Toronto Police Conducts Info Session on Domestic Violence, Other Common Crimes

Police Constable Matt Romeral of the Toronto Police Service delivers a presentation on domestic violence and other common crimes affecting newcomers. (Toronto PCG photo)

TORONTO 19 March 2019 – As part of the world-wide observance of International Women’s Day and the month of March as National Women’s Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto organized an information session on domestic violence and other crimes with the Toronto Police Service (TPS) at the Consulate General on 16 March 2019.

In her remarks, Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero said the information session is part of the Consulate General’s efforts to intensify information dissemination on addressing this threatening situation.

“Domestic violence is an offshoot of the social costs of migration.  As a migrant community, majority of whom are women, we are more vulnerable to abuse.  But it is not surprising though that in recent times, we hear of a growing number of men, being subject to domestic violence,” the Consul General said.

Constable Romeral’s presentation was divided into three parts: crimes against property; crimes against personal safety and security; and on domestic violence.

He discussed how to prevent fraud and cited examples of prevalent scams. He also talked about important issues on personal safety, home/residence safety and vehicle safety that the community would find valuable. 

On the topic of domestic violence, Constable Romeral said that within the Filipino community, incidents of domestic violence are on the rise. He noted the distinction between the terms “domestic incident” and “domestic assault.”

“If a police officer forms reasonable grounds and deems the reported incident as one that involves mere assault, he or she can stall the arrest of the person/s involved. However, in the case of domestic violence, the police officer has no discretion whether to arrest or not arrest an involved party (or parties),” he added.

He ended his presentation by citing the services available for those affected by domestic assault. END

Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero (center) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Police Constable Matt Romeral and his work partner at 32 Division of the Police Constable Kayla Khan. (Toronto PCG photo)

Police Constable Matt Romeral and Kayla Khan, together with some of the participants to the information session, pose for a group photo. (Toronto PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.