stop domestic violence before it starts in Alberta. 

Released Thursday,  is a new report providing one of the province鈥檚 most detailed looks at the trends behind local domestic violence perpetration. 

Taking up RCMP data covering the Town of Cochrane, Rocky View County, and the Stoney Nakoda Nations, this report covers a five-year analysis (2020鈥�2024) and a look into the histories of men who were charged with a domestic violence crime in 2024. 

The findings reveal that domestic violence is escalating in the community. Between 2020 and 2024, domestic violence in Cochrane rose by nearly 60 per cent, highlighting the need for urgent action. 

The study also reveals that most men who were charged with a domestic violence crime in 2024 were already known to the RCMP before their arrest; 75 per cent of these men already had criminal charges on record, and 68 per cent had previous police-reported domestic encounters.

These findings align with a , which looked at a decade of 荔枝视频 Police Service data and found that 73% of men who perpetrated domestic violence crimes had prior contact with police.

鈥淩ed flags show up right before domestic violence crimes happen,鈥� says Lana Wells, lead author of the research and  in the Prevention of Domestic Violence. 鈥淭he vast majority of men charged with domestic violence are already on the radar of law enforcement, and that means we鈥檙e missing a vital opportunity to intervene before violence escalates.鈥�

Wells is an associate professor at the  and leads , the research-action hub behind this new research. Shift is the only initiative of its kind in Canada to focus on the primary prevention of gender-based violence. Since its inception in 2010 at U荔枝视频, Wells and her team at Shift have been researching and addressing root causes to prevent violence from happening.

A closer look at the data

The research examined both the prevalence and severity of violence, finding that 56 per cent of domestic violence charges in 2024 involved assault, assault with a weapon, or assault causing bodily harm. And half of all reported domestic violence charges in 2024 involved a child who witnessed the violence or was present in the home when it occurred.

Wells calls these findings alarming and points to the need for early intervention.

鈥淲hen children grow up surrounded by abuse or threats, the impact is profound 鈥� even if the violence isn鈥檛 directed at them,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e know from decades of research that these experiences increase the risk of both using and experiencing violence later in life. If we want to break the cycle, we have to change those trajectories early.鈥�

The findings also highlight a growing need for coordinated and proactive prevention strategies that address men鈥檚 mental health, substance use, and social supports. Nearly half of all charges in 2024 involved alcohol 鈥� a reminder that substance use and violence often intersect.

鈥淓nding domestic violence isn鈥檛 just about enforcement,鈥� says Inspector David Brunner, Cochrane RCMP Detachment Commander. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about understanding the risk factors, patterns of perpetration, and working with our community partners to act earlier. We need to better support men and their families before violence escalates.鈥�

Community solutions to prevent violence

While most men who were charged with a domestic violence crime in 2024 were known to the RCMP, about 1 in 5 of these men had no prior contact with law enforcement. 

鈥淭his shows us that ending violence begins with supporting men and boys where they already are 鈥� in schools, on hockey rinks, in workplaces, churches, and online spaces,鈥� Wells explains. 鈥淲e have to connect with these men in their communities before they become first-time offenders.鈥�

The report authors recommend that the Government of Alberta invest in  that are non-stigmatizing and promote responsibility, accountability, and healing rather than shame.

Project collaborator Wanda McGinnis, Executive Director at Big Hill Haven, shares that these findings are already informing new prevention and early-intervention projects in Cochrane.

鈥淭his report shows what鈥檚 possible when universities collaborate with the community,鈥� says McGinnis. 鈥淲orking alongside the RCMP, U荔枝视频 researchers, and local leaders is how we move from reacting to violence to preventing it.鈥�

Wells adds that the partnership marks a turning point for how communities can use local data as a prevention tool. 鈥淲hen law enforcement, service providers, and researchers work hand in hand, we can identify early warning signs, support men before violence escalates, and make homes safer for everyone.鈥�

Read the report here: