Publication of the Department of Justice Canada - 1995

"Family Violence"
in
Rural, Farm and Remote Canada

A Project of:
The Canadian Farm Women's Network

Prepared by:
Wendy Scott
W.M.Scott & Associates
Human Resource Development

with

Carolyn VanDine, CFWN Board Member, New Brunswick
Chairperson of Policy Committee
through
the Voice of Canadian Farm Women

March 3,1995

We acknowledge and thank Justice Canada, Health Canada and The Women's Program, Human Resource Development Canada for providing the funding for portions of this project. In addition, we thank Agriculture Canada for their support through services in kind which assisted in the printing and translation of this document, as well as, the New Brunswick Dept. of Agriculture for their contribution of printing.

Permission to reprint any portion of this document must be obtained in writing from the Canadian Farm Women's Network.

Copyright 1995 by the Canadian Farm Women's Network
88 Crown Ave., Fredericton, N.B., E3C 1C9

• Executive Summary
• Mandate of the Canadian Farm Women's Network
• Forward
• Introduction
  • Background
  • Context
  • Objectives
  • Methodology
• Summary of Research/Informing Rural Canadians
• Definitions of Family Violence
• Abuse Cycle
• Victims of Family Violence
  • Child and youth abuse
  • Violence against women
  • Violence against physically and mentally handicapped persons
  • Elder abuse
  • Violence against men
  • Other victims of violence
• Results of Family Violence
  • Suicide
  • Murder and attempted murder
  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Mental and emotional abuse
  • Spousal abuse
  • Assaults and battery
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Dating violence
  • Cult and ritual abuse
  • Violence in the workplace
  • Robbery and property damage
• Costs of Violence to Society
• The Voice of Canadian Farm Women
• Rural and Remote Canada
• Farm and Rural Community Needs Relating to Family Violence
  • The Need for Sensitization of Professionals to the Factors that Relate to Family Violence on Family Farms
    • Recognizing Myths About the Economics of Farming and the Image of Farmers
    • Recognizing Stress on the Farm
    • Recognizing Fear on the Farm
    • Recognizing Emotional Attachments on the Farm
    • Traditional Male and Female Role Models on the Farm
    • Recognizing Verbal and Emotional Abuse on the Farm
    • Eliminating Physical Abuse on the Farm
    • Recognizing Extended Family Relationships on the Farm
  • Rural Education and Awareness Campaign/Method of Prevention
  • Research and Studies on Rural and Farm Families
    • Needs
    • Process
  • Community Ownership of the Problem of Family Violence
  • Economic Security for Rural Women
  • Flexible Rural Child Care
  • Government Services in Rural Communities
  • Special Challenges for Disabled Farm Family Members
• Recommendations from Canadian Farm Women
• Recommendations from Canadian Farm Women To:
  • Federal Government
    • Department of Justice
    • Solicitor General
    • Health Canada
    • Agriculture Canada
    • Human Resource Development Canada
  • Provincial Governments
    • Department of Health
    • Department of Education
• Appendix A: Glossary
• Bibliography

Executive Summary

The Canadian Farm Women's Network is a non-profit organization which conducts its affairs in a manner free from bias with regard to political or religious affiliation, national origin, ethnic origin, race, geography, age, marital status, social position and disability. The membership of the CFWN is comprised of Provincial farm women's organizations and their grass roots members, as well as, associate memberships.

In 1993, with assistance from the federal government , the Canadian Farm Women's Network commissioned a video and workbook, "Fear on the Farm", that creates awareness, explores the current factors contributing to family violence on farms and the resources that are available or needed in the community. The video and study guide was presented to the grassroots farm women organizations in Canada at the 6th National Farm Women's Conference in November, 1993, as well as, through provincial workshops in some of the provinces. Through the video evaluation and conference survey farm women asked for more information on the presence of family violence on the farm and rural communities. It was evident that there was a lack of current and readily available research on rural and farm family violence in Canada.

The CFWN has undertaken to further address the issue of "Family Violence in Rural Canada" by researching and developing a position paper that reflects the issues common to the general population, along with identifying those unique to the farming industry. The researchers' focus is to identify the victims of family violence, state the acts of family violence, and record the current methods of dealing with family violence in order to define family violence in rural and farm communities. The conclusions based on the input of grassroots farm women's organizations in Canada will result in recommendations that could address and remedy the problem of family violence in rural communities and on family farms.

The position of the Canadian Farm Women's Network is that family violence, even its most subtle form, is not tolerable in Canadian society. The family is the nucleus of civilizations and family violence is a destroyer of that nucleus.

Global issues, as well as some national issues, over which the farm family has no control, are external factors that could cause some farmers to feel that they must take more control within the family. The necessity for men to be in control of their family is a very strong tradition in the some families. The need to be in control is the dominant force behind family violence. Societal change has been instrumental in bringing this issue to a head. Changing family structures, plus the restructuring of agriculture and rural communities, has lead to the need for more stabilizing factors in our family and home based business lives.

It is evident that identifying the root causes of family violence and working for a change in the attitude of rural Canadians, as well as, urban Canadians, would help create healthy communities and impact on the families' abilities to function in a more stable environment.

In order to begin to understand the cycle of abuse in the home, the researchers had to first define what constitutes violence. It was established that abuse was not only physical in nature but also included sexual assault, neglect, verbal attacks, insults and threats, harassment and other psychological abuses, such as emotional. The "bottom line" of all these actions is abusive power such as systematic, planned acts calculated to overpower and control. Generational abuse can also be described as cyclical and is a pattern of behavior which can be passed from one generation to the next.

The victims of family violence in rural communities have been identified as; children, women, elders, men and mentally/physically handicapped persons, all of which are proven to be similar in urban circumstances.

This document is designed to identify all the types of abuse so that violence is recognized in rural communities. There is no current research that has established whether there are abuses specific to rural versus urban areas. This document was not designed to make this comparison, but rather to establish that these forms of abuse exist and should be recognized as family violence in rural, farm and remote regions of Canada.

This research has indicated that the financial costs of family violence is far reaching in addition to the immeasurable human costs of violence. A comprehensive analysis of these costs has not been studied for rural, farm or remote regions. It has been identified that there are distinct differences such as lack of rural services, lack of family violence programs and a slower judicial process for rural communities, all of which are compounded by the distance factor. Is government incurring more cost in the long run by eliminating or streamlining these essential services in rural areas? A closer examination of the human and financial costs is needed to determine which essential services are most effective when dealing with family violence in rural, farm and remote regions.

The second section of this paper reflects the voice of farm women in Canada in regard to family violence and factors related to farm and rural communities. Farm women believe that there are three realities that contribute to violence;

1) poor economic conditions
2) long hours of labour on and off the farm (paid and unpaid)
3) high debt loads and few solutions

The stress related to these three realities is believed to be contributing factors to family violence on the farm.

The research section is drawn from actual experiences of farm women, including documented cases and facts. On the basis of these observations potential solutions and recommendations to government and community leaders were developed. Research also found that generational abuse is not specific to urban or rural but has been identified and should be examined closer for us to understand its affects in rural, farm and remote regions.

Farm women brought forward seven concerns that they would like to have addressed:

1. the necessity for sensitization of professionals and resources of the factors that relate to family violence on farms.
2. rural education and awareness campaigns as a method of prevention.
3. further research and consultation with rural and farm people to reflect the actual problem, needs and solutions concerning family violence.
4. community ownership of the problem for family violence in rural, farm and remote regions.
5. economic security for rural and farm women.
   6) flexible rural child care to eliminate risk during the operation of the farm, to be determined through the consultations with the Rural Child Care Coalition and government.
6. re-instatement and/or development of essential services for families in rural, farm and remote regions.

Recommendations to government will come from these concerns. It was also felt that communities and community organizations should examine and acknowledge these concerns in order to provide input for their communities.

The Canadian Farm Women's Network has endeavored to facilitate the development of realistic prevention and possible solutions of family violence that reflect the needs of rural, farm and remote regions. The recommendations listed in the final section of this paper are designed to be specific and action oriented. Farm women believe that an effective method of obtaining commitment from all stakeholders, decisions based on results from studies and implementing the actions, are through the on-going consultation process between government, community groups and national farm women leaders.

• to facilitate educational development and training of farm women and promote formal involvement of women at the local, provincial and national levels of farm organizations;
• to secure social, legal and economic equality for farm women in Canada;
• to provide a mechanism for the farm women of Canada to speak with a more integrated voice at the national and international level;
• to ensure full participation of farm women in the development of agricultural policy; and
• to support and strengthen the family farm and the farm family.

The Canadian Farm Women's Network, the project coordinator and the researchers have been intent on following the grassroots voice to study family violence in rural, farm and remote regions of Canada. This project has been designed to include the grassroots in the studies, research and input into the final document. Due to this methodology the final document is the voice of farm women in Canada. The "Family Violence" paper is the first to be undertaken by the Canadian Farm Women's Network and work is still needed to strengthen the input process to reach as many farm women through their provincial farm women's organizations, as well as, through the four other National Farm Women' Organizations in order that they have the opportunity to be heard on issues of importance to all farm women, the farm family and the farm business. It is the hope of the Canadian Farm Women's Network and the researchers that the findings and recommendations of this paper will assist families in violence and abuse situations. The recommendations have been developed to be as specific as possible and action oriented. It is the intent of the Canadian Farm Women's Network to actively pursue a consultation of farm women leaders in Canada, decision makers within the bureaucracy and the political Ministers in order that we may begin to see these recommendations implemented.

