SERVING CANADIANS An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Spousal Violence in Canada, 2009 An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Spousal Violence in Canada, 2009 Ting Zhang, PhD Josh Hoddenbagh, MA Susan McDonald, LLB, PhD Katie Scrim, BA 2012 rr12-07-e This report is a work product, and the findings presented herein are not to be construed as an official Department of Justice Canada position, unless they are designated as such by other authorized documents and the report is posted on the official Department of Justice Canada Web site. An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Spousal Violence in Canada, 2009 Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................... vii List of Figures ............................................................................................ viii Acknowledgements .....................................................................................ix Highlights ......................................................................................................x Executive Summary.....................................................................................xi 1. Introduction ...............................................................................................1 1.1 Spousal Violence in Canada ..................................................................................1 1.2 Measuring Spousal Violence ..................................................................................4 1.3 Costs of Crime ........................................................................................................5 2. Methodology .............................................................................................7 2.1 Definitions ...............................................................................................................7 2.2 Framework .............................................................................................................8 2.2.1 Sources of economic impact ....................................................................................... 8 2.2.2 Geography .................................................................................................................. 9 2.2.3 Time period ................................................................................................................. 9 2.2.4 Offences .....................................................................................................................11 2.2.5 Gender .......................................................................................................................11 2.2.6 Cost categories ......................................................................................................... 12 2.2.7 Cost item-specific models ......................................................................................... 16 2.3 Data Sources ........................................................................................................16 2.3.1 Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2 (UCR2) .............................................................. 16 2.3.2 General Social Survey (GSS), Victimization, Cycle 23 ............................................. 16 2.3.3 Other major data sources .......................................................................................... 17 2.4 Limitations ............................................................................................................18 2.4.1 Data availability ......................................................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Data reliability ............................................................................................................ 18 2.4.3 Scope and method .................................................................................................... 20 2.5 Methodology Discussions .....................................................................................21 2.5.1 Classifications of costs .............................................................................................. 21 ~ iii ~ An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Spousal Violence in Canada, 2009 3. Justice System Costs .............................................................................23 3.1 Criminal Justice System .......................................................................................23 3.1.1 Police ........................................................................................................................ 24 3.1.2 Court ......................................................................................................................... 26 3.1.3 Prosecution ............................................................................................................... 27 3.1.4 Legal aid .................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.5 Correctional services ................................................................................................. 29 3.2 Civil Justice System .............................................................................................33 3.2.1 Civil protection orders ............................................................................................... 33 3.2.2 Divorce and separation ............................................................................................. 34 3.2.3 Child protection systems ........................................................................................... 38 4. Victim Costs ............................................................................................41 4.1 Health Care ..........................................................................................................42 4.1.1 Physician visits .......................................................................................................... 42 4.1.2 Emergency department visits .................................................................................... 43 4.1.3 Acute hospitalization ................................................................................................. 43 4.2 Mental Health Issues ............................................................................................44 4.2.1 Medical services ........................................................................................................ 45 4.2.2 Work loss ................................................................................................................... 47 4.2.3 Suicide attempts (medical costs) .............................................................................. 47 4.3 Productivity Losses ..............................................................................................50 4.3.1 Lost wages ................................................................................................................ 50 4.3.2 Lost household services ............................................................................................ 50 4.3.3 Lost education ........................................................................................................... 51 4.3.4 Lost childcare services .............................................................................................. 52 4.4 Other Personal Costs ...........................................................................................52 4.4.1 Damaged or destroyed property ............................................................................... 52 4.4.2 Divorce and Separation (legal costs) ........................................................................ 53 4.4.3 Special phone features ............................................................................................. 54 4.4.4 Moving expenses ...................................................................................................... 54 4.5 Intangible Victim Costs .........................................................................................55 4.5.1 Pain and suffering ..................................................................................................... 55 4.5.2 Loss of life ................................................................................................................. 57 5. Third-Party Costs ....................................................................................60 5.1 Funeral Expenses ................................................................................................61 5.2 Loss of Affection and Enjoyment to Family Members...........................................61 5.3 Costs to Other Persons Harmed During the Incidents .........................................62 5.3.1 Health care ................................................................................................................ 62 5.3.2 Productivity losses .................................................................................................... 63 ~ iv ~ An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Spousal Violence in Canada, 2009 5.4 Social Services Operating Costs ..........................................................................63 5.4.1 Shelters and transition homes ................................................................................... 63 5.4.2 Crisis lines ................................................................................................................. 64 5.4.3 Support centres ........................................................................................................