The Victims of Family Violence Act is a provincial law which came into effect on December 16, 1996. The Act is meant to be used together with the Criminal Code . In appropriate cases the police will lay charges under the Criminal Code and will also seek an order, on behalf of the victim, under the Victims of Family Violence Act . Prince Edward Island is the second province in Canada to enact family violence legislation. Saskatchewan's Victims of Domestic Violence Act has been in effect since February, 1995.
Family violence is any violence by one family member against another family member.
It includes violence by one partner against the other, by a parent against a child, a child against a parent, between brothers and sisters, or involving grandparents. This includes spouses, common law partners, children, grandparents, brothers and sisters and other family members. In many cases, women and children are forced to leave their home and belongings as a result of family violence. They also leave the support of family and friends at this time of crisis. If the safety of the family can be ensured through an emergency protection order , or a victim assistance order , victims may be able to stay in their own home and community.