Femicide: Why advocates say improved tracking, labelling is needed

Advocates for women who are victims of domestic violence say authorities need to call it what it is: femicide.

“We all know how the story ends,” said Mount Royal University Women and Gender Studies Prof. Kimberly Williams. “We just never talk about it, we just never name it, and femicide helps to name it, femicide helps to collect data”

Ottawa police began using the term femicide a few years ago, calling it a “significant step in recognizing the epidemic of violence against women.”

It’s not something the Calgary Police Service does, but officials tell CityNews it’s been considered in the past.

Nine people have been killed by their intimate partner in Calgary since 2023 — all of whom are women.

Most recently, 31-year-old Maria Hirmiz was killed last Friday in what investigators believe is a case of domestic-related homicide. A 41-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder.

“If you go to different law enforcement agencies across the country, they all have different definitions of what it is. So it’s very difficult to get national data on what’s really happening,” explained Kim Ruse, CEO of FearIsNotLove.

She says unified terminology could encourage more tracking, increase funding and research, and help more people be aware of the warning signs.

That’s something that might have helped Calgarian Autumn Crosschild, who was murdered in a Calgary home in 2022 by her then partner.

Her sister, Nikki Heavyrunner, says her family called in numerous wellness checks in the days prior to her death. She feels her sister was let down by authorities, and others, who she feels should have recognized the risk to Crosschild’s life.

“I think when they’re at that point, when they’re going to the police, they’re going to the hospital, their family is worried, I think they should probably be trying to actually help them,” Heavyrunner said. “Because there’s women that are terrified.”

Heavyrunner says she’s sharing her sister’s story with the hope it helps someone else in a similar situation.

“It is everywhere. It is your friends and family. And maybe they haven’t disclosed to you, but you do know people who are impacted by domestic violence every day,” Ruse added.

If you or someone you know is concerned about intimate partner violence, call 403-234-SAFE or 911 if there is immediate danger.