Questioned by a reader, the newspaper wanted to verify at the source an observation according to which cases of domestic violence and sexual assault seem to be increasing. After verification, it is unanimous, there would not be more violence, but more denunciations.
“We have noticed an explosion in requests since the pandemic, the numerous femicides and the arrival of specialized courts. But, is there an increase in violence, or is it more denounced? », asks Véronique Mercier, communications manager for Havre l’Éclaircie, which supports women victims of domestic violence and their children.
Notably, this year the organization recorded an accommodation rate of 111%, a historic high. However, Ms. Mercier knows that language has evolved. “Before, women did not always recognize themselves in the term domestic violence. Now we’re talking about toxic relationships, red flags, etc. Women and adolescent girls recognize each other more,” she says, emphasizing that Havre l’Éclaircie is raising awareness much more than in the past, in different environments.
“Violence sets in very sneakily. It must be seen as a series of strategies and acts of control over others. Violence is not only physical, but psychological, verbal, sexual and economic. We also talk about coercive control for everything that involves isolating, monitoring, controlling, threatening, harassing the victim,” she said, aware that it is often very difficult to leave a marital relationship. , while the ex-spouse’s control strategies even tend to multiply after the breakup.
Same observation at Jonction pour elle, which is a shelter for women victims of domestic violence and their children.
“The numbers are increasing every year. […] For the year 2023-2024, our occupancy rate is 136%. We must redirect women to other homes and to SOS Domestic Violence,” informs its director Sylvie Bernatchez, who also attributes the increase to the awareness campaigns carried out during and after the pandemic.
“The women heard them and asked for help. […] Attention must be paid to all manifestations of coercive control. Domestic violence rarely begins with physical violence and certain manifestations can, taken one by one, go unnoticed and receive innocuous help. It is their repetition, day after day, which ends up creating a climate of terror among the victims. We therefore hope that victims, but especially professionals, are able to recognize manifestations and intervene. »
“Children and adolescents are becoming more and more aware of this type of offense and are more daring to file a complaint than at one time,” said Julia Richard, deputy director and socio-judicial worker for Équijustice Beauce.
“The principles regarding consent have changed in recent years. The emphasis must be placed on the fact that a person who consents also has pleasure. If this notion is absent from the equation, there is no consent. Besides, consent can be verified, it can be asked, it can be validated. […] There is nothing “not serious”. »
On the side of the Center for Assistance and the Fight against Sexual Assault (CALACS), Julie Houde, social guard and communications manager, is of the opinion that government campaigns, as well as the #metoo movement launched in 2017, allowed many people to speak publicly about their experiences and to be heard.
“Every situation is different. We have noticed that there are more people who request our services after having been sexually assaulted while intoxicated with one of the date rape drugs. We are also seeing an increase in requests from people who have suffered assault from their spouse. There are also more and more situations linked to the sharing of intimate photos,” she said.
You should know that the number of people supported by the organization increased from 97 to 133 between 2004 and 2020. This figure jumped during the pandemic to reach 343 reports in 2024.
