Police AssociAtion of novA scotiA 71 The Government of Canada – through the work of FVI member departments – made important contributions to international-level work on family violence, including the work of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Violence Prevention Alliance, the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women, the implementation and monitoring of UN conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Children, and the ongoing work of the UN Human Rights Committee. Statistics Canada contributed knowledge and expertise to other countries on measuring family violence. Correctional Service of Canada shared its expertise and knowledge on evidenceinformed prevention and treatment programs. The FVI worked extensively with family violence stakeholders and external partners to both broaden and deepen the knowledge base about family violence and translate knowledge into practice. Much of the knowledge generated, as well as practical tools and resources to address family violence, is widely accessed by Canadians through the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, Canada’s key resource for family violence information. From April 2004 to March 2008, measures to strengthen the justice system to address family violence issues were also undertaken. For example, the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canada Evidence Act were amended to further strengthen child pornography provisions (including increasing penalties and introducing mandatory minimum sentences for specific sexual offences against children); to create new offences related to the sexual exploitation of youth (aged 1418) and voyeurism; to increase protection of victims of spousal violence by measures to facilitate the criminal law enforcement of breaches of civil restraining orders; and included enabling measures to facilitate testimony of child victims and witnesses. The RCMP developed new resources for front-line police officers and provided officer training on investigating and responding to relationship violence incidents and issues. Front-line officers continued to work with communities they police to address local family violence issues. The Department of Justice Canada contributed to greater public legal education of family violence issues, through its enhanced family violence website and the addition of a specialized site devoted to youth that provides age appropriate information on defining family violence, understanding the legal context, and where to get help if a child believes she or he is being abused. With the collaboration of federal, provincial and territorial partners, the shelter system was also enhanced during this period. For example, the Department of Justice Canada contributed to the development of a mobile training for front-line shelter workers in Inuit communities. According to the results of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s evaluation of its Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP), SEP contributed to increasing the capacity of the shelter system by adding new family violence shelters as well as new beds/units on and off reserve. A contribution has also been made to bring shelters up to standards of health and safety, to enhance security, accessibility for persons with disabilities and play areas for children, and to support shelters to carry out needed repairs. The SEP funding covered 40 percent of all shelter repairs in the evaluation period and was highly incremental. In First Nations communities where shelters are operating, the evaluation also reported that fewer women had to leave their communities to seek protection and that shelters also contributed to more community engagement in prevention activities. Providing support for community-based violence prevention projects through various funding instruments of FVI partners (namely the Department of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women Canada, the Department of Justice Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and the National Crime Prevention Centre) remains a key strategy to raise public awareness, engage community members and strengthen local partnerships, knowledge, skills, linkages and networks to address family violence issues. While the federal FVI investment is making a meaningful contribution to addressing family violence issues, it is clear that more remains to be done. Under the leadership of PHAC, horizontal management of the FVI will continue to ensure a strategic focus and guard against overlap and duplication of effort. FVI partners will continue to focus on addressing the issues and often unique circumstances of specific sub-populations affected by violence at various ages and life stages, including women, children, young people, older adults, Aboriginal populations, and others living in conditions of risk or disadvantage. The FVI will continue to recognize diversity within sub-populations. It will continue to work on aligning departmental performance reporting with the FVI umbrella RMAF to strengthen program capacity and effectiveness and accountability for results. FAMILY VIOLENCE INITIATIVE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR APRIL 2004 TO MARCH 2008 Department of Justice Canada The Department of Justice Canada contributed to greater public legal education of family violence issues, through its enhanced family violence website and the addition of a specialized site devoted to youth that provides age appropriate information on defining family violence, understanding the legal context, and where to get help if a child believes she or he is being abused. ...Family Violence Initiative continued continued...
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