We were afforded significant amounts of support and understanding from many people during the research and input phase. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the provincial farm women's organizations and individual farm women across Canada who gave their time to work on the discussion paper and provided the researcher with the voice of farm women based on their knowledge of further documented research, expertise, thoughts and advice. This input process provides a strong influence for change. We would also like to thank rural community organizations, as well as, the resource personnel concerned about family violence in rural, farm and remote regions, for taking the time to conduct focus groups and workshops to share their thoughts, experience and knowledge. This document would not have been possible without input from all of the above .

We would like to express our appreciation to Justice Canada, Health Canada and The Women's Program, Human Resource Development Canada for providing the funding for portions of this project. In particular we would like to thank Justice for their efforts, time and prompt actions to facilitate an agreement from other departments on behalf of this project. It is the intent of the Canadian Farm Women's Network to ensure that the Family Violence Initiative Program be maintained with the continued support of all involved government departments.

In addition, we thank Agriculture Canada for their support through services in kind which assisted in the printing and translation of this document, as well as, the New Brunswick Dept.of Agriculture for printing services.

A. Background

The Canadian Farm Women's Network's level of awareness on the issue of family violence in rural regions was heightened through the development of the video and study guide "Fear on the Farm". This position paper is being developed in response to questions arising from this documentation of family violence on the farm.

The initiative from farm women was based on three major stress factors that could contribute to family violence on family farms: ( 1) poor economic conditions on many family owned and operated farms in Canada; (2) long hours of labor on and off the farm; and (3) the frustration of high debt loads and few solutions. These stress factors coupled with lack of communication or time to communicate sets the stage for mental and emotional abuse amongst all family members.

Rural communities and farm communities have characteristics and values that are different from urban communities. For example, rural and farm families are often a great distance from centralized services and very often have less access to information and government services. Statistics tells us that the population in Rural and farm communities is declining across Canada and so is the social and business centre of rural activities. Rural and farm values have often been viewed as more traditional and conservative than urban.

The Canadian Farm Women's Network exists to promote communication; to foster the learning, sharing and personal growth of its membership while achieving the shared goals which impact on the farm women of Canada and farm families.

B. Context

Research shows us that experts have examined abuse in urban settings but have not looked closely at rural, farm or remote regions. Farm women in Canada believe it is important to begin with awareness of the facts in rural and farm communities. There is little information or studies on rural family violence. This paper shall provide a more current view that reflects the experience, knowledge and existence of family violence in rural, farm and remote regions. As a result we can begin to work towards solutions that fit with the needs of the victim(s) and communities, as well as, understanding how to develop the preventive solutions that can work in rural, farm and remote regions.

Farm women believe that the differences recognized in this document must be accepted by the judicial, police, health and other service systems of family violence. A sensitization for these resources on the established differences in rural, farm and remote versus urban will provide services which promotes trust and understanding between these resources, the victims and the community, as well as, developing a more practical understanding of the needs and interests of the victim(s) and their families.

The Canadian Farm Women's Network recognized the need expressed by the grassroots to look more closely at family violence in rural, farm and remote regions in order that we participate in becoming part of the solution and work together with others to break the cycle of abuse that escalates costs of human and dollar value for victim(s), families and communities. The first step by the Network was the development of "Fear on the Farm" video and study guide. This paper "Family Violence in Rural Canada" and its recommendations is considered the second step toward breaking the abuse cycle of family violence.

C. Objectives

• to create awareness of family violence in rural, farm and remote regions.
• to determine the relationship between stress on the family farm and family violence.
• to educate rural and farm families of all the types of family violence.
• to identify barriers to the recognition of family violence in rural, farm and remote regions.
• to identify the factors contributing to family violence that are unique to the rural, farm and remote regions.
• to identify methods for prevention and solutions of family violence in rural, farm and remote regions.
• to encourage rural and farm families, communities and governments to work together to eliminate family violence in our society.
• to implement the solutions.
• to reach the reach the goal of "O" Tolerance of family violence in rural, farm communities.

Determination of issue is done through an evaluation and survey at the bi-annual National Farm Women's Conference.

PHASE 1 research and development of discussion paper/workbook

PHASE 2 Canadian farm women's input, in cooperation with provincial and national farm women's organizations; in order to conduct focus groups and workshops using the discussion paper as the basis.

PHASE 3 compilation and development of the final document in the form of a position paper.

PHASE 4 development of lobby/media strategy for presentation of position paper and workshop to the provinces and territories of Canada.

PHASE 5 Consultation between Canadian farm women leaders, government decision makers and political ministers to discuss and obtain commitment to implement recommendations.

In searching for data for this position paper, a noticeable lack of information concerning rural areas became evident. National statistics did not distinguish between urban or rural results.

According to Jennie Hornosty, a UNB professor of sociology, "There's a bias in research that assumes that research done in urban centers is applicable every place else; this is not always so." (28:2) This makes it "impossible to accurately present the distribution of victims of violence in the Canadian population."(47) As well, data on some forms of violence is not yet available or complete.

"While the amount of research on family violence in urban communities is abundant, little is known about violence in rural or farm communities." (28:2) The lifestyles and attitudes of rural and remote communities sometimes differ from urban areas. Family violence in these areas, while sharing many similarities, also have unique characteristics and these differences will be identified and will be given special consideration.

There are many definitions for family violence. Traditionally we are led to believe that violence must be physical in nature, usually resulting in a trip to the emergency room. However, as violence is becoming more prevalent in our society and more and more studies are being carried out as to what constitutes violence, the definition is being expanded to..."include physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse."(20)

An excerpt from a issue paper from the Canadian Public Health Association perhaps explains family violence best. "We are coming to realize that violence takes many more forms than physical blows or wounds. It includes sexual assault, neglect, verbal attacks, insults, threats, harassment and other psychological abuses. Violence occurs in homes, workplaces, public institutions, schools, health care facilities and the street. Women and children are as often the victims of violence as are men, and most often the violence is committed by someone known to the victim. Current violence includes acts that are random and spontaneous as in a lashing out in rage, as well as systemic, planned acts calculated to overpower and control. Violence affects its direct victims, those who witness violence, family members, co-workers, service providers, and all members of society." (28:iv)

The term dysfunctional is often used when discussing family violence..."it simply means that somewhere along the line there is a lack of communication or an unhealthy relationship." (10) "Family violence is characterized by the abuse of power within the family or relationship of dependency. It frequently involves repeated and escalating incidents of violence over a period of time." (23)

Most perpetrators of violence follow a pattern of abuse. "Threats of violence, followed by violent outbursts, followed by apologies, bribes and promises of "never again", followed by build-up of stress and tension only to explode again, are common." (5)

"This cycle may take days or months, with explosions that may be both unpredictable and sudden." (43)

The cycle can also be generational: "Dad beats mom. The child watches. Dad or mom beats the child. The child lives in fear. The child becomes a dad. Dad beats Mom. Its called the cycle of violence. (41)

"Those who lack power in society are the most likely victims of violence: they are vulnerable because they lack the means to resist violence, to escape from dangerous situations and to gain protection from society. Those who lack power may in turn lash out at those even less able to resist, and a cycle of violence is created." (28:11) Victims can be of any age, gender, social class, race, culture or geographic location.

Child and Youth Abuse

"Child abuse includes severe, repeated beatings; sexual abuse; use of excessive and inappropriate discipline; belittling and critical comments; and, neglect." (28:4)

Child sexual abuse "includes forcing a child - through physical, emotional, psychological or financial manipulation, both subtle and overt - to witness sexual contact, activity or behavior, to perform sexual acts or to listen to sexual remarks or comments. It further includes sexually touching a child, having intercourse with a child, or using a child for financial gain from juvenile prostitution, or the making of pornography. Child sexual abuse is a criminal offense in Canada." (23)

"Child sexual abuse occurs when a child is exploited for sexual satisfaction by an adult or teenager who is in a position of trust or relative power. Statistics indicate that in nine out of 10 cases of child sexual abuse, the offender is known to the child and that more than 90 per cent of the offenders are male." (23)

"Incest is the sexual abuse of a child, adolescent of young adult by an immediate or extended family member who is in a position of trust or relative power. Incest is a criminal offense in Canada." (23)

"The Report of the Committee on Sexual Offenses Against Children and Youth (the Badgley Report) confirmed what front-line personnel were beginning to suspect: child sexual abuse is a problem of major proportions, having significant implications for Canada's children. The Committee also found that:

• At sometime during their lives, about one in two females and one in three males had been victims of one or more unwanted sexual acts. These acts included witnessing an indecent exposure, being touched on sexual part of the body, being sexually threatened, and being subject to an attempted or an actual sexual assault.
• About four in five of these unwanted sexual acts had first been committed against these persons when they were children or youths.
• Four in one hundred young females had been raped.
• Two in one hundred young persons had experienced attempted or actual acts of unwanted anal penetration by a penis, or by means of objects or fingers.
• Acts of exposure constituted the largest single category of sexual offenses committed against children. Cases were documented where such acts were followed by sexual assault.
• Three in five sexually abused children had been threatened or physically coerced by their assailants. Young victims were as likely to be threatened or forced to engage in sexual acts by persons relatively close to their age as by older persons.
• Although few young victims were physically injured, substantially more suffered emotional harm.
• About one in four assailants was a family member or a person in position of trust, about half were friends or acquaintances, and about one in six was a stranger.
• Nearly all assailants were males; one in one hundred was a female.
• A majority of the victims of their families did not seek assistance from public services. When they did, they turned most often to police and doctors.
• Although child sexual abuse was not typically characterized by violence, in those instances where violence occurred, it was very serious. More than two in five of all sexual assault homicides were committed against children aged 15 and younger." (22:7-9)

