GRANT STORY - SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
Strong support in a crisis can make the difference between vulnerability and security, between taking a stand against domestic violence or continuing the cycle of abuse. Vancouver Foundation granted $60,000 to the Surrey Women’s Centre Society to provide two counsellors to help with domestic violence cases. By partnering with the RCMP and coordinating other services in the community, they made the community safer for women. By providing support to vulnerable women, they decreased the risk of serious physical injury from domestic violence, and successfully prosecuted more high-risk offenders, making home a safer place for these women.
DATA
Dangerous driving on the rise
Criminal Code traffic offences include impaired and dangerous operation of motor vehicles, boats and aircraft, driving a motor vehicle while prohibited, and failing to stop or remain at the scene after an accident.
In 2006, there were 364 Criminal Code Traffic Offences for every 100,000 people in metro Vancouver. Although the number of Criminal Code traffic offences dropped 81% from 1992 to 1998, they increased 50% between 2000 and 2006. Source
Search and rescue, environmental incidents increase
Emergency incidents refer to dangerous goods, search and rescue, environmental, natural and other incidents. The Provincial Emergency Program responded to 1,904 emergency incidents in the southwest region of British Columbia between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008. Over the 2000/01-2007/08 period, search and rescue incidents increased 26% and the number of environmental incidents increased from 3 to 40. The number of incidents in other areas remained constant. Source
Workplace injury claims stable
The number of claims and costs of work injuries is an important indicator of workplace safety. The number of claims in metro Vancouver remained relatively consistent from 2002 to 2007. Over the same period, the cost of claims decreased by about 10%. Source
Gang violence perceived as serious
In a 2007 poll, 95% of metro Vancouver respondents said they believed gang violence is a serious problem in the region. Overall, women were more likely than men to consider the
problem “very serious” rather than “somewhat serious”. Likewise for people over 45 compared to people age 18-44. Source
Property crime rate down 71% since 1992
Property crimes include breaking and entering, theft, possession of stolen goods and fraud. The per capita property crime rate in metro Vancouver declined 71% between 1992 and 2006, when the rate was 5,874 per 100,000 people. While the rate has declined over time, it is higher than rates in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary. Source
