1 in 6 Canadian mothers have been victims of domestic abuse: poll

As Mother’s Day approaches, a new poll reveals the disturbing levels of domestic violence that many Canadian moms endure.

According to the Angus Reid poll for Interval House, Canada’s first shelter for abused women, one in six Canadians (16 per cent) say their own mothers have been victims of domestic violence.

An even higher 36 per cent personally know a mother who has experienced abuse.

“Many women who experience violence are mothers. And when mothers are abused their children are also significantly impacted,” said Interval House’s Renee Weeks in a news release.

“Children who witness their mother’s abuse can experience learning challenges, behavioural and emotional issues and these long-term effects can extend into adulthood. We know that children who are exposed to violence can be more likely to grow up to become victims or abusers.”

The poll, an online survey which randomly sampled 1,007 Canadian adults, also found the almost all Canadians (94 per cent) don’t believe a woman should stay in an abusive relationship for the sake of children.

“It’s good to hear that Canadian’s support mothers leaving an abusive relationship,” Weeks added. “However, it’s also important to note that some mothers fear leaving because their abusive partner has threatened she’ll lose custody of her children, because she doesn’t have the financial means to support her family or because her partner threatens to kill her or the children if she ends the relationship.”

The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to education, age, gender and income.

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