Did you know...

Approximately 90,792 women and their dependent children are admitted to one of 413 shelters for abused women across Canada every year (Stats Canada, 1999).

More than half of the residents in these shelters are children, most under the age of 10.

Between 40 and 80% of abused women's children witness the violence. Professionals assert that children see, overhear, or are aware of the majority of violent incidents. Estimates indicate that three to five children in every Canadian school classroom have witnessed their mothers being assaulted.  In many cases children witness severe violence. In the 1993 Statistics Canada study, children were reported to have witnessed violence in more than half of the cases in which women feared for their lives. Children who witness physical violence toward their mothers almost invariably witness psychological abuse as well, which includes verbal abuse, belittling, and threats.