Pubdate: Fri, 08 Oct 2004
Source: Sault Star, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 The Sault Star
Contact:  http://www.saultstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1071
Author: Michael Purvis
Note: Sault Star reporter Michael Purvis outlines new directions in local 
crime and enforcement in this six-part series.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

MOST DOMESTIC-ASSAULT VICTIMS DON'T CALL POLICE

ARMED WITH a forensic camera, a team of on-call nurses has for the last two 
years, documented domestic abuse.

The nurses do their examinations in a secure room at Sault Area Hospital 
and in most cases police aren't involved.

In what Sgt. Jane Martynuck said is a typical case, one local woman had her 
injuries examined by nurses twice without contacting police.

A third, more serious assault changed that.

"She said 'that's it', she'd had enough," said Martynuck, who was until 
recently domestic violence co-ordinator for Sault Police Services.

Because prior injuries had been logged, all that was required was to sign a 
release form for the clinic's records, she said.

Charged with aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm and common 
assault, the man pleaded guilty and received a sentence of more than two 
years - enough to warrant time in a federal penitentiary, said Martynuck.

"Lots of times women go back to their partner for whatever reason, so if 
another occurrence happens then we have documentation of all those 
occurrences," said Beth Desaulnier, project co-ordinator for the Sexual 
Assault Care Centre/Partner Assault Clinic.

Desaulnier said the clinic's nurses see "the whole gamut", from physical 
injuries to suicide attempts. Expectant mothers are also common, showing up 
at the hospital in premature labour following instances of violence or 
abuse. The number of times nurses are called out each week can vary from 
none to as high as four, Desaulnier said.

There are, however, "peak times" for abuse during the year, she said.

"We see a lot after the new year; it seems to be a peak time, but 
definitely the summer months are the busiest," Desaulnier said. "There 
isn't any rhyme or reason."

The centre, which secured annual funding only last year, doesn't keep 
statistics, but definitely the majority of victims don't want the police 
contacted, she said.

"It's a huge number."

As of the end of July, city police had recorded 678 domestic incidents, 180 
of which led to charges. Four years ago, there were only 175 incidents and 
the number that led to charges simply wasn't recorded, said Det. Mike 
Kenopic, the city's domestic violence co-ordinator.

What may have been classified as mischief - a man kicking his 
ex-girlfriend's car - now sets in motion a more-detailed effort on the part 
of police, the courts and a number of other groups in the community. Police 
are now also documenting instances where charges aren't laid. It's 
Kenopic's job to keep track of them for when charges do come.

Less than two years old is the city's domestic violence court, which he 
says has streamlined the process, and focused resources.

Assistant Crown attorney Kelly Weeks is the lead prosecutor in the new 
court, held each Wednesday.

"I don't think that (domestic violence) is worse, I think the problem is 
being recognized and addressed," she said.

As a result of all this, referrals to the Children's Aid Society are "right 
through the roof," said Jim Baraniuk, executive director for the local CAS.

"We've actually had a 36-per-cent increase in the number of families we've 
been dealing with over the last year, and a lot of it's related to domestic 
violence," he said.

When parents are involved in crimes like robbery, theft, fraud or dealing 
drugs, often the children have to be taken into CAS custody, at least 
temporarily, said Baraniuk. "Often, if it's adults who have children, we're 
going to be involved," he said.

Saturday: Protecting your family from sexual predators.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D