Preventing family violence

If you are experiencing family violence, please know there is help available. You can contact the Family Violence Info Line anonymously and confidentially 24/7 at 310-1818 to get information and referrals to help support you. Staff are trained and culturally safe, and can talk to you about your options depending on what you need and where you are.

Family violence can have many forms, and it can be tough to know what to do when you realize something isn’t quite right in your relationship. Maybe you feel like you’re walking on eggshells around your partner. Maybe you don’t like the way you are being spoken to or treated. Maybe your access to money is being restricted, or you’re dealing with threats to harm you, your family, your pets or your property. Maybe friends or family are expressing concerns about how you are treated. When you feel trapped, scared or unsafe, trust your voice and instincts.

Reaching out for help, by calling the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818, is a brave first step. The staff responding to the info line will treat you with dignity and respect and offer confidential help.

Are you worried about a coworker, friend or loved one?

It can be difficult to figure out what to do or say when you know or suspect a colleague, friend or loved one is experiencing family violence. Did you know one of the key ways someone reaches out for help is by sharing their story with someone they trust? Your words and emotional support can be a lifeline.

Staff at our info line can be your sounding board and give you advice and helpful resources that you can share.

If you’re someone who wants to be healthier and safer – for your partner and family

The Family Violence Info line also offers support to people who know they have unhealthy behaviour patterns and reactions in their relationship and want to get help. Since January, we have seen an increase in calls to our info line at 310-1818 from people who want to get healthier. We have many testimonials from Albertans who have taken prevention programming are now better able to express their emotions in respectful and healthy ways, and are modelling healthy relationships for their children and other family members. I want to share one of those stories with you, so you can see for yourself what a difference these supports can make:

Testimonial from Albertan who is healthier thanks to our prevention programming

(Verbatim testimonial from Albertan. To protect his identity as he requested, we had three men read his testimonial and weaved in their voices.)

"I didn’t want to be abusive or want to be that person that someone was afraid of ... The Men's Counselling Service helped me change. Talking about my anger, controlling behaviours, and feelings with the right people is what's helped me. Keeping it to myself created more chaos. It's taken me many years to get help and counselling. Now I wish I did this in my 20s. I was scared. I didn't have anyone to talk to. But now I've changed."

Full testimonial (audio)

There is always hope for a brighter, healthier future. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. It could be life-changing for you and your family.

To help spread the word about family violence prevention and what you can do, please visit Family violence prevention resources to find posters, social media graphics and more from our prevention of family violence awareness campaign.