Chapleau teen charged with assaulting partner

Sault tragedy spotlights intimate partner violence Norma Elliot of Women in Crisis Algoma joins Brendan Connor to discuss how the tragedy pushed intimate partner violence into the spotlight.

A 17-year-old from Chapleau has been charged with domestic abuse-related offences after Ontario Provincial Police were called following a physical altercation.

Officers from the Superior East detachment were called to Martel Road shortly after 2 a.m., OPP said in a news release Thursday.

The teen was charged with spousal assault, spousal assault with a weapon and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to an intimate partner.

"The term 'spousal' refers to any intimate partner," Const. Ashley Nickle told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email.

"The parties involved do not need to be married or even common law for this to apply and it applies to both current and past intimate (romantic) partners."

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, the definition of an intimate partner includes their current or former spouse, common-law partner and dating partner.

"Sometimes the charge will be described as 'spousal' (such as with assaults) and sometimes they’re described as 'domestic' (such as with mischiefs)," Nickle said.

"They mean the same thing."

The teen suspect was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in March.

"The identity of the accused is being withheld due to the domestic nature of the incident, and as it is protected under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act."

Support for survivors

Survivors of intimate partner violence are not alone. If you or someone you know are experiencing abuse, support services are available.

READ: 'It's not as simple as walking away': Crisis worker on why people stay in abusive relationships