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Proof of reading and descriptive paragraphs on our references.

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By Isabella, Charlene, and Cody.

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Operations around Canada that are focused on emergencies, or familial violence are funded by the FVPP. They also provide community funding for projects.

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The Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) funds the operations of emergency shelters and transitional (second stage) housing to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people across Canada, including in the North and in urban centres. FVPP also provides funding for community-driven proposals for family violence prevention projects.

On this page

About the program

Shelters and transition homes that serve First Nations, Inuit, Métis, urban and Northern communities across Canada provide vital services to Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people facing violent situations.

The program also funds activities and key supports to help prevent future violence.

The program funds:

shelter and transitional (second stage) housing

daily operations

reimbursements to Alberta and Yukon First Nations access to off-reserve shelters

capacity building support through:

training forums

gatherings

development and distribution of resources and research

culturally-appropriate community-driven violence prevention activities such as:

public awareness campaigns

conferences

workshops

stress and anger management seminars

support groups

Métis engagement on assessing shelter needs and community violence prevention activities focused on Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+

The program supports activities that increase awareness of gender-based violence and provide families and communities with:

tools to address violence such as treatment and intervention

culturally sensitive services (Elder and traditional teachings)

awareness and self-development projects

Family violence activities of various scopes are funded each year to support Indigenous communities across Canada.

The program also provides core funding to the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence to act as a national coordinator by supporting Indigenous-led shelters and their staff through:

training forums

violence prevention activities

research and collaboration with key partners

For more information about budget investments to prevent family violence consult:

Who can apply?

For detailed information about who may apply for funding for different types of projects, consult:

Deadlines

There are 3 different application processes:

Shelters and transition homes

Funding is available to support shelters and transition homes for Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people across Canada, including in the North and in urban centres.

You can apply for funding at any time until December 2023. The review of applications will be ongoing and the selection of eligible applications will be conducted in phases twice a year at a minimum.

To find out more, visit:

Inuit shelters

You can also submit an application for Inuit-specific shelters. To find out more about the deadline to apply, visit:

Violence prevention activities

The 2021 to 2022 call for proposals for violence prevention activities will open shortly.

How to apply

Whether you are applying for shelters and transition housing or family violence prevention activities, you should consult:

Shelters and transition housing

For more information regarding the application process for shelters and transition housing, consult:

You can also submit an application for Inuit-specific shelters. To find out more about the application process, visit:

If you'd like to talk to someone about the shelters and transition housing initiative, contact the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Indigenous and Northern Housing Solutions specialists for your region.

Violence prevention activities on reserve

In some regions, First Nations regional boards are authorized by chiefs to administer violence prevention funds by collecting, reviewing and approving proposals for projects. The First Nations regional boards also take on a strategic visioning and coordinating role by targeting specific needs (such as an annual youth conference) in the area of family violence.

To find out more, please contact your ISC regional office.

ISC-funded shelters wishing to apply for violence prevention funding should contact their ISC regional office.

Violence prevention activities across Canada (proposal-based)

The 2021 to 2022 call for proposals will open shortly.

The 2019 to 2020 call for proposals is now closed. The deadline to submit a proposal was March 8, 2019.

For any questions relating to violence prevention activities nationally, send an email to ppvf-fvpp@sac-isc.gc.ca.

Related links

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The Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) funds the operations of emergency shelters and transitional (second stage) housing to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people across Canada, including in the North and in urban centres. FVPP also provides funding for community-driven proposals for family violence prevention projects.

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This organization aspires for children to feel valued and loved despite their circumstances and back story. They work on a wide scale across provinces.

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Canadian organization that supports adults who have suffered from childhood abuse.

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Help for Adult Victims Of Child Abuse - HAVOCA

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HAVOCA - Help for Adult Victims Of Child Abuse

HAVOCA is run by survivors for adult survivors of child abuse. We provide support, friendship and advice for any adult who's life has been affected by childhood abuse.

If this is the first time you have visited this site please feel free to browse around and explore our hundreds of useful pages about the road to recovery. HAVOCA's ethos believes that every single child abuse survivor has the ability to survive and lead a more fulfilling life.

Every Survivor has the right to become a Thriver.

HAVOCA was established in 2001 to provide support and direction to any adult who has experienced child abuse. This experience may be first hand, or as a loved one of a survivor, or as a support worker for the victims of child abuse. The HAVOCA resource provides a wealth of information online and at the same time allows people to connect through The HAVOCA Survivor Forums. In doing so HAVOCA provides direction and friendship to survivors worldwide.

