Police-reported dating violence in Canada, 2008

In 2008, among incidents perpetrated by intimate partners, one quarter of all violent incidents reported to police and one third of homicides involved individuals in dating relationships. Illustrating the importance of exploring violence in all types of intimate relationships, this report examines the prevalence and characteristics of incidents of police-reported dating violence in Canada. For comparison purposes, the population of interest includes individuals aged 15 and older, consistent with previous analyses of police-reported spousal violence in Canada. Results suggest that the characteristics of police-reported dating violence have largely mirrored those of spousal violence, with some notable exceptions. Incidents of dating violence in same-sex relationships and those involving younger victims between the ages of 12 and 14 are also explored in this report.