Family violence prevention – Actions we can take

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What you can do

• Offer to help at your local women’s shelter as a volunteer, board member or fundraiser
• Share resources on family violence through social media and in your community
• Organize or participate in a Family Violence Prevention Month activity in your area
• Encourage your local public library to carry magazines and books about family violence
• Collect toys, books and toiletry items from your neighbours to donate to your local youth or women's shelter

What professionals can do

• Submit an article about family violence to your local newspaper, offer to speak on a radio station or write a blog post
• Share resources on family violence through social media
• Display articles, artwork and resources about family violence in your office
• Ask the local health clinics to provide family violence resources in waiting and examining rooms
• Ask local businesses to display family violence posters and resources
• Work with local churches and faith communities to provide resources

What men and boys can do

• Learn to recognize family violence and know how to help
• Show leadership by discussing family violence with family, friends, neighbours and co-workers and teaching them about healthy relationships
• Integrate family violence awareness in sports coaching and youth mentoring activities.
• Speak out against family violence at public events
• Volunteer and fundraise for women’s emergency shelters and other agencies
• Participate in community-based awareness activities and initiatives
• Join associations that address family violence while promoting gender equality
• Raise awareness in your workplace by hosting workshops or developing a protocol

What schools can do

• Help children learn non-violent ways of dealing with conflict
• Educate young people about dating violence and all other forms of abuse
• Place dating violence posters in the school and provide family violence information sheets for students
• Give copies of a dating safely checklist to all students on registration day
• Include information about dating violence in the school newsletter
• Develop a student led anti-violence and anti-bullying campaign
• Honour students who work to reduce violence and bullying
• Organize an event to collect teddy bears, quilts and other items to donate to a shelter for comforting children and youth

What employers can do

• Establish policies that help all staff understand more about family violence and the resources and assistance that are available
• Support employees who may be dealing with family violence issues
• Share information at meetings, online or through print resources
• Display prevention and support information in areas where your customers or clients can see it or take it with them
• Work with community organizations to provide funding for programs and services to help victims of family violence
• Sponsor an event to raise awareness during Family Violence Prevention Month

What community organizations can do

• Contact the nearest Regional Family Violence and Bullying Prevention Coordinator to discuss family violence initiatives in your region
• Create an interagency working group to formalize a commitment to end family violence in your community
• Develop a listing of services available in your community to help those impacted by family violence
• Identify and address family violence service gaps in your community
• Start a support group for victims of family violence
• Plan a public forum on family violence
• Distribute family violence awareness resources to businesses, employers, medical professionals and faith organizations
• Proclaim Family Violence Prevention Month each November, coordinate a campaign and encourage individuals and community groups to participate in awareness activities