What are the facts about family violence?
• Alberta has the highest rate of reported spousal assault in Canada at 11 per cent. (Alberta Round Table on Family Violence and Bullying). • Family violence is not caused by the use of alcohol or drugs. Abusers who assault their victims often use alcohol or drugs as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility for their violent behavior. • Family violence occurs in all ethnic, racial, economic, social, and age groups. There are no exceptions. • Family violence is a crime. It is not a private matter. . Family violence affects everyone, including the children. Violence is not a normal part of an intimate relationship. • Family violence is not an illness. Abusers control their actions by choosing a time and place for the assaults to take place in private and go undetected. They physically hurt their victims on areas of their body where bruises do not show. • Family violence has no excuse. There is no excuse for violence. There are other ways to deal with a problem or situation without resort
