By Sarah Bonato, Reference/Research Librarian, CAMH Library
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Of all reported violent crime in Canada 2016, more than one quarter (26%) resulted from family violence, women are the victims of family violence more often than men, and family violence is often under reported.*
See below for a selection of research reports on trends and intervention guidelines on female family violence in Canada.
* from Family Violence: How Big is the Problem in Canada? https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/problem-canada.html
Family Violence in Canada: A statistical profile 2016 (2017)
From From Statistics Canada
- A report on the current data and trends on family violence in Canada. Info provides insight into changes that can help inform decision-making. Includes police-reported data on family violence, intimate partner violence, family violence against children and youth, family violence against seniors, along with a detailed special section on self-reported experience with stalking victimization.
Access at https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2018001/article/54893-eng.htm
Report on Violence Against Women, Mental Health and Substance Use (2012)
From the Canadian Women’s Foundation
- A report on the intersections of mental health and addiction. Includes a summary of the research on how women with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues may be at a higher risk for being victims of violence, including sexual violence. Through the use of informant interviews, seeks to identifies key service, policy and funding gaps and also provides recommendations for going forward.
Access at https://www.canadianwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/PDF-VP-Resources-BCSTH-CWF-Report_Final_2011_-Mental-Health_Substance-use.pdf
Woman Abuse: Screening, Identification, and Initial Response & Guideline Supplement (2005/2012)
From the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)
- Summarizes the current research literature to inform evidence based practice on screening women for intimate partner abuse and aims to facilitate routine universal screening for woman abuse by nurses in all practice settings. Has info on who should do the screening, what should be included, under what circumstances screening should occur and recommends strategies that can be adapted to various practice environments. The supplement provides a research update to supplement the original guideline.
Access at https://rnao.ca/sites/rnao-ca/files/BPG_Woman_Abuse_Screening_Identification_and_Initial_Response.pdf
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