Family violence, child safety and kinship care.
When violence is part of a family's story, safety planning matters more than trying to manage the situation alone.
Part of our Trauma, Grief & Behaviour resource series. See the main Trauma, Grief & Behaviour guide for the wider topic and related resources. Following a guided route? Return to the Parent contact & family-safety route.
More help for the next part of this situation.
When a child discloses abuse
How to listen, report and protect the child without turning the disclosure into an interview.
Read: When a child discloses abuseUnderstanding Child Protection
What assessment, investigation and safety planning can look like in PEI.
Read: Understanding Child ProtectionYouth mental-health crisis
Where to turn if a child may be suicidal or self-harming.
Read: Youth mental-health crisisInformation reviewed September 2026. Program rules and services can change, so use the linked official source for current requirements.
Family violence can be part of why a child comes to live with relatives
A grandparent or other relative may step in because violence is happening between adults, because a parent is trying to leave an abusive relationship, or because a child's safety has become a concern. The caregiver can end up trying to protect the child while also worrying about their adult child.
Do not confront an abusive person if it increases the danger
Safety planning is more important than winning an argument or proving what happened. If an abusive person is threatening, stalking, intoxicated or unpredictable, get professional safety guidance rather than creating a confrontation around the child.
Children can be affected even when violence is not directed at them
Children who hear, see or live around family violence may experience fear, sleep problems, anxiety, aggression, withdrawal, school difficulties or a heightened need to control their surroundings. They may also love the abusive parent or worry about what will happen to them.
PEI Family Violence Prevention Services
PEI FVPS provides a 24/7 confidential support line, Island-wide outreach, safety planning, advocacy, support groups, youth services and emergency shelter through Anderson House. Anderson House serves women, trans and non-binary people and their children who need safety because of violence.
- PEI Family Violence Prevention Services
- Anderson House and Housing
- FVPS Crisis and Outreach Contacts
Victim Services can help with the justice system
PEI Victim Services can provide referrals, court preparation, help with victim impact statements, assistance under the Victims of Family Violence Act and coordination with other services.
Contact and exchanges may need structure
If parenting time or child exchanges create safety concerns, PEI has a Supervised Parenting Time and Exchange Program for qualifying cases referred through the justice system. Do not create an informal hand-off plan that contradicts an existing court or child-protection order.
Supervised Parenting Time and Exchange Program
Keep records safely
Save relevant court documents, protection orders, child-protection plans and factual records of serious incidents in a secure place. Do not store safety plans somewhere an abusive person can easily access them.
Talking with the child
- Make clear that violence is not the child's fault.
- Do not ask the child to spy, carry messages or choose sides.
- Give honest information that matches the child's age.
- Keep adult safety planning with adults.
- Seek trauma-informed professional support when needed.
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