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Family Violence:
Department of Justice Canada Overview paper
What Factors Play a Role in Family Violence?
Dynamics
Abuse is sometimes described as a misuse of power and a violation of trust. An abuser may use various tactics to gain access to a victim. Once access is gained, the abuser will isolate, manipulate and exert power and control over the victim, and will prevent the victim from telling anyone about the abuse or seeking support.
Often, power differences between the perpetrator and the victim play a role in the abuse. Abused adults or children are often in a position of dependence on the person who is abusing them. For example, the victim may be abused by a parent, sibling, other relative, caregiver, guardian, spouse, common-law or dating partner. Perpetrators of sexual abuse tend to be older than their young victims and are likely to be more knowledgeable about sexual activity. They may spend a lot of time befriending and grooming their victims. They may use threats, physical force, or forms of psychological coercion, such as bribery, deception or trickery, to gain access to their victims and to make them compliant.
The abuse may happen once and consist of a single act, or it may involve various tactics and occur in a repeated and escalating pattern over a period of months or years. Abuse may change form over time. The abusive acts may become more serious, frequent and intrusive. The abuser may act alone or be part of a group that abuses the victim. In many cases, the negative impact on victims can last a lifetime.
Causes
There are many forms of family violence and many theoretical perspectives on its causes. Some experts believe that family violence is linked to power imbalances in relationships and inequities in our society. This view is supported by the fact that abusers are often in a position of power or trust over their victims. Other experts focus on the socio-psychological characteristics of the individuals involved. Regardless of the diversity in perspective, it is clear that family violence is a complex problem with many different, contributing factors—at the individual, relationship and societal levels.
People from every walk of life—regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, education, cultural identity, socio-economic status, occupation, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities or personality—may be vulnerable to being abused.
Vulnerable Groups
The most vulnerable groups in our society[36] are Aboriginal people,[37] children and youth, women, individuals with low socio-economic status,[38] people with disabilities,[39] visible minorities,[40] immigrants and refugees,[41] gays and lesbians[42] and individuals living in rural and remote communities.[43] For people in these vulnerable groups, being victimized and abused are linked to the web of intersecting inequalities[44] they experience.
Increasingly, it is believed that a person's vulnerability to abuse is linked to factors that affect and marginalize individuals and communities,
- such as living conditions, including inadequate housing and geographic isolation;
- unemployment;
- economic vulnerability, including poverty;
- sexism; racism; discrimination;
- disability;
- homophobia;
- social isolation;
- language or literacy barriers;
- dislocation;[45] and
- colonization.[46]
In addition, negative social attitudes about aging and discrimination against older adults in society[47] may contribute to abuse.
Many children who were sent to institutions in the past, including residential schools, experienced abuse. Most of these children were from marginalized groups in our society, including children with disabilities, children from racial and ethnic minorities, Aboriginal children and children living in poverty.[48]
All the marginalizing factors and intersecting inequalities compound the effects of the abuse and decrease the likelihood of it being reported. The factors are often combined with a lack of access to the criminal justice and child welfare systems and other community services and supports, including community and health services, housing and long-term care facilities. Caregivers may experience barriers that prevent them from acquiring the necessary skills, resources and supports to prevent abuse, or they may lack access to the services and supports they need to address it.
Family Violence in Aboriginal Communities
According to a 2003 report by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, family violence in Aboriginal communities is linked to a complex web of factors at the individual, extended family, community and social-environmental levels. The violence involves a number of social problems that operate as a syndrome, and it is linked to the historical experiences of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.[49]
For Aboriginal peoples, the experience and devastating consequences of colonization—in particular, the undermining of traditional beliefs and values, and family and community structures through the residential school system—have contributed to social problems, including family violence, that are experienced in some Aboriginal communities today.[50]
In some Aboriginal communities, family violence and abuse have become part of their way of life. The violence itself takes many forms and occurs among individuals, nuclear and extended families, and communities. It is connected to a larger pattern of intergenerational abuse and, as a result, the violence is almost always linked to individual or collective trauma and the need for healing.
