SOLUTIONS: A FAMILY VIOLENCE EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Facts

• 200 000 women and 177 000 men reported abuse in 2000 in Canada
• The abused were children, spouses, and the elderly
• This represents about one in ten Canadians each and every year
• These are only those we know about. Abuse is severely underreported
• Many victims are unaware that what they suffer is abuse until informed by friends, relatives, or professionals. They believe “that’s just the way it is.”
• Once aware that they are in abusive relationships, victims are often advised or believe they should not report

1. to keep the family together at all costs

2. to avoid community or family knowledge of the situation

3. to protect the abuser

4. to protect their financial situation

5. to avoid retaliation by the abuser

6. because the abuser will never do it again

• Abusers almost always do it again and usually escalate their abuse over time
• Children raised in abusive families often become abusers themselves, even when they are not the direct victims of the abuse
• A large percentage of violent offences are committed by victims of abuse
• Victims frequently do not know what they can do about their situation
• Adult abusers rarely stop abusing

Needs

• Children must be taught
  1. to recognize abuse in all its forms
  2. that abuse is wrong
  3. what they can and should do about an abusive situation
  4. what a healthy relationship looks like
• A national commitment to actively address family violence
• Emphasis on stopping the cycle of violence for future generations
• Provide honest and impartial advice to victims

One Solution

A nationally mandated curriculum on family violence delivered to all Canadian children in both public and private schools. It can be delivered in an annual seminar/special assembly format by specially trained facilitators that travel from school to school. It must begin at the kindergarten level, and be targeted to the developmental level of the group. It should include dramatic enactments of healthy vs. abusive interactions so that children can recognize abuse when they see it.

Conclusion

There is no “quick fix” to the problem of family violence. Education of our children, however, does provide hope for future generations to be free from the cycle of violence.