Leading Canada s Efforts in Preventing Family Violence

Transcription

1 Leading Canada s Efforts in Preventing Family Violence Joanne Lacroix Chair, Family Violence Initiative International Centre for the Prevention of Crime November 18, 2010

2 Family Violence as a Public Health Issue A significant, complex public health problem Results in a range of health consequences: Adult forms of illness including cancer, chronic lung disease, ischemic heart disease and fibromyalgia Physical problems (e.g., brain injuries, i disabilities i and sexually transmitted diseases) Psychological problems (e.g., depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) Has significant costs: Societal costs of child abuse in Canada estimated at $15.7B/yr Health costs of violence against women in Canada estimated at $1.5B/yr

3 A Public Health Approach to Family Violence Multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral Emphasis on primary prevention Population- and evidence-based approach To improve the quality, relevance and quantity of violence prevention research

4 Addressing Family Violence in Canada Family Violence Initiative (FVI) Reduce the occurrence of family violence in Canada by: Enhancing public awareness Strengthening the ability of the health, housing and criminal justice systems stems to respond; and Supporting data collection, research and evaluation efforts to identify a range of effective interventions. 15 Federal Partner Departments Horizontally Managed Federal l/p Provincial i l/t Territorial i lcollaboration Specific Jurisdictional Responsibilities Family Violence Prevention F/P/T Working Group

5 FVI Federal Partners Public Health Agency of Canada Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation Justice Canada Department of Canadian Heritage Royal Canadian Mounted Police Citizenship & Immigration Canada Correctional Service of Canada Human Resources & Skills Development Canada Indian & Northern Affairs Canada National Defence Public Safety Canada Service Canada Statistics Canada Status of Women Canada Health Canada

6 Public Health Agency of Canada s Role within the FVI Three key functions: Lead and coordinate the Family Violence Initiative Manage the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence Unique role as a participating department: To facilitate and share public health research and policies on the connections between violence and health

7 National Clearinghouse on Family Violence A national resource centre FV prevention, protection, and treatment Health, criminal justice, gender issues Statistics, reports, handbooks, overview papers Life stages for women, children, men and older adults Publications available free of charge, online or by phone Online inventory of resources from other sources (coming soon!) Video collection in local public libraries Canadian Best Practices Portal Quarterly E-Bulletin Newsletter

8 International Relations World Health Organization Violence Prevention Alliance World ldreport on Violence and dhealth Bilateral Relations Continue to promote leadership by health sector Strengthen synergies and increase collaboration UN Convention on the Rights of the Child PHAC and Justice Canada lead federal coordination UN Study on Violence Against Children

9 Contact Us National Clearinghouse on Family Violence 200 Eglantine Driveway Tunney s Pasture, AL 1909D1 Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9 Tel: TTY: Fax: (613) Website: bi if ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca