Alberta's new family violence framework released in Calgary

The provincial government released a framework in Calgary Friday morning that will attempt to prevent family violence before it starts.

It's estimated the province has spent $600 million in the past five years for shelters, health and justice services connected to family violence.

The framework, called Family Violence Hurts Everyone, plans to takenew approaches to dealing with family violence like reaching out to people through non-traditional channels such assports groups or faith leaders.

One of the objectives focuses on reaching out to children and youth to help prevent problem students.

"When we bring the [Start Smart Stay Safe program] officers in there, what we find when we get into the homeis [the] root cause is domestic violence," said Chief Rick Hansonof the Calgary police.

The province says the framework was designed using the latest research and best practices on family violence and recognizes the need to involve all members of the community while changing attitudes and behaviours.

"Family violence strikes at the heart of our society," said Sandra Jansen, Alberta's associate minister of family and community safety, in a release.

"A person's home should be a place of warmth, safety and security."