Police AssociAtion of novA scotiA 75 FAMILY VIOLENCE INITIATIVE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR APRIL 2004 TO MARCH 2008 Department of Justice Canada WHAT IS FAMILY VIOLENCE? Family violence includes a range of abusive behaviours that occur within relationships based on kinship, intimacy, dependency or trust. Family violence is abusive behaviour that can be physical, sexual, psychological or financial. It can also take the form of physical or emotional neglect. Canadians from all walks of life have experienced or have been affected by family violence. It has serious health and social consequences. SCOPE, NATURE AND EXTENT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE Family relationships are based on bonds of kinship, intimacy, dependency or trust. Family violence violates these bonds. Although there has been significant public and professional attention directed at addressing many different dimensions of family violence, it continues to occur, in somewhat shifting patterns. Public dialogue on family violence and its consequences, as well as new and innovative research on family violence, continue to deepen and expand knowledge of this complex and tragic issue. Violence in family relationships takes many forms and may include acts of physical or sexual assault (as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada) as well as other forms of physical and sexual abuse and exploitation, financial exploitation, neglect, emotional abuse and spiritual abuse. Whether family violence is part of an ongoing pattern of experiencing or witnessing abusive behaviour or is an isolated incident, the consequences can be devastating and in some instances fatal. Since 1997, Statistics Canada has produced an annual report, Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, which details new information on family violence in ...Family Violence Initiative continued continued...
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