Reducing Family Violence - A Comprehensive Federal Approach
Family violence occurs in relationships of intimacy, kinship,
dependency, or trust. It ranges from physical, emotional,
financial, and sexual abuse to neglect.
The Government of Canada has renewed its commitment to address
family violence in Canada.
On behalf of the federal government and 13
partner departments, the Public Health Agency of Canada
coordinates the Family Violence Initiative (FVI). With the
long-term goal of reducing the occurrence of family violence
in Canada, the Government of Canada provides the Family Violence
Initiative with $7 million permanent annual funding. This
allocation supports and complements activities across seven
departments and agencies: Public Health Agency of Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Justice Canada, RCMP,
Canadian Heritage, Status of Women Canada, and Statistics
Canada.
Additionally, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Human Resources
Development Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Correctional
Service of Canada and the Department of National Defence address
family violence issues through existing departmental programs
and activities.
The FVI promotes public awareness of the risk factors of
family violence and the need for public involvement in responding
to it; strengthens the criminal justice, housing, and health
systems to respond; and supports data collection, research
and evaluation efforts to identify effective interventions.
This Initiative marks a new stage in federal efforts to reduce
family violence. The issue of family violence has been integrated
into ongoing programming in many government departments. We
have learned that the best way to address family violence
is to support a common vision and a coordinated approach.
Under the Family Violence Initiative, the Public Health Agency of Canada also
manages the National
Clearinghouse on Family Violence (NCFV). The NCFV is Canada's
resource centre for information on violence within the family.
It provides a centralized and comprehensive reference, referral
and distribution service for information on
aspects of family violence prevention, protection, and treatment.
The Family Violence Initiative: Year 5 Report ( HTML - PDF )
Departmental Activities
Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation delivers the Shelter Enhancement
Program and in certain circumstances provides capital funding
for new emergency shelters and second stage housing.
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada promotes awareness of family violence through
citizenship and immigration policies and programs.
Correctional Service
of Canada addresses family violence through research,
treatment programs and staff training.
Department of Canadian
Heritage supports family violence prevention projects
for off-reserve Aboriginal women, supports prevention activities
for non-English/French speaking members of ethno-cultural
communities via ethnic media and English/French as a Second
Language programs, aims at reducing media violence, and to
a limited extent, conducts research and evaluation activities
regarding family violence.
Department of
Justice Canada reviews, researches and reforms criminal
justice legislation and policy, funds community-based family
violence projects and provides public legal education and
information support regarding family violence.
Department of National
Defence conducts awareness and education training
for DND and Canadian Forces (CF) personnel on issues of family
violence and violence against women. It provides support,
counselling and referral services for service members and
their families who are victims of family violence.
Human Resources
Development Canada collects and disseminates information
related to social policy.
Indian Affairs
and Northern Development Canada funds First Nations'
emergency shelters and community-based projects on prevention,
intervention, treatment and research on family violence.
Public Health
Agency of Canada researches the population health
consequences of family violence, develops resources and promotes
policies, programs and projects that contribute to family
violence prevention.
Public Safety
and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) is responsible for protecting Canadians and helping to maintain a peaceful and safe society. Apart from the contributions of PSEPC Portfolio Agencies, Correctional Services Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which are listed individually on this web page, the Department addresses the issue of family violence through a wide range of activities such as: promoting public awareness of family violence issues; support for community based initiatives that aim to reduce family violence and other forms of victimization; developing tools, approaches and research that help contribute to safer communities; and providing Aboriginal community policing services.
Royal Canadian Mounted
Police supports community-based workshops on victims'
issues, sexual assault, and relationship violence, and assists
communities in using problem-solving approaches to family
violence.
Statistics Canada
works to improve the availability of national data on the
nature and extent of family violence.
Status of Women Canada
supports projects that lead to systemic changes and alternative,
long-term prevention strategies.
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