"Potentially the most serious cases of child abuse involve preschoolers or infants. Infants, in abusive homes, are particularly at risk as they are totally dependent, vulnerable, non-verbal and require considerable amount of parental attention and patience." (34) "Youth service workers are gravely concerned about the increasingly younger age of both victims and perpetrators of violence and the increasing numbers of violent crimes committed by youth." (28:5-6)

An often overlooked segment of the population includes youth aged 12 to 19, most studies tend to focus on children under the age of 12. "An analysis of crime data from 13 police departments found that although teenagers aged 12 to 19 years make up approximately 12% of the population, they are the victims of 23% of all reported violent crimes." (28:5-6)

"While youth gangs have always existed, they appear to be more violent than before, and to engage in violence "for sport". Gangs are often formed along racial and cultural lines, but can also be made up of youth from widely varying class and racial backgrounds. Gangs can be either tightly knit groups or loosely formed alliances. Youth who are victims of gang violence are reluctant to report the crime. A Decima Research survey conducted in 1991 with 1,500 youths, 12 to 19 years of age, found that one teenager in five has a frightening encounter with a teenage gang, and one in ten had been physically assaulted or robbed by a gang." (28:5-6)

"Children generally want to tell about their abuse so it can be stopped, but they are often afraid that they will not be believed or protected, or are fearful of the possible consequences of the disclosure." (34)

"While there are no national statistics available on child abuse and neglect, those involved in child protection believe child abuse is both unreported and more prevalent than commonly thought." (28:4)

Violence Against Women

The shooting of 14 women at the Ecole polytechnique in Montreal by Marc Lepine on December 6, 1989..."highlighted violence against women as never before. December 6 is now known as the national day of remembrance and action on violence against women." (44)

"All kinds of women are abused: young women, older women, women with disabilities, pregnant women, poor and rich women, immigrant and refugee women and women born in Canada. Violence against women happens in cities, in small towns, on farms, and in isolated communities. It happens to women of all races, religions and social classes. Women who live in rural or remote areas face greater hardship." (31)

Rural values such as "keeping the family together at all costs", may give place to social stigmas in rural communities. "There is a negative social stigma attached to leaving in the rural communities. You just don't walk away...the tradition of violence is passed on within the family. Women are trained to be vulnerable to violence." (20)

According to a learning kit and discussion guide developed for the Lennox Island Family Violence Program "wife abuse refers to assaultive or abusive behavior committed by a man against a woman with whom he has had an intimate, sexual, usually cohabiting relationship. (Not limited to legally married partners). Abuse is a behavior which is either repeated or threatened to be repeated in such a way as to engender fear in the mind of the victim." (36)

Physical abuse: May include but is not limited to; pushing, slapping, punching, choking, kicking, throwing objects, abandoning her in an unsafe place, deprivation of food, water, clothing, confining her in a closet, room or building, using weapons against her, murder.

Sexual abuse: May include but not limited to; coerced or unwanted touching or sex with partner, withholding of sex or affection, forced sex with objects, friends, animals, forcing her to engage in sexual practices that make her feel humiliated, or degraded, denial of the woman's sexuality, sexual feelings, or desirability as a sexual partner, rape.

Emotional abuse: May include but is not limited to; withdrawal of affection, jealousy, denial of the right to feelings or emotions, put-downs, constant criticism, name calling, isolating her from friends and family, controlling her activities, denying her any personal pleasures or outside interests, destruction of property, pets or treasured objects, threats to harm friends or family, forcing her to watch her children being abused but not allowed to intervene, threats of suicide, threats on her life.

Economic abuse: May include but is not limited to; allowing a woman to have no money of her own, no money for emergencies, controlling all the money including the earnings of the woman, forcing her to account for and justify all money spent, not allowing her to earn money or improve her earning capacity.

Spiritual abuse: May include but is not limited to; breaking down one's belief system (cultural or religious), being punished or ridiculed for one's beliefs, preventing the practice of beliefs." (36)

"Often verbal, physical and sexual abuse go hand in hand. Threats and insults are followed by beatings. Beatings are followed by unwanted sex." (38) "If your spouse hits you, slaps you, pushes you, grabs you by the arms or hair, kicks you, or throws you against the wall or off a chair, this is abuse. Words too can be violent. If your spouse threatens to harm you, this is abuse. He may insult you, calling you fat, ugly, cold, nagging, or bad in bed. He may humiliate you in front of your children, your relatives, or your friends. This is abuse. Your spouse may force you to have sex, or force you to do things in bed that you do not want to do. He may force you to wear certain clothes. What you are experiencing is abuse." (38)

November 1993, Statistics Canada "Violence Against Women Survey" established that: "One half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of violence since the age of 16." (37) Other statistics report that "one-quarter of all women have experienced violence at the hands of a current or past marital partner. More than one-in-ten women who reported violence in a current marriage have, at some point, felt their lives were in danger." (28:4) As well "three in 10 women currently or previously married have been the victims of physical or sexual violence by their partner. The highest rates of wife assault were found in young couples together less than two years." (21:5)

"Forty percent of wife assaults begin during the time of the woman's first pregnancy." (31) "Abuse during pregnancy is common and includes blows to the abdomen and/or sexual assault. This abuse may result in complications such as pre-term deliveries, miscarriages and stillbirth." (27:3) "Battered, pregnant women are twice as likely to miscarry and four times as likely to have low-birth-weight infants." (28:9) "The joyful but often turbulent period after giving birth is possibly the most dangerous time for a woman subject to beatings and abuse, suggests a new medical study. Previous research by Toronto obstetrician Donna Stewart found abused women are more likely to be battered when pregnant. Her latest study suggests they are beaten even more often in the first three months after birth. The problems all new parents face after childbirth are a natural recipe for stress. But these can develop into a nightmare for women already under siege from abusive partners. (49)

"Abuse of women is often accompanied by neglect of basic health needs and financial deprivation, even if the abuser has adequate financial resources. Victims may suffer from nutritional and sleep deprivation, as well as emotional trauma. Examples of common health concerns experienced by abused women and children include neglect of basic immunization, follow-up Pap smears and breast lumps, untreated sexually transmitted diseases or yeast infections; and frequent premature discontinuation of prescriptions for antibiotics." (27:3) "Many women seek medical help for injuries or for vague symptoms such as stomach or backaches, insomnia or digestive problems." (4) "Signs and symptoms of stress include physical signs such as insomnia, high blood pressure, headaches and backaches, and psychological symptoms such as loss of temper, chronic fatigue, alcohol or prescription drug abuse, or overeating." (9) "Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia can result from sexual abuse in childhood." (28:9)

"Only about one-quarter of total wife assaults are reported to police, and less that 10 percent of all incidents of spousal violence result in criminal charges." (21:5) In particular, victims of sexual assault rarely reported the assault to the police" (37)

"Professional and lay people are frequently puzzled and frustrated by the strong emotional bond that exists between some battered women and their abusive partners. Even when it is clear that there is a high probability of future violence, some women will refuse to leave or, will return to the battering relationship. Unfortunately, the tendency of some women to stay has led many people who are in a position to help battered women to conclude wrongly that these women in some way cause the abuse or "get something out of" continuing it. Some factors have been isolated by family violence professionals:

• Frequency and severity of abuse: Incidents of domestic violence tend to increase in frequency and severity, and women may overlook early, infrequent and less severe incidents. Until there is an increase in the severity or frequency of the assaults, or the victim discovers that her children are being abused, she may be reluctant to leave the situation."
• Lack of self-esteem: Physical abuse is usually accompanied by emotional abuse: put-downs, belittling, and assertions that the beatings are "caused" by the women herself. Feelings of shame and /or specific prohibitions by the husband my serve to isolate the women from her family and friends. As the violence escalates, the increasing isolation prevents the woman from regaining feelings of self-worth. If she blames herself for contributing to the situation, she may feel internal pressure to stay and work things out."
• Financial dependence: In many battering relationships, the husband controls the financial means to allow her to leave, or to support herself and her children after leaving. Lack of job skills, high unemployment rates and discriminatory pay scales make it very difficult for women to adequately support themselves and their families, and they may endure the abusive relationship in order to have the necessities of life provided for themselves and their children."
• Feeling toward spouse and home: Within the cycle of violence, incidents of abuse are frequently followed by expressions of remorse and affection by the battering partner. For some women, these post-abuse periods become the most pleasant part of the marriage, and they may reinforce the positive feelings the women once had toward her mate. In addition, their partners' behavior; they may feel they can excuse the violence because they understand its roots. For most women, leaving the abusive partner means leaving their homes. Strong emotional attachments to the homes they have established over many years may seem more desirable, even with the violence, then the alternative of short-term shelters and longer-term uncertainty." (36)

Women stay in or return to abusive relationships for reasons that are as different as the individual women. It is important that the professionals and lay people alike keep in mind that whatever their reasons for staying or returning to the relationship, these victims of family violence want the abuse to stop." (36)

"It is very difficult for most women to leave abusive relationships of any kind. Welfare of the children, the children "need" a father, social pressure to stay, and the shame she feels on leaving, lack of education and skills are just some of the reasons that prevent women from leaving abusive relationships or from returning to them. Eighty to ninety per cent of women leave and return to the relationship more than once." (32:3)

