Family violence is the abuse of power within a family that threatens the safety and well-being of an individual. Family violence can include some or all of the following behaviours:

- Physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Spiritual abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Criminal harassment and stalking
- Neglect and bullying.
Alberta’s Protection Against Family Violence Act(PAFVA) protects against domestic abuse and violence. The law considers “family members” to include people who are related by blood, adoptions, and marriage or common-law. It includes those who are not married, but live together, and parents of children whether they live together or not.
Orders within PAFVA include Emergency Protection Orders and Queen’s Bench Protection Orders. These orders can help protect a victim from further abuse and contact with their abuser.
For further information read our Brighter Tomorrow booklet, see links below or contact our office.
If you are affected by family violence, or know of someone who is, the following resources may be of help to you:
For non-emergencies, call the Cochrane RCMP
359-1st Street East, Cochrane
Ph: 403-851-8000
2-1-1 Alberta
• 24-hour multilingual service.
• Information and referral specialists.
Ph: 211
Cochrane Family and Community Support Services
• Supports provided through FCSS help to encourage, strengthen, and stabilize family and community life.
• Provides support, information and referrals through the following programs: Supportive counselling and information sharing, access to basic needs, financial information and resource management, healthy relationships program, Home visitation program, legal resource centre, rural outreach program, and safe coach program.
209 Second Ave. W., Cochrane
Ph: 403-851-225
Calgary Legal Guidance
• Provides free legal assistance, information and advocacy to individuals experiencing financial hardship who need legal services and representation.
Ph: 403-234-9266
Alberta Human Services: Alberta Works
Alberta Works helps unemployed and low-income Albertans meet their basic needs and find jobs.
- Income Support: offers financial help to Albertans who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs
- Child Support Services: helps parents with limited income get child support agreements and court orders
- Health Benefits: provides coverage for applicants and/or their dependants
- Employment Services: helps unemployed people find and keep jobs
For general inquiries, call Alberta Supports Contact Centre
Ph: 1-877-644-9992
For after-hours emergency assistance (after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and weekends)
Ph: 1-866-644-5135
Alberta Supports Cochrane Location
213 – 1st S. W., 2nd Floor, Cochrane
Open Tuesday & Thursday 8:15-4:30
Alberta Works Centres (Calgary only):
10th and 10th
1021 – 10th Ave S.W., Calgary
Ph: 403-297-2094
Century Park Place (employment services only)
Fifth floor, 855 – 8th Ave S.W.
Ph: 403-297-6344
Fisher Park
100, 6712 Fisher St. S.E.
Ph: 403-297-2020
Marlborough Mall
1502, 515 Marlborough Way N.E.
Ph: 403-297-7570
One Executive Place
1816 Crowchild Trail N.W.
Ph: 403-297-7200
Radisson
525 – 28th St. S.E.
Ph: 403-297-1907
Calgary and Area Child and Family Services
• Assists with supports and services to children, youth, adults and families.
24-hour intervention services intake line:
Ph: 403-297-2995
General inquiries:
Ph: 403-297-6100
Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline:
Ph: 1-800-387-KIDS (5437)
Stoney Child and Family Services
Bearspaw, Chiniki, Wesley
Ph: 403-881-3900