Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
Identification of Gaps in
Family Violence & Bullying Research:
A Research Agenda
October, 2007
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
1.0 Executive Summary
Subsequent to the 2005 First World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence held
in Banff, the Government of Alberta hosted an International Policy Forum in November
of 2006.The discussions from both conferences, in conjunction with research findings,
have been synthesized to inform the Provincial research agenda on family violence and
bullying.
Researchers and stakeholders, informed by the current state of the evidence, identified
seven themes to include in a coordinated research agenda addressing family violence
and bullying (Table 1). Additionally, stakeholders identified several process and
methodology needs including: coordinated surveillance and collection methods, research
capacity and partnerships, knowledge mobilization, and an integrated database.
Table 1. Identified Thematic Areas
1.
Protection for Children and Youth
2.
Prevention and Intervention Strategies
3.
Outcome Evaluation Studies
4.
Research on Vulnerable Populations
5.
Continued Victimization of Abused
6.
Perpetrator Accountability
7.
Emerging Trends
2.0 Research Agenda:
2.1 Thematic Areas: The research community, in collaboration with policy makers and
service providers, has been conducting research to better understand the issues of, and
related to, family violence in Alberta. Based on a (a review of the current body of
research supported knowledge, stakeholders have discussed what additional evidence
would be needed in order to move both the policy agenda, and the scientific literature
forward.
The following are the research thematic areas that were identified as those that would
best inform the ongoing development of the provincial family violence and bullying
agenda.
The Protection of Children and Youth:
Special attention is required to address the needs of children and youth who witness or
experience domestic violence or bullying. Intersectoral and cross-disciplinary research is
needed in areas that address: child maltreatment, child and youth victim experiences,
current and ideal roles for child intervention services, societal costs associated with child
violence, and the etiology of bullying.
Prevention & Intervention Strategies:
The identification of best practices for the prevention of violence and bullying will be
critical in reducing the incidence of family violence or bullying. Assessments of current
interventions and their long term impacts on children, youth, and adult perpetrators and
victims can support this initiative.
To increase the number of violence victims and perpetrators receiving services, there is
a need for determined best-practices in screening for violence or bullying. Identification
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
of victims and perpetrators may be a first-step in providing services that may increase
positive outcomes for these individuals.
Environmental scanning that provides an understanding of available interventions and
prevention strategies, including evidence-based information regarding their
effectiveness, would also support efforts to provide effective, evidence-based services.
Outcome Evaluation Studies:
Key outcomes that demonstrate the effects of existing prevention strategies across
sectors and disciplines will support the development and growth of current strategies
addressing violence. An etiologic analysis of family violence and bullying should be
included in this process.
A coordinated evaluation framework between disciplines and sectors will prevent
redundancy in evidence and efforts. In synergy with a coordinated evaluation
framework, a long-term follow-up of identified family violence and bullying cases, which
tracks key outcomes longitudinally has been identified as a key research need.
Vulnerable Populations:
Special attention to vulnerable populations is necessary to understand the
circumstances and risk factors that place some populations at greater risk for
experiencing violence. Research focused on high risk sub-populations, including
Aboriginal communities, new Canadians, and individuals living with poverty, would
support this effort.
Continued Victimization of Abused:
Research efforts to understand disclosure strategies and barriers to disclosure for
children, youth and adults may facilitate an understanding of, and a reduction in,
continued victimization. Efforts to generate evidence surrounding unreported cases of
violence or bullying may also increase the understanding of barriers to disclosure.
Perpetrator Accountability:
A deeper understanding of how perpetrators of violent acts are addressed in the legal
system (e.g. court order compliance, sentencing) may also provide insight into the
effectiveness of current interventions.
Emerging Trends:
There is an increasing prevalence of new forms of bullying, including work-place
harassment and cyber-harassment. Evidence regarding the nature, etiology,
intervention, and prevention of these emerging trends is required.
2.2 Research Method & Process Needs: Stakeholders, informed by the current state
of the evidence, have also identified research methods and processes that should be
included in a research agenda for family violence and bullying.
Coordinated Surveillance and Collection Methods
There is a value for research that is cross sectoral and interdisciplinary in design and
team structure. Research on family violence and bullying has focused on quantitative
inquiries; however, there is an expressed need for additional qualitative evidence to
support quantitative findings. Finally, researchers are encouraged to consider
longitudinal designs to support cross-sectional findings.
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
Research Capacity & Partnerships
Continued partnership with community organizations and agencies to increase research
capacity and, in particular, bi-directional collaboration with Aboriginal communities is
encouraged.
Knowledge Mobilization
There is an identified need for increased focus on knowledge mobilization in the
research sector and an increased number of informed and involved stakeholder groups.
Study findings should be made available at multiple access points to all stakeholders in
reader-appropriate formats that highlight the relevancy of research to other sectors,
including policy and service. Knowledge mobilization activities are encouraged to involve
community members and corporate partners as possible end-groups. Research findings
