Snapshot of Family Violence in Canada - Infographic

Family violence includes intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, and elder abuse. It can be physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse, as well as neglect.

Family Violence

  • Accounted for approximately 25% of all police-reported crime in Canada in 2011

Child Maltreatment

  • 32% of adults in Canada have reported having experienced some form of maltreatment as a child
    • Types of child maltreatment
      • Exposure to intimate partner violence - 34%
      • Neglect - 34%
      • Physical abuse - 20%
      • Emotional abuse - 9%
      • Sexual abuse - 3%

Intimate Partner Violence

  • In Canada, 30% of women experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime
  • Aboriginal women are more than twice as likely to experience intimate partner violence
  • 80% of intimate partner violence is against women

Elder Abuse

  • 53% of abuse of older adults is by family members or acquaintances
  • 60% of incidents of elder abuse are physical assaults

Family violence can cause a number of serious health and social problems across the lifespan

  • Infants
    • Injury
    • Problems regulating emotions
    • Problems with parent-child bonding
    • Delays in growth & development
  • Children
    • Anxiety and depression
    • Behavioural problems
    • Failure at school
    • Problems with friendships
  • Teenagers
    • Attempted suicide
    • Obesity
    • Anti-social behaviour (conduct disorder)
    • Alcohol and drug use
    • Other risky behaviors
  • Adults
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder
    • Diseases and pain
    • Trouble with relationships
    • Lack of stable employment
  • Older Adults
    • Isolation
    • Shorter life
    • Dependence
    • Financial problems

Spousal violence alone costs Canadian society $7.4 billion/year.

Report a problem or mistake on this page
Please select all that apply:

Thank you for your help!

You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, contact us.

Date modified: