Niagara police report sharp rise in domestic violence investigations

Niagara police say domestic violence investigations are on the rise. The statistics are from a two-year period from 2023 to 2025, according to the police board’s annual report on domestic and family violence. However, the numbers are likely higher because experts say many acts of domestic violence go unreported. Jennifer Gauthier is with Birchway Niagara, a shelter for women and children who are escaping violence, and she says the need is high. “We are serving 220 women this year, 139 children — but still turning away more than that. And so, the calls for support remain really high,” Gauthier said. What her organization is seeing is reflected in a recent Niagara police board report. Domestic violence-related criminal investigations are up, climbing from 1,149 in 2023 to 1,814 in 2025 — a 57.8 per cent increase.