Family Violence: Information

Family Violence: Building a Definition

4 pages
"Family violence describes a systematic pattern of abusive behaviours within a relationship that is characterized by intimacy, dependency and/or trust. The abusive behaviours exist within a context where their purpose is to gain power, control and induce fear."

This packages defines family violence, types of abuse between domestic partners, and child abuse. It also provides an explanation of the legal definitions and discusses the breadth of the problem.

Family-Violence-Building-a-Definition.pdf

Family Violence: Facts to Consider

4 pages
"Family violence costs over $4.2 billion in Canada. This figure includes social services, education, criminal justice, labour, employment, health, and medical costs. "

This package provides some startling statistics about child abuse, violence against women, violence against men, and abuse & neglect of older persons.

We also recommend you read the Statistics Canada study, Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile from 2008.

Family-Violence-Facts-to-Consider.pdf

Family Violence: Is This Me?

2 pages
"It may take time to realize your relationship is abusive. It may take time to admit that a person you love, someone you thought loved you, is willing to say and do things that hurt you. "

This package provides encouragement and advice if you recognize your own relationship may be abusive.

Family-Violence-Is-This-Me.pdf

Family Violence: Recognizing & Helping

2 pages
"There is no perfect way to bring up the subject of abuse. Telling them you care about their safety and the safety of the children can be a powerful way to start. Make family violence material available to them. "

This package offers advice and guidance to practitioners who suspect someone they know is in an abusive relationship, and make some observations about non-reporting of child abuse.

Family-Violence-Recognizing-and-Helping.pdf

Child Abuse: Signs & Symptoms

5 pages
"There are clues that a child or youth may be in an abusive environment. However, not all abused or neglected children exhibit these characteristics, and not all children who show these symptoms live in abusive or violent homes. If you observe the following, be aware that the child may be abused, neglected, or exposed to abuse. However, some of the following signs may also be an indication of other kinds of upset in a child’s life, such as the loss of a pet, illness, or death in the family."

This package offers signs & symptoms of child abuse for educators to be on the lookout for. The package highlights tell-tale differences between abusive and non-inflicted injuries, a guide to interpreting sexualized behaviour in children, and a discussion on differing views on physical punishment.

Child-Abuse-Signs-and-Symptoms.pdf

Child Abuse Handout

2 pages

This package is a simple handout that summarizes the key signs of child abuse and neglect.

Child-Abuse-Handout.pdf

Child Abuse: If you Suspect Child Abuse

6 pages
"Child abuse is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a private family matter. It is not. Every province has its own child protection laws that require abuse or neglect of a child be reported. If you have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, it is your responsibility to report your concerns to the child welfare agency, social service department, or police in your community. Reporting is neither difficult nor time-consuming. Anonymous reports are accepted and acted upon."

This package details what educators should do if they suspect child abuse. This includes a discussion of the "Duty to Report", how educators have traditionally responded, and a disclosure checklist to help you should you need to contact child protection.

Child-Abuse-If-you-Suspect-Child-Abuse.pdf

Child Abuse: How to contact Child Protection

6 pages

This package offers Child Protection contact information for all provincial regions, Mètis settlements, and delegated First Nations agencies.

Child-Abuse-How-to-contact-Child-Protection.pdf

Relationship Between Domestic Violence & Child Abuse

3 pages
"Victims of childhood abuse are at a greater risk of becoming individuals who use abusive behaviour. A recent study done for Correctional Services Canada found that 75% of abusive husbands came from violent abusive families. "

This package describes the cycle of violence--how abusive environments harm children now and in the future. It also offers some advice to educators wondering how to talk to a young child when a parent is convicted of domestic violence.

Relationship-Between-Domestic-Violence-and-Child-Abuse.pdf

Family Violence: What can Each of us Do?

2 pages

This package offers concrete suggestions of what we can do as educators, as men, and as citizens to prevent family violence.

Family-Violence-What-can-Each-of-us-Do.pdf

Family Violence: Organizations & Resources

4 pages

This package offers contact information for organizations, resources such as books, and services available to educators and victims of family violence.

Family-Violence-Organizations-and-Resources.pdf