should be made available to high-risk sub-populations including Aboriginal individuals,
individuals living with poverty, and new Canadians.
Increased communication of on-going studies and research findings can reduce
unnecessary duplication of work and move the research agenda forward by allowing
researchers to engage in meaningful, new studies.
Shared Data Base:
Government databases need to be shared amongst the Ministry of Health and Wellness,
the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General , the Ministry of Children’s Services, the
Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology, and the Ministry of Employment,
Immigration, and Industry. With an integrated database, government policy makers
would have access to valuable, de-identified data that would serve to inform policies
expediently and efficiently.
2.3 Identified Policy Needs: To be included by the Ministry.
3.0 Progress
The results of several stakeholder events, including the International Policy Forum
(Calgary, AB, 2006) and World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence 2005
(Banff, AB, 2005) continue to further research and evidence capacity. In addition, such
events provide opportunities to develop partnerships and dialogues that will support
knowledge mobilization. The continued and increased involvement of community
partners and service providers in research projects supports the development of a
research literacy in the community.
The Government of Alberta has developed initiatives, including a media campaign, to
increase community awareness about family violence. Efforts to increase awareness
about the Provincial research agenda are also in progress. On-going and new initiatives
will continue to build capacity and raise awareness in Alberta.
The Alberta Centre for Child, Family, and Community Research (The Centre) has
supported several research programs in the area of family violence and/or bullying that
align with the identified research themes (Table 2). Further, a request for proposals on
family violence and bullying will be developed from this report and issued within the
2007-2008 fiscal year.
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
Table 2. Projects funded by The Alberta Centre for Child, Family, & Community Research that
investigate family violence and/or bullying.
Research Theme
Project Title
Principle
Investigator
Prevention & Intervention Strategies Family Violence in Alberta: An Environmental
Dr. Joseph Homick
Scan of Recent Research and Research Needs
University of
Calgary
Children & Youth
The Healing Journey: A Longitudinal Study of
Dr. Leslie Tutty
Vulnerable Populations
Mothers Affected by Intimate Partner Violence,
RESOLVE Alberta
Prevention & Intervention Strategies Perceptions of their Children’s Well-Being and
Continued Victimization
Family-Related Service Utilization
Children & Youth
Vulnerable Populations
Prevention & Intervention Strategies
The Construction of Intimate Partner Violence in
Alberta's Child Protection Policy and the Impact
on Abused Mothers and Their Children
Prevention & Intervention Strategies
Review of Legislation relating to Bullying in
Alberta
Vulnerable Populations
Literature Review and Synthesis: Family Violence
and Bullying in New Canadians
Prevention & Intervention Strategies
Vulnerable Populations
Environmental Scan: Family Violence and Bullying
Prevention Programs for New Canadians in
Alberta, Vancouver, and Toronto
Ms. Kendra Nixon
PhD Candidate
University of
Calgary
Dr. Tanya Beran
University of
Calgary
Dr. Tanya Beran
University of
Calgary
TBD
Additional research is needed in the areas of: Perpetrator Accountability; Outcome
Evaluation; and Emerging Trends.
In addition to funding research projects The Centre is involved with several projects and
activities to disseminate research findings. The Centre’s goals around knowledge
exchange are to engage, educate, and dialogue with partners, gather and consolidate
information, and distribute information. Through dialoguing with community, policy and
research partners, and by conducting environmental scans to identify research priorities,
The Centre effectively makes knowledge exchange an authentic two-way process.
The Centre has recently been awarded funding to initiate a Child and Youth Data
Laboratory (CDYL). Alberta is the first jurisdiction in the world to establish a data lab
exclusively dedicated to understanding the impacts and policy needs that will optimize
the well-being and future potential of children. The CDYL will study issues, policies, and
practices affecting Alberta’s children by linking and analyzing cross-government
administrative data. The CDYL will be a powerful tool, able to provide timely responses
to policy-relevant questions from the Ministries, including those relating the family
violence and bullying.
The Centre developed an innovative approach to support evidence-based policy in
collaboration with The Canada Northwest FASD Research Network: The Common
Outcomes Initiative. To support synergy and collaboration between research teams,
disciplines and professional sectors, The Common Outcomes Initiative recommends the
use of identified best-practice instruments for assessing key outcomes in research,
practice, and policy. After consultation with stakeholders, including, researchers, service
providers, policy and decision makers, and parents, a list of recommended instruments
was established and is available on The Centre’s website. By encouraging researchers
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
to use the recommended instruments and tools, the comparability between studies and
disciplines is increased, allowing an easier translation of evidence to policy and practice.
Progress has been made towards understanding and supporting this Provincial
Research Agenda, however, this is still a need for collaboration and partnership to
achieve our goals. The Centre is interested in supporting the agenda around children
who witness and/or experience violence, including bullying. However, the developed
agenda is much broader than the mandate of The Centre and we invite the collaboration
of additional funding agencies and researchers to complete this important agenda.
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
APPENDIX A: The Prevalence of Family Violence in Alberta
Family violence and bullying includes many different forms of abuse that adults or
children may experience.
Family violence and bullying were defined by the “Alberta Roundtable on Family
Violence and Bullying (2004)” as:

