InfoPEI

Family Violence Prevention Presentation

Goals

Awareness of the issue of family violence and its impact on the workplace
Practical ideas on what to do to help
Provide information on resources available in the workplace and community

Family Violence Quiz

1. Family violence occurs in all income levels.	T	F
2. Family violence includes many forms of abuse.	T	F
3. There are many victims of family violence.	T	F
4. The victims of family violence are not to blame for the violence.	T	F
5. Family violence is a community issue.	T	F
6. Alcohol does not cause family violence.	T	F
7. Children are greatly affected by family violence.	T	F
8. Being abusive is a choice.	T	F

(The answer to each of these questions is True)
What Is Family Violence?

Family violence is any violence by one family member against another.
Family violence includes, but is not limited to
- violence by one partner against another
- violence by a parent against a child
- violence by a child against a parent
- violence between brothers and sisters
- or violence involving grandparents

Family Violence

Family violence is an abuse of power within relationships of family, trust or dependency.

It always involves someone using their power over another person in a way that is hurtful.

This abuse can take many forms:

emotional abuse
psychological abuse
financial abuse
neglect/abandonment
physical violence
sexual abuse
injury to pets
destruction of property
homicide

Types of Violence Against Children

Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Neglect
Sexual abuse
Witnessing domestic violence

Duty To Report

Every province and territory in Canada has legislation aimed at protecting children from abuse and neglect.

On Prince Edward Island, the Family & Child Services Act is the provincial legislation that address mandatory reporting and the protection of children.

The responsibility to protect children rests with every person.

Every person on PEI who has reasonable and probable cause to suspect that a child may be in need of protection must forthwith report that information to Child & Family Services.

Did you know that on PEI in the year 2000, there were…

over 8,000 calls to Transition House Association
1,647 women and children who received direct services from Transition House Association
751 new cases opened at Victim Services of which 87 were for sexual assault, 236 for wife assault, and 44 for other family abuse issues
over 1,600 reports of child abuse/neglect investigated by Child & Family Services
approximately 115 Emergency Protection Orders granted since the Family Violence Act was proclaimed on December 16, 1996

Impact Of Family Violence

"Ripple Effect"

Violence

Impact on victim and family members

Impact on child at school

Impact in the community

How Do I Know if a Co-Worker is Affected by Abuse?

You can’t unless they tell you. However, the following behaviours may be signs that abuse is happening in their lives:

frequent unexplained injuries
injuries explained with “I’m clumsy” or “I’m accident prone”
upsetting personal phone calls/contacts at work
often works after hours (to delay going home)
frequent absenteeism (to recover)
unusually quiet, nervous or jumpy
noticeable change in work habits
reluctance to attend social staff events

What Can I Do to Help?

Show Respect
Ensure Confidentiality
Be Open-Minded
Offer Support

Family Violence Resource Guide

Emergency Services	911
Crime Stoppers	1-800-222-8477 (Tips)
Anderson House	1-800-240-9894 (toll free)
Transition Support Outreach Services:
	West Prince	859-8849
	East Prince	436-0517
	Eastern PEI	838-0795
	Queens County	566-1480
Child Abuse Line	1-800-341-6868 (toll free)
Turning Point Program	368-6392
PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre
	1-800-289-5656 (toll free)
Victim Services	Charlottetown	368-4582
	Summerside	888-8217
Community Legal Information Association
	Charlottetown	892-0853
	(toll free)	1-800-240-9798
Lawyer Referral System	1-800-240-9798 (toll free)

Points To Remember

It is important to remember that.........

Nothing "justifies" abusive behaviour.
Alcohol and drugs contribute to abuse but they are not the cause of it.
Once a pattern of abuse has been established, it is very difficult to stop without outside help.
Abuse has a devastating "domino effect". Children who experience or witness abuse often repeat the behaviour in future relationships.