Together, as a survivors' community, HAVOCA provides the medium to break the silence and help individuals recover from their trauma.

Survivors' Survey
Please help us to collect child abuse statistics so that we can support our growing database that informs, educates and provides insight into the challenging world of victim care.

Survey Results
This is a live survey; that means questionnaires are being completed all the time. To see the latest results follow this link. Approximately 5000 questionnaires have been completed so far.

Survivors' Network Map
Add your label to our map, we want to show the world how many survivors are impacted by childhood abuse and show other survivors that they aren't alone.

Find-a-therapist. HAVOCA recommends that child abuse survivors receive professional help.

Support Group. Support Groups and Organisations for child abuse survivors in your area.

Survivor Forum. There are over 3000 child abuse survivors on our forums who share and support each other.

About Us. HAVOCA has been supporting child abuse survivors since 2001!

HAVOCA's Blog. Our Blog is aimed at child abuse survivors and those who offer them support. Each article in the blog has been specially selected, written and editted to provide the maximum amount of guidance, support and advice in the relevant area. We also have a special section for Survivor's Letters and a Quiet Corner to show case poetry, quotes and a Survivor's Gallery.

Please support us so that we can continue to support child abuse survivors across the globe. Your donations help us to maintain our website and continue to promote HAVOCA, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
News Book Recommendations

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE? Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again. A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth. "I wrote this book because the oldest cliches remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it ...Words, just sometimes, really can set you free."
Reviews
"Maybe the most important book I've read this year" (SIMON MAYO)

"A life-saving book" (AMANDA CRAIG)

"Warm and engaging, and shot through with humour . . . a valuable contribution to the conversation" ( SUNDAY TIMES)

"Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light" (MICHAEL PALIN)

"Full of wisdoms and warmth" (NATHAN FILER)

"A tender, candid, inspiring book about depression" ( SUNDAY EXPRESS)

"Matt Haig is astounding" (STEPHEN FRY)

Average customer review:

Free to be Me: Change Your Story and Change For Life by Angelika Breukers

Angelika Breukers grew up in the late - 1950's when certain things were ` just not talked about'. She was a child who lived with secrets, unspeakable things that were kept in the dark. From the age of five she lived in fear, hopelessness and despair. She struggled through school and made her way into the word aged fourteen, feeling far from `good enough'. It is a story of how, against all odds, she learned to accept herself and her life. She learned that there always was hope, and that it is possible to `change for life' if you choose to. This is her first book and its creation represents a tremendous achievement, due in no small way to her strength of character and her determination in life that `this surely can't be it'.
Review
It is very easy reading and puts its message across in a very accessible way.

It might not get such a high rating from someone who likes to get their teeth into something more 'challenging', but for me its message is clear and easy to understand.

It's also easy to remember - while reading this book, I had to go into a situation that I found traumatic, and I was able to recall the advice in the book and put it into practice which helped enormously.

The book is neither patronising nor dictatorial - it is advice based on the author's own experiences. It is advice rather than 'rules' for life.

It was a pleasure to read, and I would highly recommend it to others.

Review:

Safety This website is linked to material which contains detailed information and possibly graphic accounts of various types of child abuse. These things could be triggers for some child abuse survivors of abuse and neglect. If you can handle this material, or if you are willing to accept the risk of a trigger response, you should proceed. If this is your first visit to the site we recommend you view it in a safe environment or with a friend. To read about your safety click here

Forums We have a huge online community which boasts over 3000 members. By taking part and joining in, you will start to feel less isolated and you will become part of a huge online support network. Our Forum has several sections and covers all types of abuse; Child Abuse Survivor Section, Survivors Live Chat, Site Updates and Notices, Survivors Sanctuary, Survivors Library and Resources, Online Courses/Workshops, Click here to join...

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Help for Adult Victims Of Child Abuse - HAVOCA - Help for Adult Victims Of Child Abuse - HAVOCA

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HAVOCA is run by survivors for adult survivors of child abuse. We provide support, friendship and advice for any adult who's life has been affected by childhood abuse. If this is the first time you have visited this site please feel free to browse around and explore our hundreds of useful pages about the road to recovery.

