Women Abuse Prevention Month
Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been declared an epidemic in Peel, and Peel CAS is on the front lines of the crisis. It is the main reason for referrals to Peel CAS, representing 29% of all referrals to the agency.
IPV refers to multiple forms of harm caused by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. It affects millions of people of all genders, ages, socioeconomic, racial, educational, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. However, women account for the vast majority of people who experience this form of violence (Burczycka 2019). Furthermore, there are serious impacts on children who are exposed to violence at home. Many children exposed to violence could be physically harmed while trying to intervene in the conflict. Children who witness violence at home are at higher risk of experiencing physical or mental health issues and may be at greater risk of being abused or become violent in their future relationships.
Peel CAS has developed an IPV Strategy to better support families experiencing violence. Key elements of the strategy include building capacity across the agency; enhancing services to support survivors; engaging fathers who have perpetrated violence; and supporting the expansion of the Safe Centre of Peel. Our team works hard to ensure that all family members are well connected with appropriate community resources that will help them break the cycle of violence.
