As Albertans grapple with rising living costs, recent research reveals a hidden financial burden: the failure to prevent male perpetration of domestic violence. This situation carries a steep public price tag, and investing in preventive measures can save both money and lives.
Released by Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence in collaboration with the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work and the School of Public Policy, the study sheds light on the costs incurred when systems react to violence after it occurs. The findings indicate that the economic implications of domestic violence are staggering, with estimates suggesting that it costs Calgary around $58 million annually in 2024 dollars.
Notably, taxpayers shoulder over 90 percent of these costs, as public funds are primarily used to respond to violence rather than prevent it. However, the research also highlights a promising prospect: implementing earlier intervention strategies could lead to considerable cost savings while averting future harm.
“Investing in prevention isn’t just an ethical imperative; it’s also a financially prudent choice,” asserts Lana Wells, the report’s lead author. “Preventing male perpetration of domestic violence not only reduces taxpayer burden but also mitigates the pain inflicted on women and children in families and communities.”
Lana Wells holds the position of Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence and is an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work. Lead of Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence, she has spent years partnering with the Calgary Police Service to analyze the patterns of domestic violence perpetration and pinpoint opportunities for intervention.
This report is the third in a series focused on how policy can address this pressing issue. Earlier findings demonstrated a troubling trend: there is a significant escalation in police contact and criminal behavior in the two years preceding a domestic violence charge. Intriguingly, a second study revealed that 64 percent of men charged with domestic violence had prior non-criminal interactions with police—instances where officers responded to reported harm without a crime being committed. These moments of contact present critical opportunities for diversion and intervention that are currently overlooked.
A Closer Look at the Costs
To estimate the financial toll of domestic violence in Calgary, Wells and her co-authors, including Dr. Herb Emery and Casey Boodt, meticulously reviewed police reports and detailed costing data associated with law enforcement responses, court processes, and victim services, such as healthcare. The findings illustrate that the aftermath of violence is not only costly but preventable.
Researchers modeled a scenario where men contacted by police were connected to evidence-based behavior-change programs. This proactive approach could potentially lower domestic violence rates by up to 40 percent. Had such preventive measures been in place in Calgary over the past five years, the financial savings could have exceeded $93 million.
“We cannot rely solely on arrests to eliminate domestic violence,” emphasizes Wells. “While accountability is vital, prevention means acting sooner. This study illustrates how public funds can be redirected toward more effective solutions by offering community support before violent behaviors are criminalized.”
The report underscores that men are often the primary perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence in Canada. However, many of these men face heightened risks related to factors such as suicide, substance abuse, and disconnection from support networks, which contribute to their potential for violence.
From Crisis Response to Prevention
The authors of the study advocate for a broader focus on prevention, addressing the underlying social conditions that influence men’s behavior. Both police and community organizations see the value in this approach.
“Domestic violence is a complex public safety issue that demands a community-led solution,” notes Deputy Chief Asif Rashid of the Calgary Police Service. “While we need enforcement to protect victims, significant advancements will come through collaboration with community organizations and researchers to stop violence before it starts.”
Similarly, FearIsNotLove CEO Kim Ruse emphasizes that the findings corroborate the effectiveness of early intervention. Her organization has been involved in the Equally Safe initiative, a model that connects first-time offenders to community support instead of engaging in punitive measures. Since its inception in 2020, this program allows police officers to refer individuals to behavioral intervention programs, thereby preventing further escalation.
FearIsNotLove also participates in The Men& Project, a prevention initiative aimed at fostering healthy relationships and accountability among men and boys before violence occurs. “Prevention is about making it easier for men to seek help before situations escalate,” Ruse explains. “Program initiatives like Men& are vital for reducing harm and reinforcing families and communities.”
Wells asserts that the new economic evidence bolsters the argument made by violence-prevention advocates: “Prevention works. It conserves public resources, enhances police effectiveness, and most importantly, it prevents harm. The challenge now is not whether we can prevent violence but whether we are willing to take action.”
For a deeper dive into these findings, you can read the full report here.