Another form of violence against women is sexism. "Sexism is the systemic oppression of women and the perpetration of violence against women because of their gender. Sexism is a system that is based on male privilege and power. Women are devalued through under-representation in social and political institutions and stereotypical portrayals in the media. Negative social messages about women prevail in popular culture and many women suffer low self-esteem as a result. Sexism is practiced through economic inequality as well as through the perpetration and the threat of violence and sexually-based abuse." (23)

As a result of violence..."the majority of women (76%) fear using public transit after dark or walking alone, even in their own home area, after dark (60%). A substantial percentage of women (39%) fear being home alone in the evening." (25) "Abuse makes women fearful. It isolates them from friends, co-workers, family, neighbors and persons who can validate their feelings. Women feel guilty and often have an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The combined result of these factors is that abuse victims have low self esteem. They become incapable of decision making because they have been unable to make decisions." (4) "Women may miss work and community commitments. Their parenting skills may decline, some women retreat into depression or addictions as a coping mechanism. Other symptoms include an inability to deal independently with finances. Over time the woman ceases to be the person she once was." (4)

Violence Against Physically and Mentally Handicapped Persons

"Violence has a different impact on women with disabilities - often, they are not believed when they report abuse, they fear losing a needed service if, for example, they report the abuse by an attendant." (23)

"According to the Toronto Disabled Women's Network, about 80% of women with a disability will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime." (28:5) "A study of women with disabilities found that almost half had been sexually assaulted as children and one in four had been sexually assaulted as an adult. Of 245 women with disabilities, 40 % had been raped, abused or assaulted and 64% had been verbally abused." (31) "Children with disabilities are thought to have at least a 50% higher risk of being sexually abused than non-disabled children." (28:5)

"The Disabled Women's Network reports that young women with disabilities are most likely to be abused by their own parents, followed by female care-givers; many young women with disabilities experience assault by teachers, attendants, older brothers, and others. Many women with disabilities who leave an abusive situation are moved to an institutional setting where it is estimated they face 10 times the likelihood of being abused again." (23)

Unfortunately "shelters for battered women are rarely accessible to most women with disabilities." (23)

Elder Abuse

The Canadian Panel on Violence against Women defines elder abuse as..."harm done to an older person by anyone in a care-giving position, including spouses or partners, adult children or other relatives and staff in nursing homes or other institutions. It can include physical or sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect (failing to provide the basic necessities of life such as adequate food, shelter, hygiene, health care or companionship), or financial exploitation, by withholding, misusing or stealing money or possessions from older persons, or forcing them to sell personal property." (23)

Health and Community Services New Brunswick further defines elder abuse as..."any deliberate action or lack of action which causes harm to an elderly person is considered elder abuse or neglect." It may take many forms:

Physical abuse can include pushing, shoving, slapping, punching, kicking, hair pulling, or any other type of physical assault. It can cause serious injury or in extreme cases death.

Psychological/emotional abuse occurs when an elderly person is regularly yelled at, criticized, threatened with harm to self or others, threatened with abandonment or institutionalization, isolated from friends or relatives, intimidated, or is subject to inappropriate control.

Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual act that is forced on another individual without his/her consent, including unwanted touching, kissing, or fondling. Submission under threat or force is not valid consent.

Financial abuse involves the misuse of money or property without the senior's knowledge and full consent. It can include fraud or using the senior's funds contrary to the needs and interests of the older person. Sudden changes in a will or unusual bank withdrawals may signal financial abuse.

Neglect is the failure to provide the necessities of life such as food, fluids, adequate clothing, and necessary personal care such as bathing, hair care, etc. Neglect can be deliberate or unintentional." (33)

"More than 18 000 elderly persons in Canada are subjected to more than one type of abuse.

Financial abuse is the most prevalent type of abuse, affecting 60 000 Canadian elders. It is more likely to be perpetrated by a distant relative or a non-relative than by a close family member. Approximately 12 000 seniors in Canada experience physical abuse. Victims of physical abuse are more likely than non-victims to be married. In the majority of cases, the abusers are spouses of the victim. Chronic verbal aggression, a component of psycho social abuse, affects approximately 34 000 elderly Canadians." (35)

"The abuse and neglect of older Canadians does not only occur within private dwellings in our communities. It may also occur in institutions such as senior citizen's homes, hospitals, nursing homes and chronic care facilities." (27:16-17) "An elder abuse victim can be an older man or woman of any income level, any ethnic or cultural background, in good or frail health, living in the community or in an institution. The perpetrator can be a family member, a neighbor, a caregiver, a business agent, or a stranger." (33) "One Canadian survey found that 4% of seniors, or 98,000 Canadians, 65 years of age or over and not living in an institution suffer some form of abuse by informal caregivers, neighbors and friends each year." (28:4)

Many older people tend to remain in abusive situations for basically the same reasons that younger victims do. "Many elderly women have been abused as children and as adults and they continue to suffer violence when they get older." (23) Also "Older clients may be more likely than younger ones to feel that it is too late to start a new life." (27:16-17) "Elders often do not take any action against their abusers. They may be ashamed, embarrassed, and unwilling to risk being rejected by loved ones. Victims often rationalize abuse, blaming themselves in the belief that they once hurt the abuser. Victims abused by their sons or daughters occasionally feel inadequate and embarrassed, and blame themselves for poor child rearing. Victims are usually reluctant to admit abuse is taking place and often refuse an offer of assistance. Elders would often rather endure the present situation than risk being sent to an institution." (35)

"As the problem of elder abuse has only recently come to public attention, there are few statistics on the incidence and prevalence of elder abuse. Even available figures are likely understated, as victims of abuse are reluctant to identify themselves. (35) "It is estimated that only one in 14 cases of elder abuse is ever reported to the police." (28:4)

Violence Against Men

"For men, there is a further stigma attached to being abused. There is still a general belief that a man cannot be assaulted by his partner. Victims, as a result, are reluctant to report offenses. Related reasons for not reporting are varied and can include: loyalty to spouse and family; guilt and shame; loss of economic support and perceived negative response of the police." (42)

"We have tended to believe that men are more likely to be victims of crime than women. Studies show that gender differences of victims of violent crime are getting smaller, and increases in reporting rates of crimes such as wife battering and sexual assault, are also altering the distribution of reported violent crime according the gender. Men tended to be victimized by strangers. Fifty-one percent of men were victimized by strangers compared to 20% of women." (28:3)

Other Victims of Violence

"There is increasing evidence to show that other family members may be contributing significantly to violence in the home. A national survey conducted in 1981 in the US. showed that more than eight out of ten parents with two or more children at home reported that one incident of sibling violence had occurred in the last year. These incidents range from minor to severe, but may have a greater impact than has previously been thought." (28:4)

"Two other types of violence within the family receiving attention are parent abuse (in one study, one in ten parents reported being hit at least once by their children); and parental abuse of adolescents (one out of three parents of adolescents 15 to 17 years stated that he or she had physically attacked the youth at least once during the previous year). (28:4)

As well "violence in schools appears to be on the rise as younger and younger children are arming themselves and resorting to physical violence against teachers and peers. These incidents are creating a siege mentality in some schools and may be breeding a new generation of children who are either aggressive or fearful. In a national survey, 40% of teenagers said the issue of school violence had reached a 'very serious' stage." (28:5-6)

Suicide

"One of the major risk factors of suicide is loss. This could include loss of a loved one, marriage breakdown, loss of a job or loss of one's self-esteem. Isolation, depression, and sexual, emotional or physical abuse are also among the risk factors of suicide. Relationships seem to play a big part. There may be a lot of things going on in a person's life, but relationship break-up may be the last straw." (3:2)

"A comparison of adult women victims of crime showed that rates of "nervous breakdowns", suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts were significantly higher for crime victims than for non-victims. Victims of sexual violence had more problems than victims of physical violence and robbery. Nearly one sexual assault victim in five (19.2%) had attempted suicide, compared to 2.2% of non-victims." (28:9) "Even more startling is the estimate that for every person who dies by suicide, there are 50 to 100 people who attempt to take their own lives." (46) Besides the person themselves "there are at least five people affected by every suicide or attempted suicide." (3:2)

"The unfortunate part about suicide is according to the statistics many of those who take their own lives are young. They are usually young males. Females attempt more but males complete suicide more because the method they use is usually more lethal." (3:2) "What is even more disturbing is the rise in the number of young people who see this as the only way out." (14)"Canada has the third worst teenage suicide problem in the world." (45) As well a survivor of child abuse is ..."ten times more likely to attempt suicide than those not abused as children" (28:9)

"Suicide is always a big shock - whether signs were exhibited or not. Most people believe only a certain type of person commits suicide. Jean McBrine, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association says, "Suicide crosses all paths. You cannot say one population is more prone to suicide than another - although there is some new research which indicates people who are poor have a somewhat higher rate (of suicide)." (3:2)

"About 80% of people who take their lives give warning signs," says Mrs. Jean McBrine, the executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association. "It might have been that the person was exhibiting signs, but people cannot be expected to know everything about every person. And some people could be exhibiting the same signs and have no suicidal tendencies. Family members and friends must really look at the whole person and what is going on in their lives." (3:2)

"Some of the warning signs of suicide include threats or joking about suicide, making final arrangements, abrupt changes in personality, withdrawal from friends and family, self-criticism and increased use of drugs and alcohol." (3:2) "There are at least six warning signs of suicide that everyone should know: suicide threats; statements revealing a desire to die; previous suicide attempts; sudden changes in behavior (withdrawal, apathy, moodiness); depression (crying, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, hopelessness); final arrangements (such as giving away personal possessions). If you see someone displaying one or more of these behaviors, discuss it openly with the individual and show interest by helping them find professional help." (46)

