Domestic and family violence is a widespread issue which has a serious impact on the community, the workplace, children, families, and individuals. Toronto Legal staff are often times the first to have contact with people subjected to domestic and family violence.
For those affected by domestic and family violence we have a skilled in-house a domestic violence liaison officer (“DVLO”) to help our clients when they make disclosures about their circumstances.
Some Misconceptions about Domestic and Family Violence
- IT DOESN’T AFFECT THE KIDS – Yes it does!
- THE CHILDREN WILL FORGET ABOUT IT – It can seriously harm children physically and emotionally!
- THE CHILDREN ARE TOO YOUNG TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON – No, they are not and it can interfere with a child’s development and education.
- IT DOESN’T AFFECT BABIES – It can impact on infants and babies!
- KIDS AFFECTED BY FAMILY VIOLENCE WILL ALWAYS ‘BOUNCE BACK’ AND GET OVER ITS EFFECTS – It prevents kids from feeling safe!
- TALKING TO KIDS WON’T HELP OR WILL ONLY CONFUSE THEM – Talking about the problem with kids can help them.
- AFFECTION AND BUYING THE CHILDREN TREATS WILL MAKE UP FOR THE VIOLENCE – No it does not, and children often believe it’s their fault!
- THE PERPETRATOR IS OTHERWISE GOOD TO THE KIDS, SO THEY’LL BE OKAY – Children learn how to behave from family role models!
- AS LONG AS THE CHILDREN AREN’T HIT, THEY WON’T BE AFFECTED – It can lead to substance abuse in children.
- IT WON’T AFFECT THEIR EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT – It can interfere with a child’s education and development!
- IT’LL TEACH THE KIDS TO BE STRONG AND TOUGH – It damages a child’s self-esteem and confidence.
- IT’S PART OF OUR CULTURE – It does not have to be!
- IT ONLY EFFECTS WOMEN – No it does not, it effects men too!
- VIOLENCE IS A WAY TO SHOW LOVE – Violence is never a way of showing love.
A Few DV Facts
- 65.1% of all coroner-referred suicide deaths were found to have one or more psychosocial risk factors present such as personal history of self-harm, family disruption, or family or domestic violence.
- Almost one-fifth of all young people aged 11 to 17 years experience high or very high levels of psychological distress. Suicide remains the leading cause of death of children between 5 and 17 years.
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44.