“Family violence is a reality for many Island families, communities and workplaces,” said Hon. Gail Shea, Minister responsible for the Status of Women. “It has taken three decades of public education, the Victims of Family Violence Act and the courage of many survivors to dispel the myth that what happens inside the home is no one’s business.”

Family violence is an abuse of power within relationships of family, trust or dependency. This abuse takes many forms including psychological abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, neglect, abandonment, injury to pets, destruction of property and homicide.

According to the Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women, a total of 1,986 women used support services, including Anderson House and outreach services, in PEI from April 2004 to March 2005. Further, the Police Response to Domestic Violence Study of 2005 indicated that children are involved in 50 per cent of domestic violence reported to police in the province.

At the workplace, family violence and abuse often takes the form of harassing phone calls, visits, threatening e-mails, and loitering in view of the workplace. Many victims of violence report absenteeism, tardiness, inability to focus and avoidance of supervisors after an assault at home.

“Family violence has no age limit and impacts people at all stages of life from childhood to senior years,” said Hon. Chester Gillan, Minister of Social Services and Seniors. “Abuse and neglect of older persons also exists in our province. Such abuse can mean physical or psychological mistreatment, sexual abuse, financial abuse of an older person or neglecting his or her care.”

Minister Shea added, “I encourage Islanders to take part, get involved with groups working to end the violence and challenge relationships based on power and control.”

Events are taking place across the Island to observe Family Violence Prevention Week. For more information on activities or family violence prevention, contact Rona Brown, Coordinator, Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence, Department of Social Services and Seniors at 368-6712.

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION WEEK 2006

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

February 13:

An education and awareness session on Healthy Relationships will take place at Parent Power, East Prince Youth Development Centre, Summerside.

The Provincial Child Sexual Abuse Advisory Committee will meet in Charlottetown.

February 14:

Staff at Access PEI, O’Leary, will host their annual fundraising luncheon with proceeds being donated to the West Prince Family Violence Prevention Co-operative. Recognition of the work of two past board members will also take place, along with the distribution of materials on family violence.

A workshop on domestic violence will be held for front line services providers in Charlottetown, hosted by the Queens County Domestic Violence Working Group.

Training to police and Child Protection workers on recent amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada in Charlottetown.

February 15:

The Silent Witness Project will be presented to all grade 10 students at Westisle Composite High School, Elmsdale. The Silent Witness Project is an exhibit of life-size red wooden silhouettes bearing the name of a woman who died tragically as the result of domestic violence. Each figure bears the name of a woman who once lived and worked among us. Because the women no longer have a voice, the silhouettes are called Silent Witnesses.

An education session on Family Violence and the Impact on Children will be given to all grade 10 students at Westisle Composite High School, Elmsdale.

The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the East Prince Family Violence Prevention, Inc., will host a Business Outreach Luncheon. The guest speaker is Dr. Christine MacNearney from the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention. This event is open to public and starts at 11:50 a.m. at the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club. Call the Chamber Office at 436-9651 to reserve your seat.

February 16:

A presentation on the Abuse of Older Persons will be given to the cadets at the Atlantic Police Academy, Slemon Park, Summerside.

February 17:

A presentation on Domestic Violence will be given to the cadets at the Atlantic Police Academy, Slemon Park, Summerside.

February 19:

A presentation on Bullying will be given to the St. Paul's Youth Ministry, St. Paul’s Parish, Summerside.

Other Activities:

• Distribution of Purple Ribbons and information cards across the Province.

• An information poster will be posted at all libraries and CAP sites in West Prince. This poster will refer people to websites for women's health issues, family violence, legal issues, men in support of change, etc.

• Every day, a lucky customer will win a free “special of the day“ during Family Violence Prevention Week at Vinny’s Restaurant in O’Leary. This event is in recognition of the ongoing financial support from Vinny’s Restaurant, through weekly 50/50 draws, to the West Prince Family Violence Prevention Co-operative.

• East Prince Family Violence Prevention Inc. & West Prince Family Violence Prevention Co-operative have encouraged all schools, churches, and members of Prince County communities to engage in Random Acts of Kindness throughout Family Violence Prevention Week.

• Students taking part in the Youth Multimedia Project on Relationship Violence at Montague Intermediate have launched a public awareness campaign entitled SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere). SAVE bracelets are available from students at both Montague Senior High and Montague Intermediate Schools. Information sharing about relationship violence with students and hosting video-taped interviews will also take place.

• 2006 marks the 25th Anniversary of Anderson House, the province’s only emergency shelter for women and children. The shelter opened in Charlottetown in June 1981.

For details on events listed, please contact Cindy Ferguson, Administrative Support, Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence, at (902) 368-5967.