Murder and Attempted Murder

"In 1991, about one-third (34%) of all homicides where the accused was identified were committed by a family member. Fifty-three percent were committed by an acquaintance and 13% by a stranger. Males were almost 10 times as likely to be the accused in a homicide than females. Forty-seven percent of all the accused were between the ages of 18 and 29." (28:2) "A survey on spousal homicides concluded that women are nine times more likely to be killed by their spouses than by a stranger; men kill more often than women; women more often kill in self-defense or after enduring abuse; and the risk of murder increase after a separation." (39:2) "In 1991, 36% of homicide victims were killed with guns, 30% were stabbed and 19% were beaten." (28:3)

Femicide is "the killing of women by men. Femicide is usually characterized by the use of excessive brutality (for example, multiple methods of murder used on a single victim). It also includes the murder of women by their intimate male partners." (23) "Family violence accounts for 60% of female homicides." (42)

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

"Fifty-two percent of those accused of murder in 1991 and 1992 were known to have consumed a substance at the time of the incident. Among those accused of murder in 1991 and 1992, who were known to have consumed a substance, 66% had consumed alcohol; 27% had consumed alcohol and other drugs; and 7% had consumed other drugs. Sixty-eight percent of the victims had consumed alcohol; 22% had consumed alcohol and other drugs; and 10% had consumed other drugs." (28:7)

"Many men use alcohol or drugs as a shield or excuse," (20) "As well, parents who drank had emotional problems and few social ties that were healthy and strong (so these parents repeat the pattern they learned as children)." (5:1)

"Compared to women who have not been abused as adults, 40% more of battered women report use of drugs to sleep and 74% more of battered women report use of drugs to relieve anxiety. Women who were psychologically abused by their partners had five times the risk of alcohol dependency, and physically abused women had eight times the risk. A survivor of child abuse is seven times more likely to become dependent on alcohol and drugs..." (28:9)

Mental and Emotional Abuse

"Psychological/emotional abusers often humiliate or degrade their victims in public and in private. They tell their victims again and again that they are the cause of their own problems and that they are crazy. Victims, therefore, internalize the blame and begin to loathe themselves. This is reflected by the numbers of psychological/emotional abused women who seek counseling because they feel inadequate and often have low self-esteem." (23)

"Families in which abuse is most likely often has childhood of abuse, low self-esteem, few coping, problem-solving or communication skills." (5:1)

Spousal Abuse

"The criminal code of Canada provides definitions pertaining to assault and sexual assault. For example: An assault is the intentional use of force on another person against his or her will (i.e. touching, slapping, kicking, punching). It is also an assault to threaten to use force. If a person attempted to assault you but was prevented from doing so, they can still be charged with attempted assault or attempted sexual assault, depending on the circumstances." (42)

Assaults and Battery

"Physical abuse/assault includes hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, tearing out hair, burning, biting, cutting, choking, pushing, shoving, or physically confining someone. It can involve the use of weapons, such as knives, clubs, guns or objects like broken glass or furniture, which might be thrown or brandished by an assaulted. Physical violence may result in broken bones, internal injuries, temporary or permanent disabilities, miscarriages, depression, emotional trauma, or death. It can be inflicted by a stranger or by a relative acquaintance, husband or partner." (23)

"Battering is the use of violence to gain power and control over someone. Battering is repeated physical, sexual or emotional abuse. The abuse may range from insults, threats, neglect, slaps, kicks, shoving, choking, beating with a weapon, stabbing and shooting. It may ultimately end in death or suicide." (43)

"The victim's picture is one who has low self-esteem, a traditionalist, dependent, and thinks always of others. The battered usually also has low self-esteem, and has to control and dominate others, and has been taught not to express healthy emotions. He is also insecure and dependent on his spouse." (32)

"Assaults accounted for 76% of all violent incidents...reported in 1989." (28:3)

Sexual Abuse

"A high percentage of sexual assaults are planned. Sexual assault is not caused by uncontrollable male sexual impulses. Men who commit sexual assault are from every background -- rich and poor; of every racial and ethnic group; and are in every kind of job and profession. " (29:4)

"Statistics related to female survivors indicated that nearly all sexual assaults are committed by men against women or girls. Sexual assault is, unfortunately, a much too frequent part of women's lives. Conservative statistics document that 1 in 4 Canadian women will be sexually assaulted at sometime in their lives." (29:4)

"Women of all ages, physical types, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and economic circumstances are sexually assaulted; this includes older women and disabled women." (29:4) "Sexual assault can happen at any age, from early childhood to old age, it may or may not involve weapons, may or may not result in serious physical injury or death, but it almost always results in psychological injury. Sexual assault can be committed by a stranger or by someone known to the victim." (23) "More than half of all sexual assaults are committed by men who are known to the women." (29:4)

"Many women live in fear of being sexually assaulted, and are therefore forced to make special arrangements to protect their personal safety. As a result, women are not as free as men in our society. Men do not live with this same fear about, and concern for, their personal safety." (29:4)

"Most people believe that sexual assaults happens in "dangerous" places such dark alleys or parking lots. But more than half of all sexual assaults take place in private homes. Sexual assaults occur in all kinds of communities -- from large urban centers to small isolated towns or rural areas." (29:4)

According to the Criminal Code of Canada:

"An individual may be charged with sexual assault if you were forced to kiss, fondle, or have sexual intercourse with them. As well, if you were kissed or touched in a sexual way without your consent (no sign of physical injury or abuse need be present), this charge may also apply." (42)

"During a sexual assault, attempted or otherwise, if a person assaults you with a weapon (imitation or real), or threatened to harm someone else (i.e. a child), they maybe charged with sexual assault with a weapon. This also applies if a third party is involved (i.e. if they were with another person or persons who sexually assaulted you). (42)

"An individual may be charged with aggravated sexual assault if while you were being sexually assaulted, you were wounded, crippled, disfigured or brutally beaten and/or our life was endangered." (42)

"A women has the right to say "no" to any form of unwanted sexual activity. If a women says "no", she means no. The "no" does not have to be verbal. It can be indicated by gestures or turning away." (29:4)

Dating Violence

"Date rape is committed by a man against a women he knows. Any physical assault, emotional or psychological abuse and manipulation and unwanted and forced sexual acts within a relationship between a man and a woman who aren't living together do have a social relationship is also known as courtship abuse or girlfriend assault. Young women are especially targeted, as societal pressure and lack of education and services often put them at risk." (23)

"According to a Canadian survey of college and university students, 45% of the young women reported they had been sexually abused in a dating relationship since leaving high school, almost 35% had been physically abused and 79% had been psychologically abused." (28:5)

Cult and Ritual Abuse

"The abuse can involve sadistic child sexual abuse, torture, mutilation and murder that occurs in a ritualistic and often religious context. The abuse can also involve children being forced to watch ritualistic torture and the murder of other children and animals. Typically, when children are victims, the father and sometimes the mother is involved in the abuse as are other members of the extended family and members of the community in which the child lives. The perpetrators may form a community-wide conspiracy involving people with a high degree of credibility who hold positions of trust." (23)

"According to recent studies, must survivors of cult and ritual abuse report the groups that abused them were involved in child pornography. Victims of this type of abuse are terrified to tell what happened to them for fear of recrimination, and often when they do tell, they are met with disbelief." (23)

Violence in the Workplace

"It includes: verbal abuse; unwelcome sexual innuendoes, remarks, jokes or comments based on physical appearance causing discomfort, embarrassment or humiliation; display of pornographic, offensive or derogatory material; unwelcome invitations or requests; leering, lewd or provocative comments or gestures; demands for sexual favors; any unnecessary and unwelcome physical contact, from patting and touching to rape; and, physical assault." (23)

"There is evidence that abuse and assault in the workplace is an important issue. A recent random telephone survey of members of the British Colombia Nurses' Union showed that in the previous five years, 72% of its members had been abused or threatened on the job, including grabbing, hitting and kicking, verbal assaults, threats, and mental and sexual harassment." (28:6)

Robbery and Property Damage

There have been many incidents of threats of property damage and actual property damage on the farm by dissatisfied employees. Theft on the farm is another problem that is difficult to establish and correct as it is in most working environments.

"The health effects of violence are far reaching. National population-based data describing the magnitude of these effects are not yet available." (28:9) "A comprehensive analysis of the cost of violence in Canada has not been done. " (28:7-8)

"In addition to immeasurable human costs, the economic costs of violence include: work-related costs (lost work time and productivity); financial costs related to police resources; emergency and on-going medical treatment costs; hospital stays; prescription drugs; victims' counseling services; insurance claims and court actions; social services and foster homes; the costs of imprisonment of offenders; the costs of violence-induced learning disabilities and school drop-out; transition houses and second-stage housing; sexual assault centers; and programs for physically and sexually violent men." (28:7-8)

The following figures are just a few of the many costs that can be attributed to violence:

• The cost of a day's stay in an acute care hospital varies according to the treatment received and the specific hospital. In one urban center the cost of a day in an acute care hospital varied from $366 to $684. According to Statistics Canada, 102,323 days of in-patient hospital care were utilized in 1991-92 as a result of violence. This results in a cost of between $37.8 million and $70.7 million per year."
• We do not know how many emergency room visits are made every year in Canada, however, the cost of one visit in one urban center ranges from $37 to $62.
• The average annual cost of incarceration in a federal institution is estimated at $47,760 per offender.
• The average annual cost of supervision an offender on parole or statutory release is estimated at $9,422 per offender.
• The lifetime psychiatric health care costs for 15 women with multiple personality disorder, resulting from sexual abuse, is $4,144,115. The figure includes the cost of an average of 98.8 months in the health care system before diagnosis of multiple personality disorder.
• A US. study estimates the offender-related expenses for child sexual abuse to be $169,029 and $14,304 as the total expenses for the victim." (28:7-8)

Farm women believe that education and awareness is the key to eliminating family violence in rural communities for future generations. This education process should be a multi-faceted approach taken by many government levels and carried out in conjunction with private agencies, rural community residents and farm families.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure especially when it comes to domestic violence." (5:1)

There is no social need more widely spread or more costly to society than family violence. There is a critical need for collaboration between the identifiers of the issues and the various governmental and community service organizations, making use of all the available resources from across Canada..

