Calgary... A new provincial public awareness campaign encourages more Albertans to reach out to victims of family violence.

Built around the theme: End the silence. Stop the violence, the campaign is aimed at Albertans who traditionally may not want to get involved, or who don't know what they can do if they suspect abuse.

"Alberta has the highest reported incidence of family violence in the country," said Heather Forsyth, Children's Services Minister. "Our own research shows us that Albertans believe they have a personal responsibility to help reduce family violence in their community. Family members, friends, neighbours and co-workers are in a unique position to help."

In addition to television commercials, movie theatre ads, and postcards being mailed out to all rural Alberta homes, the campaign also features a new government, toll-free information line: 310-1818. This new 24-hour line will assist callers with information and advice on how they can reach out to someone they suspect might be struggling with family violence. The information line is staffed by trained information and referral specialists.

"Most people want to help, but don't quite know how," said Forsyth. "November is family violence prevention month in Alberta and I encourage all Albertans to take this opportunity to learn what they can do to prevent family violence in their community or reach out to someone they know who might be struggling with violence at home."

The new campaign was announced on November 1, the same day that government's newly revised Protection Against Family Violence Act takes effect in Alberta.

More information on this campaign, as well as a number of downloadable and customizable resources to assist communities in their efforts to prevent family violence is available on Children's Services' new family violence prevention website, www.familyviolence.gov.ab.ca.

The new campaign is a direct result of commitments made during the Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying held in May 2004. The total cost of the campaign is $750,000.

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Backgrounder: Overview of government's actions to prevent family violence attached.

Children's Services Communications
(780) 427-4801

Calgary... The public awareness and education campaign is only one part of an array of provincial programs and initiatives to help prevent and respond to family violence. These include:

• The Community Incentive Fund provides funding to local community projects that are working to prevent and respond to family violence and bullying. The program was launched in 2005-06, and over $9 million has been provided to community projects over the past two years. The goal of the fund is to encourage local groups and business to work together to develop programs and initiatives specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of their community.

• The newly amended Protection Against Family Violence Act takes effect Nov. 1. The changes include the addition of stalking to the definition of family violence, making Alberta only the second province in Canada to include this provision. Protection has been extended to include family members who do not reside together, such as seniors, and counseling can now be provided to children who've been exposed to family violence, without having to obtain the consent of the abusive parent. Information and training on the changes is being provided to judges, justices of the peace, police, and Children's Services staff. A full copy of the act can be found at www.qp.gov.ab.ca.

• In addition to funding 489 women's shelter beds across the province, government also provides $2 million each year to women's shelters and Métis Settlements so they can offer outreach services to the community. Included in this funding is an outreach project through the Strathmore shelter and Calgary Counseling Centre that is helping male victims of abuse and their children.

• The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act recognizes that exposure to domestic violence or severe domestic disharmony contributes to the emotional injury of a child. Policies, casework practices and training in Alberta have been enhanced to improve the service response to children exposed to domestic violence.

• Family Violence and Bullying Prevention Coordinators are designated in each of the 10 Child and Family Services Authority regions across the province to assist in developing coordinated and collaborative community responses to children, youth and families in family violence and bullying situations.

• The Alberta government is hosting an International Policy Forum on Family Violence in Calgary November 1-2. This forum, which follows up on the work started at last year's World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence, is bringing together leading international experts on family violence. The input gathered will help create a collective framework for action - at the international, national and local level - that responds to the needs of individuals, families and communities affected by family violence. The forum's working sessions include the development of specialized responses to child maltreatment and family violence as well as working across jurisdictions and sectors to build coordinated networks to be more responsive to the issue of family violence.

More information on these initiatives can be found at www.familyviolence.gov.ab.ca.

Nine partnering ministries are working together to prevent and respond to family violence through implementation of Alberta's Prevention of Family Violence and Bullying Strategy:

1. Children's Services (coordination lead)
2. Justice and Attorney General
3. Health and Wellness
4. Education
5. Community Development
6. Human Resources and Employment
7. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
8. Solicitor General
9. Seniors and Community Supports

• Alberta has the highest rate of reported family violence in Canada and leads the country in domestic assault, homicide-suicide and stalking. Statistics Canada, General Social Survey, 2004
• In Canada, three in 10 women experience violence in their relationships. Statistics Canada, 1993
• In 2001, Alberta police responded to more than 6,000 spousal abuse incidents in which charges were laid 67 per cent of the time. Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security
• In 2002, approximately one-quarter of all violent crime victims were also family violence victims and 62 per cent of individuals were abused by spouses. Statistics Canada, 2002
• Rates of spousal abuse are highest among 15 to 24 year olds. Statistics Canada: Family Violence in Canada, 2005
• In 2003, exposure to domestic violence was the second most common form (28 per cent) of substantiated child maltreatment in Canada. Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2003: Major Findings (2005)
• In Canada, 21 per cent of women abused by a partner were assaulted during pregnancy with 40 per cent reporting that the abuse began during pregnancy. Statistics Canada: Family Violence in Canada, 1999
• Some studies show that as many as 80 per cent of Aboriginal women have been abused by a partner. LaRocque, 1994

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Children's Services Communications
(780) 427-4801

To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

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