I appreciate that comment. Not only in my role as minister for the Status of Women previously, but throughout my whole life I've been involved in this issue, advocating for more awareness around it.
Our government has had an opportunity to bring a more holistic approach to the issue of family violence, whether it's child sexual abuse or intimate partner violence or honour violence. Family violence takes many forms, but the reality is that it is a public health issue. The consequences are far-reaching, both societally and also economically.
I mentioned the Justice Canada report that came out a year ago, which found that just in terms of intimate partner violence, the cost to society is $7.4 billion, and that's just for going to the emergency room with a broken arm or seeking psychological help. Let's remember that most women do not seek medical help, and even more so do not seek psychological help.
I would say that the cost is obviously much higher. We know that aboriginal women are suffering and experiencing violence at a much higher rate than non-aboriginal women—at least 3.5 times higher. They're much more vulnerable to becoming victims of family violence. That of course has profound financial and social impacts on them, their community, and their families.
Not only does it affect physical health; it affects mental health. It puts a huge strain on day-to-day personal activities, but also business activities. It leads to loss of work. All of that affects our communities and our economy, and it obviously has a huge impact on the public health care system.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has a clear mandate in this area, with responsibility for what is called the federal family violence initiative. That coordinates 15 different departments that have a role to play in any family violence. We are working right now to make sure that we're prioritizing all of this and are focusing our priorities in the right way.
I'm glad to say that the Canadian Institutes of Health Research is also now doing research in the area of family violence, with $8.5 million over five years to look at gender-based violence and family violence and its impacts.
So we all have a role to play. I have reached out to the provinces and territories, to the medical community, to physicians, to the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, asking all of the stakeholders what we can do together to advance awareness and prevention of family violence. I look forward to working with the committee on this issue and I look forward to the Public Health Agency coming forward with what I know will be some good opportunities to raise awareness on this issue.
You're right in saying that it affects everyone. It's one of those issues that is talked about a lot. It is finally not a private issue, but has become a public policy issue. We still don't do enough to coordinate across the country on this, and we look forward to doing that.