Premier Pat Binns joined with members of the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention today to officially proclaim activities for Family Violence Prevention Week on Prince Edward Island, which runs from February 11 to 18. This year’s theme is “Family Violence Hurts. Speak Up.”
“Family violence hurts all Islanders - individuals, families, and communities,” said Premier Binns. “I commend the many groups, businesses, communities and individuals who are involved in family violence prevention and education efforts. I urge more Islanders to get involved and speak up for safe and violence-free homes and communities in our province.”
Hon. Marion Reid, Chairperson of the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention, acknowledged that it can be hard for people to know what they can do about family violence. “Speaking up can mean different things to different people. For a family member or friend to a victim, it can mean offering support, listing with compassion and suggesting a community service that can help. “
Events organized by various community groups, businesses, schools and municipalities are taking place across the Island to mark Family Violence Prevention Week. An advertising campaign has been developed with the assistance of local media partners. Also, a new bilingual website has been launched which contains educational information for people living with violence, family members and friends, workplaces, faith communities and seniors. The website address is www.stopfamilyviolence.pe.ca. People can also get information about family violence prevention by calling Island Information Service at 1-800-236-5196 during regular business hours.
Leona Arsenault of Abram’s Village, a survivor of family violence, talked about what speaking up can mean to someone who is living with violence in their daily life. “First of all, it’s recognizing that you are being abused, especially if it isn’t physical abuse. Then, it’s more like whispering, quietly finding someone who can help you when you make the decision to do something about it. Staying safe is your biggest concern.”
In Prince Edward Island, if a person witnesses or suspects child abuse, it is mandatory to report to Child and Family Services by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-341-6868. If a person suspects or witnesses abuse or neglect of an older person, contact Adult Protection through a Home Care office.
To learn more about family violence prevention, visit www.stopfamilyviolence.pe.ca or call (902) 368-5967 or 1-800-236-5196.
BACKGROUNDER
About Family Violence:
Family violence is any form of violence by one family member against another. It includes but is not limited to violence by one partner against another partner, by a parent against a child, by a child against a parent, between brothers and sisters, and may involve senior family members and grandparents.
Family violence may include:
• physical assault
• emotional or psychological abuse
• sexual assault
• threats
• financial abuse
• neglect or abandonment
• shaking a baby
• murder
• destruction of property or pets
About the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention:
The Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention was established in 1997 and includes 26 individuals and members who represent community organizations and government. Collectively, the committee’s mandate is to monitor, encourage and support initiatives to prevent family violence in PEI.
The vision of the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention is a society where all individuals are safe, respected and valued; where any form of violence is unacceptable; and where children, women, and men have opportunities to reach their full potential and contribute to the overall well-being of families and communities.”
Statistics:
• In Prince Edward Island, children were known to be involved in 50 per cent of domestic violence reported to police. (Source: Brown, Police Response to Domestic Violence: A Provincial Overview, 2005)
• The number of spousal violence incidents against women has declined since 2000 while the rate of violence perpetrated by boyfriends has increased. (Source: Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006, Statistics Canada)
• In an public survey of Islanders, 40 per cent of respondents said they would go to social services, 32 per cent to the police, 15 per cent to medical people, 11 per cent to Transition House and 11 per cent to clergy if they needed information about family violence. (PEI Family Violence Survey, 2000).
• Almost half of violent incidents against seniors (both family and non-family violence) go unreported to police. (The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Reports in Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile 2006)
• There were 129 referrals to Adult Protection services in 2005; 71 per cent were with respect to seniors aged 65 or older according to the adult protection consultant for the Province of Prince Edward Island.
Where to go for help:
For a listing of emergency contacts, counselling, community, justice and legal services, go to www.stopfamilyviolence.pe.ca