Farm women expressed their concern that the issue of family violence should be approached in a broader manner --focusing on all victims and all abusers. As stated earlier in this document, studies are expanding the definition of family violence to include not only physical abuse, but also verbal, emotional, sexual, financial, harassment and neglect. Farm women have reported these types of abuse in their input to this position paper. Farm women say that mental, emotional and verbal abuse needs to be treated more seriously. They also recognize that women are perpetrators of this type of abuse as well as men. Farm women are very concerned that this type of abuse is a major factor in generational abuse.

This is not to excuse or justify any person for using any form of family violence nor does this minimize the widespread problem of men abusing women in order to control the women's lives. "We have tended to believe that men are more likely to be victims of crime than women. Studies show that gender differences of victims of violent crime are getting smaller, and increases in reporting rates of crimes such as wife battering and sexual assault, are also altering the distribution of reported violent crime according to gender. Recent analysis of reported violent crime shows that women are at least as likely to be victims of violence as are men (Statistics Canada, 1992b)." (28:2-3)

For the purposes of these statistics "violent crimes include murder and attempted murder, manslaughter, infanticide, assault, sexual assault, other sexual offenses, robbery and abduction. Violent crime comprises 10% of all reported offenses and property crimes accounts for 60% (Statistics Canada, 1990a)." (28:2-3)

"Among violent crime victims, women tend to be victimized by individuals whom they know. Eighty percent of women were victimized by someone they knew, compared to 48% of men. Men tended to be victimized by strangers. Fifty-one percent of men were victimized by strangers compared to 20% of women (Statistics Canada, 1990b)." (28:2-3)

"We must be cautious and realize that reported crime is an underestimate of violence in society. Frequently, violent incidents are not reported to the police. In 1987, according to the General Social Survey, 31% of all violent incidents identified in the survey were reported to the police (Sacco and Johnson, 1990)." (28:2-3) Farm women believe that punishment should reflect the severity of the violence crime. Farm women want the justice system to publicly declare zero tolerance to physical abuse.

Farm women state that family violence in any form is inexcusable. It is a problem that requires a solution by all segments of society. Family violence not only affects the family, it ripples into the community, businesses, organizations, economy and governments.

In the document "Cultivating Courage: The Needs and Concerns of Rural Women Who are Abused by Their Partners" the authors identified two definitions of the term "rural". They state that "any area with a population of less than 1000; and any area where the dominant economic activity is agricultural" is defined as rural. (16)

Participants of this position paper expressed the desire to keep our focus on rural and remote Canada, excluding towns and cities that have centralized services. This would include areas of open countryside, country people and agricultural families, along with small communities where there are no full time government service centers.

"Remote" would encompass the regions that are at a geographic or time distance from centralized services and would include people and communities that are not closely related to regions with full government services.

A "rural" definition should include considerations for the number of people involved, the geography of the areas and an identification of the industries located in the region. Industries other than agriculture are not specifically mentioned in this position paper. The input is from farm women and the information is specifically designed to relate to farm families and their needs.

It is within this context that we begin to discuss the problem of family violence in rural and remote Canada.

"The problem looms large and is more devastating for rural families when it does occur because of these factors: stress, isolation, lack of resources during a crisis, distance to help, limited access for follow-up, lack of information/education materials, and professional attitudes (barriers)." (5:1)

"Thirty-five years ago half of Canadians who lived in the country were on working farms. Today just slightly more than 10 percent of rural Canadians are farmers." (2) As family farms have disappeared, the rural community has become the residence of unrelated individuals whose lifestyles have less in common. As schools, churches, post offices, and rural businesses close, the sense of community is disintegrating. The rural infrastructure for community has been weakened and community activities have become less or disappeared completely in some communities. This directly relates to the presence of family violence in rural communities as will be shown throughout this position paper.

Due to lack of current research readily available on rural and remote regions, this position paper cannot specifically acknowledge an increase or decrease in family violence in these areas.

The Need for Sensitization of Professionals of the Factors that relate to Family Violence on Family Farms

Farm women identified three realities that they believe are triggers of family violence on the family farm:

(1) poor economic conditions
(2) long hours of labour on and off the farm (paid and unpaid)
(3) high debt loads and few solutions

Farm women believe these three factors are major contributors to high stress loads and farm families are reaching the level where they can no longer cope. The original reasoning for embarking upon this research document was the recognition that set the stage for family violence to increase on family farms. Through the grassroots input process other factors have been identified such as generation abuse and the conflict resulting from traditional male/female roles.

The following factors be will touched upon in order to demonstrate the sensitization that is needed by professionals, governments, the judicial system and community service workers when working in rural areas that are predominantly farming regions.

A. Recognizing Myths about the Economics of Farming and the Image of Farmers

"Historically supporting ourselves with hospital coverage, dental, eyeglass, and prescription needs, for example, and taking care of our own children and parents, there is shame and guilt felt by proud self-supporting families in asking for assistance." (36a:119-120)

"Economically, farming has been through much devastation in the last decade. Free trade, NAFTA and GATT are probably the first words our babies say now! There has been less money to pay for outside help on the farms and so the workload is heavier for everyone in the family, and financial rewards are no longer promised in the old work ethic. Stories of alcohol abuse, economic abuse, and psychological and physical abuse seem to be more common. Still, no one admits to knowing, for sure, if this ever happens. It is only when a marriage in our community splits up that we think that maybe those stories we heard might have been true, even for our neighbor down the road". (36a:119-120)

Limited Understanding

It has been said..."that 20-25 percent of farmers - those that are commercial or competitive produce 75-80 percent of the food we eat. In much of the world only 10-20 percent of the population has the money to be customers: the other 80-90 percent are left to go hungry as marginal and underpaid workers to provide for themselves through subsistence farming". (12:8)

This is commonly referred to as "the politics of food."

Professionals need to understand this food distribution system in order to understand the restructuring of farming and rural communities. They also need to understand this in order to understand what is happening to farm families and rural communities.

Farm women recommend that the departments of agriculture and education partner to facilitate agriculture in the classroom from kindergarten to high school. Adult education should include the complete food system and the politics of food. Courses at the university and college level should include, where applicable, this information as well.

Historically agriculture has been at the heart of rural communities. Agriculture has traditionally been comprised of basic social units called farm families who form a cooperative economic structure in order to obtain a livelihood, luxuries, social and political position. Rural is no longer just agriculture and now, due to rural restructuring, all industries are being drawn in to reflect rural. This has presented a number of challenges to farmers.

In the whole of Canada farmers represent 3% of the population while in rural communities farmers represent 10% of that rural population. While farmers only represent 3% of the population their economic contribution is in the billions annually and they representing 75% to 80% of the land base in Canada.

In order to dispel the myths and stereotypes about family farms, researchers should study the tie between the changing business of farming today and how it affects the lifestyle of the farm family. They should also understand the tie between the business of farming and the maintenance of the rural community. It needs to be understood that these realities create high stress levels and fewer community support systems which directly impacts family violence in rural Canada. This will also affect the ability to create and carry out solutions to family violence in rural communities. Researchers must use the experience and ideas of rural people.

Stereotypes, Generalizations, Assumptions

Farmers are often portrayed as hay seeders with red polka dotted hankies hanging from their back pockets. This visual depicts someone who is out-dated, uneducated and poor.

Poor, uneducated persons and welfare families do live in rural areas and are a significant part of rural service providers clientele, but generalizations should not include the farm population within this general group. In fact, not all rural residents are poor, uneducated and out of touch with urban culture.

There is a bias in research that leads to the generalization that rural and farm families are uninformed because of their rural and farm lifestyles.

Wrong conclusions are formed because professionals approach the rural and farm families with preconceived concepts, such as rural and farm people are more resistant to change.

Some other biases are rural and farm people have stronger traditions; rural and farm people have patriarchal families and rural and farm people have more rigid male/female role values.

In agriculture, professionals have an out-dated stereotype of the family farm that leads to the assumption that family farm people are equal to welfare recipients who have developed a lifestyle of subsidization. Part-time farmers are hobby farmers who are subsidized and taking advantage of the tax system. This mind set leads to development of programs and policies that have moral hazard protection for farmers who cheat the system.

"There is also a great deal of misunderstanding about farmers' incomes - another stress factor. Canadians pay less for food than most other people." (11:11-12)

"The myth that only in the cities do we find crime, delinquency, alcoholism, prostitution, personal disorganization, mental illness, non-productive work and general unhappiness is unfounded." (9)

These stereotypes and generalizations damage rural and farm families' self esteem and causes high frustration levels when they are misunderstood and misrepresented. These myths also keep policy makers and deliverers of services from targeting the real causes and finding effective solutions and they create barriers in opening discussions on rural and farm family violence.