Family Violence is the abuse of power within relationships of family, trust or
dependency that endangers the survival, security or well-being of another
person. It can include many forms of abuse including spousal abuse, senior
abuse and neglect, child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, parent abuse,
and witnessing abuse of others in the family. Family violence may include some
or all of the following behaviours: physical abuse, psychological abuse, criminal
harassment/stalking, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and spiritual
abuse.4

Bullying is a conscious, willful, deliberate and repeated hostile activity marked by
an imbalance of power, intent to harm, and/or a threat of aggression. When
bullying escalates unabated, it may lead to a feeling of terror on the part of the
individual being bullied. Bullying may include, but is not limited to: physical
intimidation or assault; extortion; oral or written threats; teasing; putdowns; name
calling; threatening looks, gestures or actions; cruel rumours; false accusations;
and social isolation. 4
The Statistics on Spousal Abuse

The Province of Alberta experienced the highest rate of spousal abuse in
Canada (10% for women and 7% for men). 6

Those who were no longer with their spouses were more likely to have had
repeated and chronic contacts with police for spousal abuse than those currently
with their spouse (43% ex-spouses versus 36% current spouses). 2

Females between the ages of 15 and 24 were most likely to report spousal
violence to police (50%), followed by those aged 25 to 34 (43%) and those 35
years of age and older (36%).2

Aboriginal women had a higher rate of spousal homicide compared to nonAboriginal women. 6

Police involvement was more likely if the victim was Aboriginal. 50% of female
victims of spousal violence who self-identified as Aboriginal reported that the
police were contacted compared to 35% of their non-Aboriginal counterparts. 2
Gender Differences in Family Violence

Girls under the age of 18 experience higher rates of family violence than boys of
the same age (242 and 152 victims per 100,000 in 2004 respectively) This
difference may be driven by the higher prevalence of sexual assault against girls
and against older teenager girls from romantic partners.2

Among males, 14 year olds were at the highest risk for physical assault by a
family member (183 per 100,000 population). Among females, 16 year olds were
at the highest risk for physical assault by a family member (290 per 100,000
population).2

Alberta had the highest rates of criminal harassment, victimization, or stalking
(13% women had experienced at least one of these events).3
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
Understanding Child Abuse