All of these factors and the resulting behaviours have profound implications that must be considered when developing appropriate community responses. [51]
What Are the Consequences of Family Violence?
Consequences for Victims
Family violence has devastating consequences for victims. For individuals who experience family violence, the violence can have psychological, physical, behavioural, academic, sexual, interpersonal, self-perceptual or spiritual consequences.[52] Depending on the nature, extent and duration of the abuse, the effects may appear immediately, or they may emerge over time. Often, the effects of family violence on an individual are not recognized or understood by others, adding to the isolation experienced by those who are abused. In some cases, consequences can be fatal.
Abuse can also be devastating for those who are not the intended target. For example, children who are exposed to violence in their homes may experience serious effects that threaten their health, safety, behaviour, emotional and social development, and educational progress.[53]
For more information about the consequences for victims, please refer to the other overview papers in this series.
Consequences for Abusers
Abusers are responsible for the violence and harm they cause. In some cases, abusers may have been abused or exposed to abuse themselves. They may have learned that abuse is a legitimate way of exerting power and control over others. They may continue to harm others even if it destroys their relationships or has other negative consequences on their lives. Although there is little research in this area, perpetrators risk many negative repercussions:
- involvement in the criminal justice system and criminal sanctions, such as incarceration and a criminal record;
- destruction of current relationships and the possibility of jeopardizing future relationships;
- shame, rejection and social condemnation;
- involvement with the child welfare system and loss of custody or access to their children; and
- dismissal or other sanctions for those working in care settings.
Some abusers kill their victims and themselves as well. Data on homicides and homicide-suicides are provided in the overview papers on spousal abuse, child abuse, and abuse of older adults.
Consequences for Families and Communities
Family violence affects victims, their families and communities. Family members, friends, neighbours, volunteers and caregivers may feel worried, confused, anxious, angry or helpless when abuse occurs. In some cases, depending on the nature of the family members' relationship with and dependence on the abuser, they feel shame, guilt and anger about their inability to protect the victim and to stop the abuse. Many of the negative consequences victims may experience—including mental health problems, or the use of self-destructive coping strategies, such as substance abuse—may have direct impacts on family members and others. Similarly, communities are affected when violence occurs and individuals who have been victimized are unable to participate fully or make a positive contribution to community life.
Consequences for Society
Beyond the enormous personal and social costs of family violence are the economic costs for Canadian society. Although the total costs related to all forms of family violence have yet to be calculated, two key cost studies in specific areas have suggested that the costs are very high. A research study reviewing the costs of various forms of violence against women, including women abused in intimate relationships, estimates that Canadian society pays $4.2 billion per year in social services, education, criminal justice, labour, employment, health and medical costs. The total criminal justice costs alone were about $900 million per year.[54]
Another study measured the costs of child abuse in Canada in 1998, including the judicial, social services, education, health, employment and personal costs of violence. According to this study, the total cost of child abuse for Canadian society was more than $15 billion, including more than $600 million in judicial costs.[55]
Preventing and Responding to Family Violence
In cases of family violence, victims and abusers are involved in intimate or dependent relationships and often have strong emotional ties. Given the extent of family violence in Canada—as well as the complexity of this issue and its enormous impact—an effective response requires the ongoing commitment and collaboration of community members, practitioners and all levels of government across Canada. Community services and supports for victims, such as shelters, are essential.
The Department of Justice Canada and its partners, including provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, are working together to ensure that the criminal justice system responds more effectively to protect victims and to hold abusers accountable. Justice Canada recognizes that to be effective, criminal justice system personnel must participate in multidisciplinary and cross-sector approaches. Key strategies include legal reform, public and professional education, research, and support for programs and services. Much of this work is linked to the federal government's current Family Violence Initiative, which focuses primarily on violence against women and children occurring in the home. Other areas of activity include, for example, the Aboriginal Justice Strategy, the Policy Centre for Victims Issues, and the Supporting Families Experiencing Separation and Divorce Initiative (formerly the Child-Centred Family Justice Strategy).