Professionals, policy developers and program deliverers must address these biases and attitudes toward rural and farm people before they will be able to truly evaluate the factors contributing to family violence in rural and farm communities.

The new reality of modern agriculture has to be understood by all in order to make constructive change. A new definition for the family farm must to be developed. A new understanding of the sources and production of food should be promoted and a new understanding of rural and farm people needs to be established. Such an understanding would go a long way toward addressing rural problems such as low self image. These feelings of worthlessness and frustration of being out of control of one's life causes extremely high stress, suicide, verbal and emotional abuse, and battering.

The problem of limited understanding, stereotypes, generalizations and assumptions has to be examined by all those inside and outside the agricultural industry, in order to eliminate the barriers to dealing with family violence on the farm.

Farm children are often seen as the "hay seeders" kids at school. This has a lifetime impact on these children. To have been from a farm family means that you have to work harder to prove that you can achieve whatever goals you set in life, or to be seen the same as urban children. The education system should to take an active part in teaching the positive aspects of farming and the value of agriculture to all society , as well as the role that farm families play in managing the food production business in Canada. This exercise would help eliminate stereotyping for future generations.

British Colombia in an excellent example of delivering agriculture in the classroom as a method to be used to solve the problem. Farm women strongly recommend that all the provincial governments support similar initiatives. It is also recommended that the federal government reinstate the position of a national "agriculture in the classroom" coordinator.

In order for the family farm business to be seen in a new reality, the Canadian Farm Women's Network is in the process of developing a position paper called "Defining the Family Farm". This position paper will be developed through input from farm families all across Canada during the summer and fall of 1995 and will be used to address many of the stereotypes given to the family farm industry. It will also be used to educate the general public, professionals and government officials and farm families on the internal and external factors affecting the viability of the family farm and the farm family in rural Canada.

There needs to be a concentrated effort by farm families to enhance the image of the farm family. Positive re-enforcement of the farm family should start in the home and be supported by all farm individuals, by farm couples, by fellow farmers and their neighbors by maintaining high regard and respect for each other and being supportive of one another.

The farm couple must concentrate more on reinforcing each other as legal and economic partners. Fellow farmers and neighbors need to support each other as valuable contributors to society, as well as business colleagues. A conscious effort must be made by farm organizations to build in respect and support for all farmers. Agriculture awareness campaigns by farm organizations need to concentrate on food production so that the general public understands the food system.

This practice should be carried out throughout government systems if we are to change the attitudes of individuals and society as a whole.

It is the goal of farm women to change attitudes in the agriculture industry and thereby change behaviors. Family violence will stop when respect for individuals begins.

B. Recognizing Stress on the Farm

"Farming is known to be one of North America's highest stress-producing occupations, and the stress factor is growing worse. It is high time that the perpetration of the myth that there is little or less stress in rural living be squelched and that the general public realize that farm family units and rural communities have always suffered stresses." (9)

"Eighty per cent of farmers report the experience of more stress today than 10 years ago." (8) "The US. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health classifies owning and operating a farm among the top 10% of high stress occupations." (8) Farm women are asking the Canadian government to look at this factor more closely in Canada and how it might contribute to family violence.

Time and stress management have been topics on the agendas of many farm women's conferences over the past few years, but never before has the farm family reached such stress levels as in the last few years. Doctors from the Brandon University in Manitoba state that farm families have to learn to deal with stress even more than the average urban family.

"Stress may be defined as demand...stress is cumulative. We can accommodate and even benefit by small or moderate amounts of demand while excessive amounts tend to disable us. The demands we face in our daily lives affect our emotional functioning in an identical way. The concept of the straw that can break the camel's back is very accurate emotionally." (17)

According to Floranne McLaughlin, a farmer and member of the study team, little is known about family violence in rural communities. We know from other studies that family violence causes great harm to many women and children in Canada. But most of these studies have looked at urban families." (48)

CAUSES

"The hard work involved in farming may put stress on families and could lead to abuse". (48) "Stress is part of every farmer's life. It may make one person faster, work harder, and plan better. But when stress becomes distress, it threatens mental and physical health and may eventually become disabling. Farmers constantly face the ordeals of fluctuating prices, drought, accidents, family growing pains, when stress interferes with personal and family goals the quality of life diminishes. We need to recognize the stress factors that endanger that lifestyle which we hold precious." (9)

"Many do not realize the pressures on the farm family unit and the problems of coping with life on the farm. It is a struggle for the farm family to cope with rising costs of production and unpredictable prices for their products; with the climatic conditions during seeding time and harvest; with the time element of activities for both children and adults - to name only a few." (9)

"Women of Unifarm conducted a program on how to recognize and how to cope effectively with those sources of stress identified in the study. In the study on "Stress in the Farm Family Unit" it was discovered that farm finances were also part of many of the other stress-producing situations. Among other items causing stress were family, work, land use issues, farm management, health, retirement and community social problems. Finances, family, and work, were each found to more than double the stress level attached to the remaining areas." (9)

"The economic pressure, the decision-making, the high seasonal work loads, mounting restrictions, increasing paperwork, family conflicts and excessive off-farm activities are all stress factors. Farming has evolved from a largely physical occupation into one that requires more mental and emotional input; it is a lonely high-pressure job." (9)

"The authors put stressful situations on farms into six categories: financial pressure, weather unpredictability, work overload, stress from interaction with other people including family members, farming hassles including traveling long distances for goods and services, health problems, with stock or crops, operating amidst changing government regulations, and farm worries resulting from apprehension about any of the stressful factors." (9)

Exhaustion and overwork are also reasons why victims do not take steps to protect themselves and their children from abusers.

Many farmers also work off the farm or have a non-farm business on the farm. There is not the time and energy to deal with personal comfort levels or needs. These factors could overload the farm family and contribute to family violence.

In the case of farmers, multiple job roles are increased even more by the farm business.

"...Families, because of the financial strain over the last ten years and the nature of the farming family, try to cope mentally and emotionally and not ask for help (pride). When the strain would break any normal family, this sets the stage for increased arguments, conflicts, poor communication and a sense of desperation for many families." (5:1)

Family farms represent 98% of the farming operations currently functioning in Canada today.

On 60% of the family farms in Canada, farm women manage the financial affairs on a daily basis. Many of these same women, work at an off farm job in order to help pay farm bills and feed the family, as well as raise a family and do volunteer work in their communities.

Besides doing the bookkeeping, managing employees and managing the marketing of farm products, farmers are operating another value-added business or non-farm business from the home. These are the realities of the economic situation of family farms in Canada and the pressures on the farm family.

Lack of communication is another factor that contributes to family violence on the family farm. It goes without saying that the time to communicate has become a luxury that many farm families find hard to maintain. Multiple jobs and responsibilities carried by both partners means that days could go by with very little communication. High stress loads coupled with anger and frustration set the stage for handling conflicts in either verbal or physical ways that are not appropriate. Sexual relationships suffer and some family relationships deteriorate into abusive situations that leads to separation and divorce.

The farm business is also isolated from their service industry. In many cases they have to travel many miles for machinery parts, equipment and other services such as banking. This requires additional time and adds to the workload of someone on the farm, not to mention the increased cost of production. Often it is the farm woman who is expected to add these chores to her daily routine, creating work overload for her.

Another contributing factor to workload is volunteerism. This activity is increasingly encouraged by government agencies and services in areas regarding industry input into policy development and decision-making. The reality is that many farm families already have commitments to their local communities through their church, recreation councils, children's' activities or through work on boards of local business ventures. Farm families are nearing the breaking point of their ability to cope with stress before volunteerism is factored into the equation. The pressure of time commitment alone may contribute to incidence of family abuse.

Expectations of government for farm families to adapt to new trade agreements and the new rules of international trade has added a great amount of stress to farm families in Canada. Not only are farm families to produce food products, now they are expected to value add and to market their own products, even to export their products to foreign countries. This adds three new business ventures to the dimensions of farming. Along with being scientifically up to date, and aggressively business-wise, farmers also have to educate themselves in three new skill levels.

These expectations might be realistic, if the price of farm products were adjusted upward to meet the increased cost of these activities, but the food distribution system is still expecting competitively priced (cheap) food to be channeled into their system. At the current level of farm gate prices, farmers cannot remain financially viable. In order not to lose what they have worked for all their lives, farmers are abusing themselves, and their children through overwork and exhaustion.

A few sources recognized farm stress factors by making statements like.. "...urban people moving to the country may not appreciate the odors of livestock farming, and there may be conflicts over this and other environmental and ecological issues" (9)

Extended family relationships add another dimension to the family farm stress load. "Another common source of stress is the father/son, or father/son-in-law relationship. It isn't easy for Dad to let go and not give advice when his young and inexperienced son attempts to assume more responsibility by applying new ideas, which may not be financially sound. Mom tries to be the mediator." (11:11-12) This is only an example for possible conflict areas.

EFFECTS

"To exceed the range of best emotional functioning is to increase the likelihood of error and accident. Such mistakes can be extremely costly in a farming operation. Emotional overload leads to feelings of tension, short tempers, increased worry, decreased work productivity and difficulty in making decisions." (17)

"The usual image of farm life is incomplete and unrealistic. The pastoral poetry does not mention that farms have become hazardous places to live; big machinery has produced an accidental death rate on Canadian farms which is 20% higher than the national average. The Alberta Farm Accident Monitoring System has identified stress to be a major contributor to farm accidents in Alberta." (9)

Farm women tell us that high stress levels lead to increased use of alcohol abuse. Drug abuse has been identified as the over use of prescription drugs in order to cope with depression and stress. There needs to be a review of alcohol and drug abuse on family farms in order to understand the effects on the farm family as well as the family farm business. A link needs to be established between family violence on the farm and substance abuse in order to determine if alcohol and drug abuse is resulting in violence or if family violence is adding to the problem of substance abuse.

