Be more than a bystander....Break the silence

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Family Violence Prevention Program

What is Family Violence?

Family violence is actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial abuse directed toward a family member.

It includes intimate partner abuse, as well as abuse that is directed to others in a family relationship, such as so-called honour-based violence.

An intimate relationship can be between people who are married, living together, dating, separated or divorced.

Violence can happen in any family and affects women and men of all ages, cultures, income levels, religions, professions and abilities.

 dealing with domestic vioence or family vioence brochure

Please note: Family violence is often referred to as "domestic violence" or "domestic abuse." The term "family violence" is used on this site.

About the Family Violence Prevention Program

The Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) plans and develops community programs that help stop family violence. The program provides funding to community-based organizations that offer special services for abused women and their children and for men living with family violence.

There are 33 agencies across Manitoba that provide help for people affected by family violence. These agencies include:

  • 10 women’s shelters that provide emergency shelter and counselling for women and children who are victims of family violence (also find accommodations for men who require a safe place).
  • A provincial toll free crisis line that automatically links you with the nearest shelter that will provide safety.
  • nine women’s resource centers that provide information and referral, individual counselling and support groups for women, as well as children's programming.
  • four residential second-stage housing programs that offer protective, affordable, long-term housing for women who leave an abusive relationship, but need more than just physical protection.
  • 14 specialized programs that provide individual counselling, open and closed support groups, longer term counselling, training for other service providers, public education, supervised access services for parents and their children and couples counselling.

Common Types of Abuse - Definitions and Examples

Physical

Unwanted physical contact - slapping, pinching, punching, pushing, kicking, hair-pulling, burning, biting or cutting.
Sexual

Unwanted sexual contact - sexual touching, forced sex, forced humiliating acts, offensive sexual comments, control of birth control, or being forced to watch or take part in sexual acts with a third party.
Psychological/ Emotional  

Being forced by another person, to watch or take part in behaviour that is psychologically/emotionally harmful – threats, humiliation, put-downs, name-calling.
Financial  

Use of financial information or other resources (ex: property, possessions) to control and cause harm to another person.
"Honour" Based Violence

Fear of or actual forced marriage, controlling sexual activity, false imprisonment, forced abortion, and death.

Groups at Risk

People most likely to be abused are: women, children, older adults and persons with disabilities. Because these groups are often seen as having less power and control, they are often at greater risk. While personal or job stress, alcohol/drug use, financial hardships are not the cause of family violence, they can often make it worse. Family violence, including "honour"-based violence, cuts across all cultures, nationalities, faith groups and communities.

Without help, abusive relationships only get WORSE.

Help is available

Contact one of the resources (see link below) for more information and find out how to create your own protection plan. If you are in an abusive relationship, or you know someone who may be, call 1-877-977-0007.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911

Where can I go for help?

How do I make a protection plan?