New data from Statistics Canada shows a disturbing trend in Saskatchewan when it comes to family violence and intimate partner violence.

Saskatchewan has the highest per capita rate of this type of violence, with 732 reported cases of intimate partner violence for every 100,000 people.  The family violence number is similar with 730 cases of family violence reported to police for every 100,000 people.

The national average is 346 reports to police per 100,000 people. The numbers are from 2022.

This leads the country by a wide margin with Manitoba being second with almost 100 fewer cases per 100,000 people.

NDP Leader Carla Beck says the provincial government is turning a blind eye to these problems.

“Intimate partner violence has gotten considerably worse under Scott Moe. Actions speak louder than words, though we have not had much of either from this government. It’s time to take real action.”

The provincial government’s own numbers show at last count, 291 people were waitlisted for access sexual assault counselling services. The average wait time to see a counsellor in the north of the province is three to six months.