According to a 2016 Statistics Canada report: Nearly 4% of victims of family violence were 65 years or older. Nearly 61% of incidents of elder abuse were physical assaults against older adults, and 21% involved threats. 34% of older adults were victimized by a family member
Everyone has the right to a peaceful and safe existence and yet domestic violence can be found everywhere in our world. Spouses become afraid to report or to take action. The idea and concept that many victims of abuse believe that they are responsible for the maltreatment they receive. If they could only just be a better person. My spouse beats me because they love me. When you live with your tormentor there may never be an escape. Many of our elderly face this when living with a family member responsible for their care. Domestic violence is a situation that can be fixed and should be corrected in our society.
December 2, 2021
Ottawa – Department of Justice Canada
All people living in Canada should be safe and free from physical, emotional and sexual violence, discrimination, and harassment, regardless of where they live. As the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified systemic and longstanding inequalities, there is an increased need and urgency to fund initiatives aimed at supporting survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) across the country.
Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the launch of a call for proposals for projects that assist victims of intimate partner violence to access and navigate the family justice system, and that improve justice system responses to this type of violence. This funding will be provided through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program.
Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $35 million over five years for enhanced family justice system supports for victims of intimate partner violence. These investments build on Budgets 2017 and 2018 with total funding of over $600 million over five years and complement efforts underway as part of the Government of Canada’s Gender-Based Violence Strategy.
Intimate partner violence, also known as spousal or domestic violence, refers to multiple forms of harm caused by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. IPV can happen in any community, in any type of intimate relationship, including within a marriage, common-law or dating relationship, in a heterosexual or LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit) relationship. It can happen at any time during a relationship and even after it has ended, whether or not partners live together or are sexually intimate with one another.
Quotes
“One distressing impact of the the COVID 19 pandemic is an alarming increase in intimate partner violence. We all have a role to play in taking meaningful action to ensure that intimate partner violence is eradicated. Victims of intimate partner violence need support to navigate the family law system, and we need to improve how the justice system responds to this kind of violence. The call for proposals we are launching is an important step in that direction. ”
The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
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