Quebec provincial police have observed a notable rise in cases of intimate partner violence, although they clarify that the increase does not necessarily indicate a surge in actual violence occurrences. Lt. Caroline Girard, who heads the Sûreté du Québec’s division for intimate partner violence, mentioned that the increase in reported cases may be due to more individuals feeling comfortable coming forward about such situations.
Over the past decade, police interventions in instances of intimate partner violence have notably increased. According to statistics from the SQ, the number of criminal cases initiated within a conjugal violence context has tripled, rising from around 4,266 in 2015 to 12,822 in 2024. The data, initially disclosed by La Presse, highlighted significant spikes in recent years, particularly post-2020, which authorities attribute to various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, alterations in reporting methods, and policy revisions.
From January to November 2025, law enforcement opened 8,989 cases, indicating a trajectory to match or surpass the preceding year’s total. Since 2015, approximately 90,000 dossiers related to intimate partner violence involving at least one criminal offense have been documented. During the period from 2015 to 2025, 72 police investigations were initiated into the deaths of women in a conjugal setting, with annual figures ranging from three to ten cases. Seven cases were recorded in 2025, though these figures are based on ongoing SQ investigations and are subject to change.
In a recent joint statement, two provincial ministers revealed that in the initial weeks of 2026, four women lost their lives in Quebec due to intimate partner violence. SOS violence conjugale, an organization providing support to victims of intimate partner violence, noted a significant increase in calls for assistance. In 2018, the organization received fewer than 25,000 calls annually, a number that surged to over 60,000 the following year. The demand for housing among victims also spiked, escalating from approximately 7,000 in 2020 to 19,000 in 2025, as outlined in the organization’s 2024-25 report.
Notably, Claudine Thibaudeau, clinical co-ordinator at SOS violence conjugale, remarked on the challenges faced by women seeking to leave abusive situations, citing difficulties in securing adequate housing as a major obstacle. While the increased awareness of signs of intimate partner violence is positive, the surge in help requests has burdened social workers, resulting in a nearly 30% drop in success rates over five years.
Jocelyne Jolin, executive director of SOS violence conjugale, emphasized the overwhelming demand for assistance and the scarcity of available housing, underscoring the urgent need to provide resources for victims. Frédérique Bilodeau, a spokesperson for La Méridienne, a shelter for victims of intimate partner violence, stressed the necessity to expand services to accommodate the heightened demand, noting instances where individuals seeking help had to be redirected to distant organizations due to capacity constraints.
Thibaudeau expressed concern that despite the spike in calls, many individuals in need are still hesitant to seek help. She emphasized that each woman’s death due to intimate partner violence is not just a personal tragedy but a societal failure, calling for collective action to address the issue effectively. If you are in immediate danger or know someone who is, please call 911. For those affected by family or intimate partner violence, assistance is available through crisis hotlines and local support services.