Family violence – How to help

24-hour help

Family and friends

It is important to be supportive if someone tells you they are experiencing family violence, or if you suspect they are. Family and friends can help them by:

• calling 911 if there is an immediate threat
• learning more about family violence to know the warning signs
• asking in a caring way if someone is hurting them
• believing them when they tell you what is happening
• making sure they know the abuse is not their fault and they do not deserve it
• giving them Alberta’s 24/7 Family Violence Information Line to call toll free at 310-1818
• helping them find other community supports
• keeping everything they tell you private
• offering any supports you can to help keep them, their children and pets safe such as a place to stay, transportation, food or other daily needs

Employers

Employers can support staff in understanding how to prevent, recognize and deal with family violence by:

• calling 911 if there is an immediate threat
• sharing information at meetings, online or through print resources like posters and brochures
• offering education sessions that everyone must take
• developing policies that tell employees what to do if someone is experiencing family violence while they are at work or at home
• making sure employees know who they can speak to with concerns about family violence – this could be:
  • a manager in the company
  • the company’s employee and family assistance program
  • Alberta’s 24/7 toll free Family Violence Information Line (310-1818)
  • other community supports
• supporting family violence prevention activities in the community

Health care providers

Health professionals can help people feel safe to share difficult information and accept supports by:

• calling 911 if there is an immediate threat
• learning to recognize warnings signs that a child or adult is being abused
• arranging to be alone with the individual to talk about the situation if you see signs of violence or abuse
• taking a caring, non-judgmental approach
• determining if there is abuse through a conversation that includes:
  • a general statement such as ‘Everyone has arguments.’
  • a general question like ‘What happens when you argue?'
  • a follow-up question like ‘Has anything happened that may have caused your symptoms?’
• taking steps to ensure the person is safe and supported if abuse is happening
• reassuring them the abuse is not their fault and they deserve to be safe
• asking them if they are safe right now or if they need help to be safe
• connecting them to Alberta’s 24/7 toll-free Family Violence Information Line (310-1818) or other community supports for short and long-term assistance
• documenting the person’s statements (using quotes), injuries, behaviours, symptoms, treatments and referrals
• consulting with local police about any further action if the abuse is reported

Cultural and faith communities

Cultural and spiritual advisors can provide a supportive environment to help both victims of family violence and those who are abusive by:

• calling 911 if there is an immediate threat
• learning more about family violence to know the warning signs
• believing a victim’s story and recognizing they are in real danger
• holding an abuser accountable and not accepting excuses
• urging the abuser to seek appropriate treatment
• connecting victims and abusers to Alberta’s 24/7 toll-free Family Violence Information Line (310-1818) or other cultural and community supports for short- and long-term assistance
• sharing spiritual and cultural texts that emphasize respect and positive interactions
• offering rituals, meditations and other healing approaches

Contact

To connect with the Family Violence Information Line:

Hours: 24/7 all year
Toll free: 310-1818 (in Alberta)