2019 Criminal Code amendment adds strangulation as separate offence
New strangulation law raises awareness of domestic violence, holds offenders accountable More than 200 strangulation-related charges have been laid in Waterloo region since it became a separate offence under the Criminal Code two years ago. The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) said so far this year, it has laid 120 charges, 10 of which were laid in November. Even with two months left in 2021, this year saw more cases than the previous when a total of 103 charges were laid. There may be several factors contributing to the rise in numbers, says Staff Sgt. Jamie Brosseau, who's in charge of the regional police's intimate partner violence unit.