The number of police interventions for domestic violence increased slightly last year in the canton of Vaud. Between 2022 and 2023, they increased from 1,499 to 1,582. The number of offenses noted during these interventions is also increasing from 3,422 to 3,531.
The police intervene on average four times a day at home and expel the person responsible for the violence in almost one in three cases, summarized the State of Vaud in a press release on Thursday, publishing the fourth report of its Domestic Violence Observatory.
In 2023, the number of offenses recorded therefore increased by 3.2% compared to 2022. According to police crime statistics, this slight increase comes mainly from the observed increase in verbal violence and assault. Physical violence causing bodily harm is stable, qualifies this report.
This document reminds us, as every year, that these are cases reported to the police. It is therefore “likely that an indeterminate number of cases of domestic violence are not reported to the police and are therefore not included in these statistics”.
Between partners and ex-partners
Domestic violence mainly occurred between partners (51.1%) and ex-partners (22.7%). This distribution has been stable in recent years, according to the report. Women are mainly registered as victims of offenses reported by the police in the context of relationships between partners or ex-partners: there are 1010 women victims for 352 men.
In more than 50% of cases of domestic violence, the offenses involve sexual coercion and assault. This is followed by threats (more than 40%), rape (more than 30%) and bodily harm (less than 20%). These average percentages are valid for the last nine years, the document specifies.
The recorded homicides/feminicides increased from three in 2022 to seven in 2023. An increase which is mainly explained by the quadruple homicide committed in Yverdon-les-Bains.
Last year, 30% of police interventions resulted in immediate eviction from the home (compared to 27% the previous year). Around 400 evictions were issued in 2023 by the police, compared to 350 in 2022.
Busy help centers
Regarding support, consultations for domestic violence at the Victim Support Center (LAVI) continued to increase to 1,303 (1,207 last year). In terms of accommodation, nearly 200 women were able to find refuge and assistance last year on the two sites managed by the MalleyPrairie Reception Center (CMP). A stable figure compared to 2022.
Also note that 80% of perpetrators evicted from home (77% in 2022) went to an initial interview at the Ale Prevention Center. These sessions aim to initiate reflection work and renounce the use of violence within the couple.
For children exposed to violence in a parental couple, the figures still remain significant. The General Directorate of Children and Youth (DGEJ) recorded 697 reports in 2023, compared to 611 a year earlier.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