"Suicide rate for farmers is 40.6 per 100,000 compared to 18.1 for the general population." (6) "More than one in three farm fatalities is a suicide." (8)

Canadian farm women not only point out that excessive stress levels on family farms is a major contributor to family violence, they also advise that the farm family needs help to cope with that stress.

COPING WITH STRESS

Farm women are asking for rural family services to assist when there is a need for farm families to learn to cope with these high stress levels and are disparing to watch as services are discontinued in rural Canada. It has been suggested through our input process that rural health centers might be used in order to distribute resource materials to farm families and provide professional services needed to help through counseling. Counseling is seen by farm women as part of prevention as well as the "cure". Workshops could also be held on various identified stress related factors. Where health centers don't exist, possibly mobile family resource centers could be used to reach those rural and remote areas with no government service centers.

In order to target the services most needed, rural studies need to be done in all rural and remote areas of Canada, not just in urban centers of Canada. There are regional diversities and industry diversities that need to be considered in policy and program development for family violence initiatives. Even within agriculture there are different commodities. These commodities require different decision making processes and encompass different risk levels which cause farm families to experience a variety of stress levels. Various skills are needed in order for these families to cope with their personal lives. Professionals need to understand these factors in order to serve farm families.

C. Recognizing Fear on the Farm

Many farm women resist the idea of talking about fear on their farms. The reasons for this reaction are not clear, other than the fact that farm families think of family violence as physical violence. Upon looking at the fear that is present in urban family lifestyles, farm women have come to recognize that, not only is there fear on their farms, but there is also uniqueness to some of the fears on the farm.

Fear and anxiety are also factors that have unique aspects on family farms. Law enforcement officers, support groups and community service workers need to be sensitized to these realities.

One of the greatest fears on the family farm is the loss of the family farm created by economic instability. Generational labour and commitment weigh heavily especially on the male farmer, but the spouse often has an equal feeling of responsibility for the maintenance of the family farm. If faced with abuse or losing the family farm the victim will often take the abuse. The fear of causing economic ruin for the farm is a very real deterrent to victims dealing with abuse.

Farm family members are in danger of losing the family farm have to be very mature and balanced in order to avoid abusive situations among family members. Many of the farm failures occurring in Canada is due to external factors beyond the farm families control and this needs to be recognized in order for proper counseling and support services to be put into place.

Farm families live with a growing fear of not knowing what is coming next. High debt loads, loan payments and mortgage payments are daily reminders of how close they are to losing it all. These families will put up with a lot of abuse in order to try to stick together through these times. As victims, many times it is necessary to turn a blind eye to abusive situations rather than finding themselves responsible for 50% of the debt load and destruction of farm business.

Because the farm business is operated from the farm home, the victim has to consider how he/she would carry on the farm financial operation if he/she had to leave the farm home because they feel threatened and could not return to their workplace.

This would mean that the victim would lose his/her job as well as losing their business and valued business relationships. If the victim has farm chores, whether paid or unpaid, he/she feels responsible for those also.

Investments through inheritance, time and money, along with commitments to bank loans, mortgages and local business people are considerations the victim must make also. If he/she is not clear about the division of assets in the event he/she were to leave the farm, the victim would likely not choose to leave. Farm women are beginning to link with other national organizations such as the National Women and the Law Organization forming an Ad Hoc Committee on Legal Rights for Farm Women on important issues such as Economic Security for Farm Women. One of the objective is to deliver workshops to farm women on important legal issues such as Matrimonial Property Law, Inheritance and Land Ownership. This training will assist farm women to make informed decisions.

If the victim felt that he/she would be blamed for the farm business failure by the spouse and extended families, the victim would also hesitate to report abuse and likely chose not to leave the farm. All these considerations are strong factors in not reporting abuse or leaving abusive situations.

Farm women point out that to protect the victim(s) and family during the peak of violent emotions, the abuser must be removed from the family home and confined for 24-48 hours. Peace bonds and restraining orders must be put on the abuser in order to ensure the victim(s) continued safety. Violations of the peace bond could result in fines payable to the victim and continued violations will result in increases of further fines. Also, that further consideration be given to awarding custody of the farm to the victim so that the farm business is not negatively impacted by family violence.

Fear for life takes on a different aspect in rural and farm communities. Distance to neighbors, distance for police response or any other support services, coupled with the fear of being rejected by the local community is a very definite reason why victims do not report family abuse.

Farm families sometimes witness abuse of animals or destruction of property because of a partner who has reached a high stress level and who does not have the proper coping techniques. This experience may be repeated quite frequently during a period of high stress levels, so that the farm family may be uncomfortable about the abuse, but not recognize it as a threat. On the other hand, it would make members of the family fear that they would not want to cross this individual in any way. Family members need to recognize this behavior as abuse.

Lack of knowledge about the symptoms of fear, such as, depression, guilt and inability to focus on work often leads to friends and family overlooking abusive situations. More information is needed on the symptoms of fear so that farm families can recognize this aspect of family violence in their lives.

Family is valued very highly in rural areas and this strong value has become part of their survival technique for generations. Where the family violence services are lacking in rural communities, the rural family attempts to supply the support service to family members in abusive crisis situations. Due to rural families breaking down more and more, this method of help becomes less effective. The rural family also has to have two wage earners. Grandmother/grandfather have to work outside the home and community in order to prepare for their own retirement needs. All these factors contribute to the break up of the family unit.

There is also denial of fear in farm families. This is partly due to the self-reliant nature of rural and farm people. "There seems to be a general fear in the community that if we admit that family violence occurs, we are also challenging the very idea of what family means - mainly love, safety and security." (42)

This fear is a factor in denial of the presence of family violence in rural areas. Even though the family may be having problems, a lot of rural and farm people still trust family to support them more than government services. Most of them have experienced hardships accessing government services, only to find those services fail to meet their real needs in the end. A complete understanding of the system from the time of reporting abuse to settlement in court needs to be conveyed to rural and farm families. There needs to be consistency in the law enforcement procedure and the court process in order for people to trust the system to help them.

Other areas of fear and anxiety that are common to all victims are fear of poverty, fear for their children's safety, fear generated by excuses and blame, fear of not being believed, fear of the ineffectiveness of the police and justice system to act quickly in order to protect them and family, and fear of not being able to pay a lawyer.

D. Recognizing Emotional Attachments on the Farm

Farmers are often bonded to the land, especially if it is part of the family farm. To farm people the land represents the ability to provide for oneself. The familiarity, the love of rural life, the privacy, the close-to-nature belief system and close ties to rural friends and neighbors are often valued much more than life in any other setting. Only risk to the life of the children would be greater than these emotional attachments in many cases.

Farm women have pointed out that many farm men will often stay in abusive situations with their parents or siblings because of emotional attachments to the land they have always worked. This sets the stage for various opportunities of family abuse between extended family members.

Love of the children, feeling responsible for providing security in the home, security in the extended family, security in stability of schooling and in community activities, along with security with friends are all factors that most parents value strongly. Rural and farm parents have the added factor of providing the security of rural and farm lifestyles which children value themselves and do not want to leave.

Farmers are also tied by the love of the farm animals, especially if they are responsible for their daily care, most importantly feeding and shelter. The animals are often thought of as "part of the family". This bond needs to be understood by service deliverers and the justice system when making judgments.

E. Traditional Male and Female Role Models on the Farm

Though farm women do not deny that the inappropriate teaching of these role models contributes greatly to the need for men to control the family, even through the use of physical force if necessary, some farm women do not believe that rural and farm people are unique in having patriarchal family structures. And furthermore, even if a farm family is patriarchal, it does not necessarily follow through that the patriarch controls by using force.

The influence of the patriarchal family system on the family farm should be examined within the agricultural industry to see what impact it has on maintaining or increasing cases of family violence. However, this is where careful consideration needs to be carried out so that stereotypes and generalizations do not cloud the analysis.

A patriarchal family allows for the input of all family members with the oldest son having the deciding voice. This family could lend itself to family abuse, but should not be labeled "the culprit" in the family violence cycle.

There are many types of families in Canadian society today. Not all family farms are patriarchal in present reality. There are matriarchal farm families -especially in the cases where widows own and run their own farms. There is a definite increase in farms being owned and operated by women and futurists predict a continued increase in this trend. There are democratic families where all family members are involved in the decision-making process as in the case of incorporated family farms. There are communal family farms where groups of families make decisions as in the case of kibbutz, Amish, or Mennonite communities.

On the other hand the authoritarian family is a family where the man makes all the decisions and where the wife and children are not supposed to make any objections. This is the type of family that is in the greatest danger of practicing family violence because it lacks respect for all the family members as equals. Care needs to be taken when referring to this family as "traditional" and confusing it with the "patriarchal" family.

Further discussion of the farm family and their decision-making processes will be discussed in detail in the Canadian Farm Women's Network position paper on "Defining the Family Farm". This is an example of how generalizations can confuse the issue of family violence on family farms.

It is in mainstream farm organizations and government bureaucracy that farm women meet the most resistance to being treated as equals on the family farm. For example, farm organizations and boards are still male dominated organizations with only one farm woman or no f