Family Violence Prevention

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Family violence describes a pattern of abusive behaviours within a relationship characterized by intimacy, dependency or trust. These types of relationships can include:

Children exposed to or experiencing family violence
People in intimate partner relationships, including dating relationships
Seniors experiencing abuse from family members

All forms of abusive behaviour are ways in which one human being is trying to have control, induce fear, or have power over another person.

Family violence is not a private family matter. Everybody has the right to feel safe and not live in fear.

We can achieve safety for everyone if we all work together.

Where Can I Turn to for Help?

Family or Domestic Violence

For Emergencies
Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

The Police Non-emergency line to submit a report: 780-423-4567 or #377 on any mobile phone.
The Family Violence Information Line for help (24/7): Call/text 310-1818. Supports and services are available, including financial aid, housing/shelter and pet safety.
Family Violence Info Line Chat: Online chat

Elder Abuse

If you or someone you know is affected by elder abuse, please consider these resources for support, advice or action:

The 24-hour Seniors’ Abuse Helpline, available 7 days a week: 780-454-8888
Elder Abuse Intake Line: 780-477-2929

How Do You Recognize Family Violence?

Family violence comes in many forms. Abusive behaviours often increase in frequency and severity throughout the relationship and can include some or all of the following forms of abuse:

Emotional/psychological abuse
Financial abuse
Stalking
Physical violence
Sexual violence
Spiritual abuse

Other terms related to “family violence” include:

Domestic abuse/violence
Intimate partner violence
Elder Abuse
Gender-based violence

What are the Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship?

Your partner:

Makes you feel like you’re walking on eggshells
Makes all the financial decisions or uses your cash, credit or loans
Puts you down or calls you names
Calls you a bad parent or threatens to take away your children
Accuses you of having affairs
Forces you to have sex
Stops you from seeing friends and family
Pinches, bites, pushes, slaps, hits, kicks, restrains or strangles you
Snoops through your social media, internet history or emails
Threatens to hurt or kill you, members of your family or your pets
Threatens suicide when you try to leave

What Can I Do to Prevent Family Violence?

Often people experiencing family violence feel isolated and alone. You are not alone! It’s widespread, serious and preventable.

For Everyone

Get involved with local activities, like the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign (25 November–10 December)
Today Centre training for individual and groups to better understand and address family violence
Report a sexual assault online: if you were touched in a sexual manner by an unknown or known person (such as partner, co-worker) without consent or forced into sexual intercourse or acts

For Men

Get involved with other men standing up to family and gender-based violence through Next Gen Men, White Ribbon or the Moosehide Campaign
Challenge gender norms and sexist behaviours by letting people know these behaviours are not acceptable to you

For Employers

Find out whether your workplace or organization has developed a framework to address family violence as over half of those reporting domestic violence indicated at least 1 abusive incident occurred at or near the workplace
Hold an event raising awareness of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November)

How Can You Support Others Facing Family Violence?

We all play a role in preventing family/domestic violence. You can help support someone experiencing family/ domestic violence by:

Recognize if someone is acting differently, seems out of character or is afraid or fearful
Empathize with the person experiencing family or domestic violence
Ask what they need and how you can help them
Listen to what they want and find ways to stay connected
Remember to follow their lead. They may be home with their abusers 24/7 during an illness, and it is crucial not to put that person at even more risk