Reforming the Law and Enhancing Its Implementation
Justice Canada is responsible for ensuring that the Criminal Code effectively addresses family violence. This includes:
- determining acts that are criminal offences under the law
- providing options for police and prosecutors in charging and prosecuting offenders
- specifying the factors that judges should take into account in sentencing offenders
- creating measures that can be used to protect victims from being re-victimized while they are involved with the criminal justice system or afterwards
- providing options for dealing with offenders.
Justice Canada monitors how existing Criminal Code provisions are being applied in cases of family violence and, where necessary, proposes changes or additions to the provisions of the Criminal Code. For a list of changes that have been made to the Criminal Code to improve the ability of the criminal justice system to address family violence, see the "Legislative Reforms" section of Justice Canada's Family Violence Initiative website.
Justice Canada works with its provincial and territorial partners to identify common issues and to exchange information in order to improve the effectiveness of charging practices, prosecutorial practices, and measures that protect victims and deal with abusers.
Other Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Family Violence
In addition to reforming the law and enhancing its implementation, Justice Canada is involved in many other strategies to prevent and respond to family violence.
Public legal education
Justice Canada, in partnership with public legal education organizations across Canada, actively supports and promotes public legal education on the issue of family violence. For example, the booklet Abuse is Wrong provides general information about family and intimate partner abuse. The emphasis is on educating Canadians about the prevalence and dynamics of family violence, their legal rights and options, and the criminal justice process in cases of family violence. This includes developing culturally appropriate materials, such as Abuse is Wrong in Any Language and Abuse is Wrong in Any Culture.
Professional development and resources
Justice Canada recognizes that the response of justice system personnel in cases of family violence is crucial. Police, Crown attorneys, judges, probation officers, victim-witness assistance personnel, correctional personnel and others play a key role in providing services that are sensitive, appropriate and supportive. Justice Canada is involved in developing resources to promote awareness of family violence, knowledge of the dynamics of family violence, and an understanding of best practices in cases of family violence. Justice Canada, with its provincial and territorial partners, has also developed and distributed key resources, such as Criminal Harassment: A Handbook for Police and Crown Prosecutors, for justice system personnel.
Research, data collection and information-sharing
Justice Canada recognizes the important role of research and data collection in enhancing our understanding of family violence and in developing effective measures for preventing and responding to cases of family violence. Justice Canada works with researchers across Canada to examine emerging issues. The focus is on learning from the experiences and insights of family violence victims, criminal justice system practitioners and communities. The information is used to improve the response to family violence.
Support for program and service delivery
Effective programs and services for victims of family violence are essential. Justice Canada is involved in supporting program development and its implementation through pilot-testing new models. These initiatives improve the criminal justice system's response to family violence, including implementing new approaches to prosecution and providing additional mechanisms for supporting victims and witnesses. The types of pilot projects and activities that are funded include:
- assessment of the response of the criminal justice system and professionals to family violence;
- development of new strategies, models and tools to improve service/program delivery to family violence victims in crisis;
- development and implementation of support for child victims and witnesses of family violence in the criminal justice process;
- development of family violence resource tools for service providers, including those in hard-to-reach communities, such as rural and Aboriginal communities; and
- development of information, strategies and tools for easier access to services relating to family violence to meet the needs of vulnerable groups, such as older adults, people with disabilities and immigrants.
For further information on Justice Canada's efforts to prevent and respond to family violence, visit Justice Canada's family violence website and the overview papers on spousal abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation of children and youth, abuse of older adults and dating violence.
For Further Reading
- spousal abuse
- dating violence
- child abuse
- sexual abuse and exploitation of children and youth
- abuse of older adults
