Alberta economic woes drive up to 40% increase in domestic violence calls

Alberta's troubled economy is putting women in danger, domestic violence workers warn with one Calgary support group saying calls have spiked by 40 per cent this year.

Abuse victims saylayoffs and job hunting have ratcheted up stress in somehomes, according to the domestic violence workers.

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AndreaSilverstone,co-chair of the Calgary Domestic Violence Collective, says calls to the agency she runsPeer Support Services for Abused Womenhavegone up by 40 per cent.

Theagencies simply don't have the resources to support the rising numbers,Silverstonetold CBC News.

"The staffing here hasn't gone up by 40 per cent, our budget hasn't gone up by 40 per cent, and so as much as we can try to accommodate that, you know, we still have to deal with the reality of waiting lists," Silverstonesaid.

She says that, overall,agencies are struggling to keep up with an influx of calls that she estimateshave climbed by an average of 25 per cent in the city.

The last time she saw domestic violence rates spikewas just after the 2013 flood, Silverstone says.

"In many ways, domestic violence is the canary in the coal mine it's what gets worst first."

The problem is even worse in homes that have already experienced domestic violence, she says.

"Whereas before the abuser might have been at work during the day" now they're home, she said.Women feel more monitored and controlled if the partner stays home, she said, making it harderto leave orcall for help.

In many ways, domestic violence is the canary in the coal mine.It's what gets worst first.- Andrea Silverstone, Calgary Domestic Violence Collective co-chair

Laura Ducharme with Homefront, another support group, says it has also seen a spike in calls in the past six months.

"The strain of the oil patch is having its effect on families because of the ripple effect, many people being laid off," she said.

Calgary police didn't have updated numbers, but said there hasbeen anincrease in reports. In April, for example domestic, non-criminal calls climbed13 per centover April 2014.

Alberta promises more

Silverstone said sheis pleased the new provincial government has promised to boost funding for addressing family violence. However, she added, she would like to see moreCalgariansvolunteer to help.

Minister of Human ServicesIrfanSabirsays the NDP government is moving on the issue.

"We know that more needs to be done to address family violence, and our government is taking action to address this tragic issue," the minister said in an email to CBC News.

"In September, we announced a new investment of $15 million annually to provide much needed supports, including help in accessing available provincial programs and services and specialized child and youth counselling.

"We are also investing $15 million to support Family and Community Safety Program grants, which focus on prevention by addressing the root causes of violence."