Domestic violence is up again across Chatham-Kent and so is the number of the charges laid.
It's a trend that's been going on since 2007.
Chatham-Kent police said they received 2,219 domestic violence calls last year that resulted in 1,275 charges being laid. Reported incidents jumped by 459 from the 1,760 reported in 2018 when 1,218 charges were laid.
Most of the charges in 2019 were for assault (377), including assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, and sexual assault. Other charges include breaching probation or court orders, uttering threats, mischief, forcible confinement, criminal harassment, firearms, and choking.
"These crimes are often committed in a context where there is a pattern of assault and/or controlling behaviour," cited the 2019 year-end report. "This violence may include physical assault, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. It can include threats to harm children, other family members, pets or property. The violence is used to intimidate, humiliate or frighten victims, or to make them feel powerless."
Chatham-Kent police also said domestic violence may include a single act of abuse and may also include a number of acts that may appear minor or trivial when viewed in isolation, but collectively form a pattern that amounts to abuse.
Chatham-Kent police are also reminding anyone who is in danger that officers will still try to get in touch with them even if they hang up after calling 911.
"We answer 911 calls made from across our Municipality on a daily basis," Emergency Communications Centre Manager Sheri Somerville said. "We would like to remind everyone that even if you can’t talk or if you dial and the line is disconnected; we will do what we can to try to find you."
One such call resulted in domestic violence charges being laid in Chatham early Wednesday morning when a caller hung up and didn't pick up the line when called back. Officers were then sent to the home to check on the well being of all.
Sommerville said her operators received 35,033 emergency 911 calls or notices last year and 4,249 of them were hang-up calls or notifications, which require callbacks. Police said dropped calls or hang-ups require more investigation so if you dial 911 by mistake stay on the line and let the call taker know that you called in error.
Chatham-Kent police said emergency operators couldn't make contact with 643 of the 911 hang-up calls last year.