Victim Services of Nipissing District gets support from police board

Article content

The North Bay Police Services Board has declared Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic. 
 
That was good news to Kathleen Jodouin, the executive director of Victim Services of Nipissing District.   

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Victim Services of Nipissing District gets support from police board Back to video

Jodouin, who made a presentation to the police board on Tuesday morning, wants to make a presentation to North Bay City Council and have them make a municipal declaration of an IPV epidemic.   

That attempt has been met with resistance from the city. 

“They have said it is not a municipal issue,” says Jodouin.  “In one press release they have said they can raise a flag or make a proclamation.” 

Jodouin says that response falls far short of what Victim Services of Nipissing District is looking for.   

“We find that very disappointing because we need more than a flag raising, we need transformative action,” remarked Jodouin.   

North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico and Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield are on the police board and support the motion by that board to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic. 

“I appreciate that the police services board has been supportive of this motion in declaring it an epidemic. I am hopeful that Maggie and the mayor will bring this forward to municipal council and reconsider their denial of our delegation,” says Jodouin. 
 
The focus then shifted to Mayor Chirico who says the delegation has been denied a formal audience with council due to a procedural bylaw dealing with presentations. 

“We felt that the proper venue to do it (approve the motion) was the police services board,” says the North Bay Mayor.  Chirco added that it is up to council if they want to change the municipal bylaw regarding council presentations. 

Deputy Mayor Horsfield told The Nugget she intends to bring a motion forward to council to have IPV declared an epidemic. 
 
Through a release, North Bay Police Chief Scott Tod stated, “I am encouraged by the decision of the board to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. The impact of intimate partner violence is profound and far-reaching. The North Bay Police Service will always stand up for victims and survivors and do everything in our power to ensure that perpetrators face justice and victims receive the support they so desperately need,” he stated.  

“Organizations like Victims Services of North Bay and Amelia Rising do a tremendous job supporting victims of intimate partner violence, but they require support. I hope this declaration will spur action here in North Bay, across Ontario and Canada.”