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2025 Intimate Partner Violence preliminary statistics show a 6% increase from 2024
Back to SearchFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 10:05 a.m.
(Ottawa)— The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is continuing in our commitment to transparency and awareness about the increasing rates of violence against women in our community.
Today, we are releasing annual statistics for 2025 showing that 7,840 Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) incidents were reported, resulting in 2,626 charges laid. Reports include both criminal and non-criminal incidents; however, charges can only be laid in criminal offense reports. This is an average of 21 calls per day related to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Further charges may be laid as some of the incidents reported in 2025 remain under investigation. There were 4 femicides* in 2025.
In 2024, there were 7,390 reported incidents of IPV, and 2,812 charges laid. It should be noted that OPS crime data is related to all incidents of IPV and, as such, victims, both women and men, are represented here.
The most prevalent violations in 2025 were:
- Assault-Partner Level 1
- Breach Under Recognizance-Partner
- Assault w/Weapon or Cause Bodily Harm Level 2
- Harass Communications-Partner
- Utter Threats to Persons-Partner
Demographics of victims in partner-related offences are as follows:
Per age group:
- 5% were under the age of 18;
- 30% were between 18-29 years old;
- 49% were between 30-45 years old;
- 13% were between 46-59 years old;
- 4% were over the age of 60.
Per gender:
- 80% identified as female;
- 19% identified as male.
| Data note |
| We recognize that the data being reported today differs significantly from previous years. This is due to a comprehensive review of how we calculate and report our metrics. This review identified opportunities to improve consistency, accuracy, and alignment across our data sources. In response, we have made targeted investments in proper data management processes and tools. We remain focused on continuous improvement to ensure our data reflects the highest standards of quality and transparency. |
In 2025, the OPS continued our focus on Violence Against Women (VAW) and introduced new initiatives to ensure we continue to prioritize trauma-informed and victim-centred care when dealing with high-risk and vulnerable victims, namely:
- Victim Choice Reporting allows victims of historical abuse an alternative to reporting that does not involve patrol response. Victims who meet the program’s criteria are offered more trauma and violence-informed methods to report incidents of abuse.
- A mandatory template to be used in incidents of strangulation and mandatory Strangulation Risk Training for front-line officers and specific OPS sections. This allows us to ensure that victims are properly informed about the risks of strangulation and are offered prompt medical treatment. It allows us to collect and analyze data on strangulation occurring in our jurisdiction
- A risk screening tool to be used by patrol officers in incidents of domestic disputes where no charges are laid. This tool was developed in partnership with the Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University. This risk screener is then reviewed by the Victim Support Unit to identify victims who are at high risk and highly vulnerable.
- A new Senior Advisor for Violence Against Indigenous Women was hired to allow us to improve our response to calls involving our Indigenous community and to increase relationships.
- A new language interpretation app was installed on many OPS-issued cell phones, allowing for direct contact with an interpreter when needed. This allows victims to be able to share their experience immediately when an officer responds.
“Intimate partner violence and the harm it causes, especially to women, remains deeply concerning in our city,” said Chief Eric Stubbs. “That’s why we’re committing to the regular public release of IPV statistics: to increase awareness, support informed community action, and strengthen transparency and accountability. It’s one important step toward prevention and meaningful change.”
“The OPS’s efforts are critical in building trust with the community and encouraging survivors to come forward and report,” added Melanie Winwood, OPS Senior Advisor-VAW.
| * Femicide definition |
| A femicide is generally defined as “the killing of women and girls because of their gender,” often driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and girls or unequal power relations between women and men. The Ottawa Police Service also builds on the definition recommended by our VAW community partners as “the misogynist killing of women and girls because of their gender, overwhelmingly committed by men.” |
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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.
Help make your community safer: register your information and security camera location at CAMSafe.ca to support investigations.
CONTACT:
Media Relations
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366