Reach out, speak out: preventing family violence

November is Family Violence Prevention Month and this year the province’s theme is “Reach Out. Speak Out – It Takes All of Us.”

Using that theme, the government is working to bring Albertans together to raise awareness, support survivors and end family violence.

“No one should live in fear for their safety or suffer in silence as a survivor. Our government and community partners are working hard to raise awareness about what everyone can do to help those who are hurting, and the supports that are available so victims, both men and women, don’t have to suffer alone. That is how we will make life better for everyone in this province.”

Irfan Sabir, Minister of Community and Social Services

To launch Family Violence Prevention Month, Minister Sabir sat down with participants of the Fathers Moving Forward program to talk about the active role men and boys can play in raising awareness and preventing family violence.

“Fathers Moving Forward is one of Canada’s first researchbased programs for teen fathers. We passionately believe that fathers, no matter what their age, are not optional. Their healthy involvement is essential to the well-being of children and to family violence prevention.”

Patricia Jones, CEO, Catholic Family Service

Fathers Moving Forward is just one of the programs the province is funding to help engage men and boys about the issues surrounding family violence and the ways they can take action or get help.

Since 2015, the Alberta government has invested $14.1 million in 64 community programs across the province to combat family violence. Supports include nearly $8 million for 39 community programs that focus on family violence, $3.5 million for 15 programs about community-capacity building and $2.6 million to support 10 projects related to parenting and early childhood development.

Quick facts

• Family Violence Prevention Month began in 1986 as a community initiative in Hinton.

• In one year (September 2016 to September 2017), the province provided the following supports:

o 1,303 Albertans were helped through the Family Violence Info Line, toll-free at 3101818.

o 3,600 individuals and families received emergency financial assistance through the Albertans Fleeing Abuse Benefit.

o 269 Safer Spaces certificates were issued to help people leave their tenancy without financial penalty due to family violence.

• In 2016-17, the province provided $50 million to women’s shelters and outreach services for those in crisis from family violence:

o 4,914 women and 3,808 children were admitted to shelters and 20,605 women and 6,712 children were supported through outreach services.