Among substantiated child maltreatment cases, neglect was the most common
form of reported child abuse (30% of all reported cases), followed by exposure to
domestic violence (28%), physical abuse (24%), emotional maltreatment (15%)
and sexual abuse (3%).2, 13

Children in approximately 500,000 households saw or heard one parent being
assaulted by the other parent. 12

A comparison of service dispositions for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children
found that Aboriginal children had higher rates of placement, child welfare court
applications, and open cases for ongoing services. 13

Children, identified in second grade as instigators of bullying, were six times
more likely than non-bullying counterparts to be convicted of a crime by the age
of 24, and five times more likely to have a serious criminal record by the age of
30. 8
Violence Among the Elderly

Seniors continue to be the least vulnerable sub-population to violent
victimization. With an incident rate of 12 violent incidents per 1,000, seniors’ are
four times less likely than individuals aged 55 to 64 years and five times less
likely individuals aged 45 to 54 to experience a violent incident.12
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
APPENDIX B: Applicable Legislation on Family Violence or Bullying
Two pieces of legislation pertain to Family Violence situations in the Province of Alberta.


The Protection Against Family Violence Act 1999, revised in 2006, and
The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act 2004.
The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act protects all family members and
compliments the Protection Against Family Violence Act.
A 2002/04 review of Alberta protection orders concluded that 75.6% involved children.
During the same time period Alberta Children’s Services made only three (3)
applications for Protection Orders, out of a total of 975 applications for protection orders.
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
APPENDIX C: Family Violence Research to date in Alberta
The following listing of family violence research conducted in the Province of Alberta was
sub-divided into the following themes: Assessment/Practice Policies; Aboriginal Issues;
Child and Youth; Intimate Partner Violence; Safety/Shelters; Prevention; Treatment,
Legal reforms and Elder Abuse.
A.
Assessment/Practice Policy:
1. Thurston WE, Tutty L, Eisner A. 8th and 8th Health Centre Domestic
Violence/Abuse Screening Guidelines (2004).
2. Tutty L. Needs Assessment of Domestic Violence Services for Drumheller and
Region (2006).
3. Tutty L. Christensen, J. The Domestic Violence Environmental Scan: (2005).
4. Tutty L, Koshan J, Protection Against Family violence Act Evaluation: (2005).
5. Reimer J, Risk/Danger Assessment Training: (2006 – ongoing).
6. Cowan E, et.al. Women’s Participation in Domestic Violence Health Policy
Development (2005 – ongoing).
7. Thurston WE, Tutty L, Domestic Violence Protocol Project in Emergency Rooms
(2004, Phase 1 Process Evaluation 2005).
B.
Aboriginal Issues:
1. University of Calgary, Health Canada and Centre for Excellence in Child Welfare,
Prairie Child Welfare Research Forum (2005 – ongoing),
C.
Child and Youth Issues:
1. Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, “Continuing Education for Children in
Shelters (2005 – ongoing),
2. Lawson A, Gardiner S, Johanssen B, MacLaurin B, Addressing the Effects of
Child Maltreatment Through the Lens of Domestic Violence, (2006 – ongoing)
3. Tutty L, Evaluation of Sheriff King Safe Visitation and Monitored Exchange
Program (2006).
4. Guyn Cooper Research Associates and United Way of Calgary, Vulnerable
Youth in Calgary (2006),
5. London Family Court Clinic, What About Me- A. Cunningham; Centre for Children
& Families in the Justice System –.
6. Patchin J. Hinduja S, Cyber-bullying Among an Adolescent Population: (2006).
7. Patchin J, Hindjua, S, Bullies Move Beyond the Schoolyard (2006).
8. Neuman J, Injustice, Stress and Bullying Can be Expensive.
D.
Safety/Shelters:
1. Petrie D, .McLean D, MacFarlene C, Godin L, et al. Seeking Sanctuary (2005)
2. Warthe D, Hoffart I, Cooper M, Calgary Family and Sexual Violence Sector
Review (2004).
3. Tutty L, Barlow A, Jesso D. Evaluation of ‘Community Safe Visitation Program
(2004).
4. Tutty L, Safety Under the Rainbow (2006 – ongoing).
5. Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, Men’s Crisis Centre (2004).
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6. Calgary Counseling Centre, A Turn for the Better for Male Victims of Violence
(2001 – ongoing).
7. Namie G, Workplace Bullying: Report on Abusive Workplaces (2003).
E.
Intimate Partner Violence:
1. Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, Alberta’s Silent Witness Project (2005ongoing).
2. Calgary Counseling Centre, You’re Not Alone for Female Victims of Violence
(1995 – ongoing).
3. RESOLVE Alberta, Calgary Counseling Diversity Project (2006 – ongoing).
4. Calgary Counseling Centre, Danger Assessment (2006 – ongoing).
5. Calgary Counseling Centre, Engaging Female Victims of Violence (2003 –
ongoing).
6. Tutty L, Nixon K, RESOLVE Alberta, Women’s Perspective on the Homefront:
Specialized Domestic Violence Court in Calgary (2004).
7. Tutty L, Christensen J., Alberta Women’s Shelters Provision of Public Education
on Domestic Violence (2005).
8. Tutty L, Ogden C, Wyllie K, An Evaluation of the Growth Circle Groups for
Abused Women (2006 – ongoing).
9. Rothery M, Walroth K, Sevcik I, Nason-Clark N, Evaluation of Faithlink (2005 –
ongoing).
10. Calgary Counseling Centre, First Language Initiative for Men who are Abusive to
Intimate Relationships (2005 – ongoing).
11. Calgary Counseling Centre, Group Drop-Outs (2006 – ongoing).
F.
Immigrant Communities:
1. Tutty L, Thurston WE, Christensen J, Evaluation of the CDUC’s Training and
Protocols for Immigrant Serving Agencies (2004).
2. Thurston WE, Caro A, Este D, Godey T, et.al. Immigrant Women, Family
Violence and Pathways out of Homelessness (2005 – ongoing).
G.
Prevention:
1. Calgary Counseling Centre, Responsible Choices for Men (1994 – ongoing).
2. Calgary Counseling Centre, Responsible Choices for Children and Parents (2000
– ongoing).
3. Hoffart I, Clarke M, Homefront Final Report (2004).
H.
Treatment:
1. Calgary Counseling Centre, Stages if Change (2005 – ongoing).
2. Calgary Counseling Centre, Treatment and Non-Treatment Group Comparison
(2006 – ongoing).
I.
Legal Reforms:
1. Nixon K, Tutty L, Evaluating the Justice and Community Response to Family
Violence in Edmonton (2004).
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
2. Nixon K, Tutty L, Barry L, Ten Year Review of the Child Witness Preparation
Project (2001 – ongoing.
J.
Elder Abuse:
1. Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, Older Women’s Long Term Survival
(OWLS) (2005 – ongoing).
2. Pauls M, MacRae L, The Response to Elder Abuse in Alberta: Legislation and
Victim Focused Service Final Report (2006).
In summary, the focus of research to date is on the abuse of women or program/service
evaluation.
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Identification of Gaps in Family Violence Research
APPENDIX D: References
Alberta Children’s Services, The World Health Organization, Government of
Canada, Pan American Health Organization and the Child Welfare League of
Canada, World Conference on Prevention of Family Violence Summary (2005).
2.
Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Family Violence in Canada: Statistical
Profile (2006).
3.
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministries Responsible for the Status of Women,
Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends (2006).
4.
Government of Alberta, Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying
(2004).
5.
Hoffart I, Clarke M, Homefront Final Report (2004).
6.
Maclaurin B, Trocme N, Fallom B, McCormack B, et.al. Alberta Incidence Study
of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (2003).
7.
MacRae L, Hornick J, Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family,
Environmental Scan of Family Violence Research: Toward a Family Violence
Research Agenda in Alberta (2006).
8.
Olweus D, Schoolyard Bulling (1987).
9.
Tough S, Summary Address - The Prevention of Bullying (2006).
10.
Weaver-Dunlop G, Nixon K, Tutty L, Walsh C, Ogden C, A Review of Policies to
Address Children/Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence (2006).
11.
World Health Organization, Preventing Child Maltreatment (2006).
12. Canadian General Social Survey, 2004
13. The Alberta Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (2003) found
1.
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