Family violence a ‘serious public health’ issue in Canada

More than 200 people are reported as victims of family violence every day in Canada, according to a new report by the chief public health officer.

Family violence was the focus of the “State of Public Health in Canada report,” which waspublished Friday.

In a statement, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Gregory Taylor called the statistics in the 2016 report “staggering,” and said family violence is a “serious public health issue” that needs to be addressed.

According to the report, data showed that 230 Canadians are reported as victims of family violence each day. It also found that family violence was more likely to affect Canadians “who are more vulnerable, marginalized or facing inequities.”

Report highlights:

• 57,835 girls and women were victims of family violence in 2014, accounting for seven out of every 10 reported cases
• Every four days, a woman is killed by a family member in Canada
• From 2004 to 2014, half of child victims of family-related homicide were under the age of 4
• Nine million Canadians have reported experiencing abuse before age 15
• 760,000 Canadians reported experiencing unhealthy spousal conflict, abuse or violence in the last five years
• In 2014, Indigenous people were murdered at a rate six times higher than non-Indigenous Canadians

“The health impacts of family violence extend far beyond physical injuries and include poor mental health, psychological and emotional distress, suicide and increased risk of chronic diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes,” Taylor wrote.

He said that family violence is “not just” about physical abuse. “It comes in many forms, including sexual, emotional and financial abuse, as well as neglect,” Taylor wrote.

Taylor said family violence in Canada is under-reported “for a variety of reasons,” including that some victims are too afraid or embarrassed to speak about their experience.

“I invite all Canadians to join me in addressing the fear and stigma that keep us from understanding and ultimately preventing family violence,” Taylor said.

[Source:-CTV news health]