Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention

The Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention was established in December 1995 with a mandate to:

  • coordinate the implementation of the provincial Family Violence Prevention Strategy;
  • ensure integrity of community participation is maintained;
  • ensure an evaluation component is in place;
  • develop a work plan; to promote the importance of resource allocations necessary for implementation of the strategy; and
  • communicate initiatives to ensure a high public profile for family violence prevention is maintained across the province.

Our Vision Statement

A society where all individuals are safe, respected and valued; where any form of violence is unacceptable; and where children, women and men have opportunities to reach their full potential and contribute to the overall well-being of families and communities.

Family Violence Statement

Family violence affects, or will affect, all people in Prince Edward Island.  Family violence is connected to abuse of power and control, and to injustice based on sex, race, age, class, sexual orientation, and physical or mental ability.  Individual history, family history, and current circumstances play a role in family violence.

Family violence is known by many names: child maltreatment, child abuse, incest, child exposure to domestic violence, intimate partner violence, spousal violence, woman abuse, domestic violence, sibling abuse, parent abuse, elder abuse, and abuse of older adults.

Family violence can affect anyone, from any demographic: cultural, national and ethnic origin, socio-economic status, education, gender, age and physical or mental ability.

Family violence can take many forms: harassment, verbal abuse, threats, financial abuse, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, neglect, damage to property, injury to pets, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and homicide.

Family violence can happen between: current and former intimate partners (married and unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, and dating partners); a legal guardian or parent and child; blood, marriage or adoptive relatives; and a live-in caregiver and care recipient.

Family violence hurts.  It can cause physical and psychological harm.  Family violence violates the victim's rights and freedoms.  Family violence harms the healthy development of children and youth.

Family violence is a public health issue, a criminal justice issue, and a human rights issue.  To address family violence, all of us in Prince Edward Island must work together and share our resources.

Our Strategy

Group image of Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention, 2020
Premier Dennis King and the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention 2023
The Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention supports Family Violence Prevention Week that is organized each year in May.

Committee Membership

Committee membership consists of community and government representatives to ensure diversity and collective responsibility. The following members have been appointed to serve five year terms beginning in 2019:

  • Chair, Member-at- large - Danya O'Malley
  • AccessAbility Supports, Social Development and Housing - Veronica Powell
  • Actions Femmes I.-P.-E. - Johanna Venturini
  • Adult Protection, Health PEI - Melissa MacAusland
  • Community Legal Information - Sarah Dennis
  • Community Mental Health and Addictions, Health PEI - Lorna Hutt
  • Crown Attorneys' Office, Justice and Public Safety - Jeff MacDonald
  • Interministerial Women's Secretariat - Melissa Munro-Bernard
  • Social Development and Housing - Kelly Peck
  • Early Childhood Development, Education and Lifelong Learning - Ann Hayes-MacKenzie
  • K to 12, Education and Lifelong Learning - Andrea Garland
  • East Prince Women's Information Centre - Andy Lou Somers
  • Labour & Industrial Relations / OHS, Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture - Patricia McPhail
  • Interministerial Women's Secretariat - Michelle Harris-Genge
  • PEERS Alliance - Josie Baker
  • PEI Aboriginal Women's Association of PEI - Matilda Ramjattan
  • PEI Immigration and Refugee Services Association - Carolyn Jenkins
  • PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women - Jane Ledwell
  • PEI Federation of PEI Municipalities - Dan MacAdam
  • PEI Seniors' Secretariat - Peter Holman
  • PEI Chiefs of Police Association - Chief Lewie Sutherland
  • PEI Family Violence Prevention Services - Gloria Dennis
  • PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre - Dr. Rachael Crowder
  • Primary Care, Health PEI - Bruce Davidson
  • Public Health, Health PEI - Stephanie Gordon
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Brent MacDonald
  • Skills PEI, Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture  - Penny Ramsay
  • Turning Point, Justice and Public Safety - Jo-Anne Hargrove
  • Victim Services, Justice and Public Safety - Jayelee Grady
  • Women's Institute of PEI - Marguerite Atchison

Resource Staff

  • Committee Resource Person - Jennifer Cairns-Burke, Provincial Manager Family Violence Prevention and Community Development