How the RNC deals with intimate partner violence

A specialized unit within the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary that's dedicated to reducingintimate partner violence (IPV) says it tracks individuals and warning signs to keep people from being victimized.

• Her ex-boyfriend went to jail for raping and beating her. Now she sees him right next door

This week, CBC News has explored many issues related to partner-on-partner violence, including stories from two women who were abused and say the justice system isn'tdoing enough to curb assaults by husbands andboyfriends.

The IPVunit monitors cases going through the court system involving abusive relationships, and takes note of any court conditions a person is ordered to comply with. That could mean staying a certain distanceaway from an ex partner or obeying the terms of acurfew.

We try to look at the bigger picture in terms of property damage, criminal harassment and stalking.- MalinEnstrom

If there's concern, theIPVunit can call on a separate undercover unit within theRNCthat deals withcompliance of orders, which can monitor a person of interest.

"Just being aware of vehicles being driven by accused persons, checking theareaof the victims, making sure those accused persons are not around,"Const. Lindsay Dillon told theSt. John's Morning ShowThursday.

MalinEnstromis a civilian member of the force and a crime analyst identifying crime patterns, trends and backgrounds.

She works to identify at-risk couples and flags escalation in violence in existing relationships.

"Physical assaults and chokingare in itself a red flag but we try to look at the bigger picture in terms of property damage, criminal harassment and stalking," Enstrom said.

"In its isolation, it may not look like intimate partner violence but when you add to the bigger picture you get an image of escalation [of violence]."

Help when no charges laid

If a woman needs protection but isn't quite ready to come forward and lay a charge, Dillon saidthe RNC can offer a safety plan.

"It's a quick reference to what you can do, who you need to contact, resources that are available for them," she said.

Dillon said the unit can let other officers know where the woman lives so they can keep an eye out.

There's also a "residential hazard" designation that can be placed on the home where the victim lives so that if she calls 911, officers will know there is a history of abuse and respond quickly, Dillon said.

Statistics Canada says one out of every two women15 and older in Newfoundland and Labrador will experience physical or sexual violence.

In 2015, 1,109 women reported violence by a boyfriend or husband, while 343 men reported an assault by their partner.