1. Section 1: RECOGNITION Module 6: Dynamics of family violence
Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older Persons
Section 1: RECOGNITION Module 6: Dynamics of family violence
Violence Prevention Initiative

2. Agenda Welcome Brainstorming Learning together:
Dynamics of family violence
Small group activity
Reporting back to whole group
Wrap-up / Evaluation

3. What is “family violence”?
= all forms of violence that take place within the family where there are relationships of · kinship · dependency · trust
Family Violence refers to all forms of violence that takes place within the family where there are relationships of kinship, dependency and trust. This can mean violence between:
Intimate partners;
Parents and children;
Siblings; and/or
Extended family members

4. Violence against older persons is viewed in the context of family violence.
Much of the violence that is committed against older persons is considered in the context of the family (system) and considered to be family violence because:
it takes place within the family where there is kinship, dependency or trust
it targets a specific group in society, many of whom are considered more likely to experience violence
the perpetrators themselves may be victims of past family violence
there may be financial dependency between victims and perpetrators

5. Family Violence Protection Act
Defines family violence as:
physical violence or the threat of violence
actions that are threatening or abusive
The provincial Family Violence Protection Act defines family violence as:
physical violence or the threat of violence; or
actions that are threatening or abusive.
The Family Violence Protection Act can be found online at

6. Family Violence Protection Act
Applies only to certain types of relationships:
conjugal, or
child under 19
The Act provides for Emergency Protection Orders:
to protect adult victims and their children
The Act only applies to certain types of relationships. It protects:
a person who is or was in a conjugal relationship with the perpetrator,
a person who has had a child with the perpetrator; the child must be under age 19.
The Act does not apply when the perpetrator is/was not a conjugal partner.
The Family Violence Protection Act provides for Emergency Protection Orders which makes emergency help available to adult victims of family violence and their children.

7. The Roots of Family Violence
Family violence is the abuse of power and control in a family relationship.
Unequal power between groups
Stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice
“isms”
Societal tolerance for violence to solve problems
Family violence is the abuse of power and control in a family relationship, where one person uses power to control another in a hurtful way.
Violence persists in our society because of:
Unequal power between groups (such as women and men)
Stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice
“isms” (sexism, ageism, ableism, racism, heterosexism)
Societal tolerance for violence as a way to solve problems

8. Violence can continue into old age
Acts of power and control take place across the lifespan:
Violence does not suddenly stop at some older age.
Violence does not suddenly begin with the vulnerabilities sometimes associated with older age.

9. Who is at risk of family violence?
Women
Children and youth
Older persons
People living in poverty
Immigrants and refugees
Aboriginal persons
Persons with disabilities
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons
People living in rural regions
Any group outside the dominant culture
Those most vulnerable to violence in relationships are members of groups that are seen by some as weaker, more vulnerable, and having less power.
Anybody can be a victim of family violence. It can happen regardless of:
gender
ethnicity
culture
religion
socio-economic status
location
ability
education
sexual orientation
age

10. Perpetrators of family violence against older persons
Frequent contact
Intimate partners
Adult male children
According to the 2013 Statistics Canada report of Family Violence in Canada, in 2011 older women (age years) in Canada had higher rates of violent victimization by a family member (67 per 100,000) compared to older men (61 per 100,000).*
Family members who are most frequently in contact with an older person are most often responsible for the violence.
Intimate partners and adult male children commit the most violence against older women.
Source:
*Statistics Canada. (2013). Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, Ottawa, ON: Minister of Industry.

11. Intimate partner violence
Marriage, dating or common-law
Heterosexual or same-sex
Single episode to long-term battering
Mostly by men against women
May get worse with age
May take on new forms
Intimate partner violence
It is violence in a relationship such as marriage, dating or common-law.
Can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples.
Range from single episode to long-term battering.
Mostly committed by men against women.
May get worse with age as challenges or resentments grow.
May take on new forms (i.e., emotional violence may become physical).

12. Intimate partner violence
Important:
A long-term partner rarely begins to abuse in old age
If a long-time partner becomes violent, it may be due to some other reason such as dementia

13. Violence by adult children
Most frequent family abusers of older persons in the home
Adult child under 60
Lives with/nearby
Dependency
Violence committed by adult children is the most frequent type of violence against older persons.
The typical perpetrator is an adult child under 60 who lives with or near the older person.
Dependency is often present in an abusive relationship, where:
the adult child may depend on the older person for money, shelter, or care; or
the older person may be dependent on the adult child.

14. Reasons for not telling
Shame, embarrassment, family loyalty
Believing that “you get what you deserve”
Fear of…
being sent to a “home” or an institution
the perpetrator
being left alone
Dependency on the perpetrator
The “normalization” of violence
Not being aware of options
Older persons may not want to admit that they have been harmed by a family member.
[Besides the reasons on the slide,] additional reasons for not telling include:
lack of awareness that what they are experiencing is violence, abuse or neglect
belief that a relationship is “for better or for worse”
not knowing that what they are experiencing is violence
lack of money
trouble finding work or alternate housing/emergency shelters

15. Preventing family violence
Complex social problem
Requires holistic approach including:
education
raising awareness
developing social and life skills
involving individuals, families and communities
A holistic approach to preventing violence in later life addresses many elements of this complex social problem.
Aboriginal values teach that all life is connected.
This suggests that violence cannot be healed by working only with individuals.
Families and communities also have an important role.
To address violence, the whole social system must be restored to balance.

16. Preventing family violence1.
Healthy relationships
6. Communication 2.
Self-esteem
3. Appreciating differences 4.
Personal safety
5. Understanding family violence
Preventing family violence
This diagram shows a holistic model for the prevention of family violence. There are six areas of knowledge and skills that are required of individuals, families and communities to help prevent violence against older persons:
1. Healthy relationships
understanding the factors that affect and support healthy relationships; understanding how healthy relationships support personal needs and feelings of self-worth; knowing that respect for others promotes healthy relationships; developing good interpersonal and social skills
2. Building self-esteem
knowing the factors that affect and support self-esteem and self-understanding; understanding and valuing personal empowerment; developing strategies to feel competent (including taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions)
3. Appreciating differences and diversity
developing skills to examine stereotypes and assumptions about others; learning how to examine cultural and gender biases; appreciating, valuing and celebrating differences
4. Personal safety
knowing how to stay safe; developing skills to identify risky situations and responses; Knowing helpful resources and how to access and use them
5. Understanding family violence
increasing awareness of the problem of family violence ;knowing the factors that contribute to family violence; developing empathy for those who are affected by family violence; understanding how power and control are used in violent relationships; understanding that violence is never okay
6. Communication
developing skills in active listening; building skills in managing anger; knowing that good communication skills are needed to deal with interpersonal conflict
See end of Module 6 of Participant’s Manual for Dorlene’s story. Ask participants how they would use the model to assist Dorlene.