In terms of a screening tool, I agree entirely. Actually the federal government, the Department of Justice and the CBA are working on exactly that and will shortly come out with a tool that will be recommended across the board.
I agree with my friends who talked about family violence being mostly against women. There is some against men, and it comes in different forms.
I would just add a couple of things to that. When you're funding things, there is no question survivors of abuse have to be funded for a wide variety of services, but from the perspective of the child—unbelievably maybe—they still want a relationship with both parents. As well, that abuser—I shouldn't say “he” but it's predominantly “he”—also needs to be counselled. There need to be funds for that, to make the family whole. It's very important.
I would just add one other thing in terms of the FDR—the other FDR—which is this: When I said we should add mediation and arbitration, I meant that it should be in accordance with Canadian law. What we shouldn't have are mediation and arbitration done by religious authorities of one stripe or another. That would perpetuate inequality and other problems. It should be in accordance with Canadian law. I should have said that before. I apologize.