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1 in 6 is a agency that supports men and boys exposed to childhood abuse and sexual abuse. Based in the United States, but is such an important resources I wanted to add it. I believe Canada needs programs like this.

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Sexual Abuse & Assault of Boys & Men | Confidential Support for Men

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Sexual Abuse & Assault of Boys & Men | Confidential Support for Men

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If you're a man who has experienced sexual abuse or assault, you are not alone. We're here to support you in your path to a happier, healthier future.

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Robbyn Bennet converses about how trauma can effect the children and in turn create a cycle of abuse that carries on into adulthood.

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Violence -- a family tradition | Robbyn Peters Bennett | TEDxBellingham

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An organization that supports adults who have past experience with trauma or abuse within their childhoods.

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This month we discuss complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with Priory Hospital North London Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Liam Parsonage. We explore the links that this condition has to childhood trauma or abuse, and the importance of supporting adults who have developed mental health challenges due to these experiences.
Research has shown that children who experience early childhood trauma, abuse or neglect are more likely to go on to develop profound and long-lasting mental health problems in adulthood, such as 'complex PTSD'. This differs from 'PTSD' which is more typically associated with a single traumatic incident or set of traumatic events.

The risk of developing complex PTSD is greater if trauma or abuse is repetitive and prolonged, involves harm or abandonment by care givers and if it occurs at a developmentally vulnerable age such as early childhood or adolescence, which are critical periods of brain development.

Why does this happen?

We spoke to Dr Parsonage about the 'fight, flight or freeze response':

The amygdala, part of the limbic system, is the brain's 'smoke detector' and emotional memory centre. The amygdala is triggered if it senses any kind of threat or danger and causes the brain stem to react instinctively and activate the fight, flight or freeze response. This causes an increase in heart rate, breathing rate and muscle tension

The 'thinking part of the brain' (the neocortex), becomes less active and shuts down. At times of danger, we become overwhelmed by feelings and impulses and we don't think about or contextualise our experiences - we simply react to the danger rather than thinking about it

This evolutionary response to danger takes the fast route via the amygdala, rather than the longer thinking route via the cortex, which has aided our survival

After the danger has passed, the normal response is for the thinking brain to then react, regulate responses, plan, problem solve, and allow arousal levels to return to baseline

The amygdala is over-sensitive and the capacity of the thinking brain is reduced in individuals who have been exposed to trauma in childhood and develop complex PTSD

Memories have not been processed and fully integrated into autobiographical memory and they remain stuck in implicit (feeling) memory

Flashbacks and re-living of the trauma occur because the amygdala has kicked in and the hippocampus has gone 'offline' and is unable to contextualise the memory in the moment. Traumatic memories are therefore 're-experienced' rather than 'remembered'

The neurological systems that process emotions are significantly compromised in individuals who have experienced chronic childhood trauma:

Chronic stress reduces the size and functioning in the area of the brain that processes memory

The amygdala is overstimulated and is in constant overdrive

High levels of cortisol make it harder to learn and block memories forming

The brains of people with complex PTSD show an enhanced sensitivity to threat and are usually in a chronic state of 'red alert'

What are the symptoms of complex PTSD to look out for?

Trauma survivors can present with a wide range of problems and symptoms ranging from physical, psychological and maladaptive coping strategies and may report any of the following:

Re-experiencing or re-living unwanted memories as flashbacks or nightmares

Hyper-arousal: problems with sleep, irritability, anger, anxiety, hyper-alertness, exaggerated startle response

Hypo-arousal: feeling numb or cut off, feeling detached from others, dissociating, feeling flat or empty

Emotional dysregulation

Negative self-concept

Relationship difficulties

Avoiding thinking or talking about trauma related topics

Abuse of alcohol or abuse of substances to avoid and numb their feelings

Engaging in self-harm or having suicidal thoughts

When to consider the diagnosis of complex PTSD

People who have complex PTSD often present with co-morbid psychiatric conditions and patients will often not disclose that they have experienced a trauma in their childhood and therefore present with another mental health or physical health problem, relationship or behavioural problems.

It is also worthwhile considering complex PTSD when a patient presents with symptoms that don't fit the usual pattern of depression or anxiety or don't respond to the usual treatments.

Other conditions patients with complex PTSD might present with include:

Major depression

Anxiety disorders

Substance abuse disorders

Eating disorders

Psychosis

Dissociative disorders

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Chronic pain and other health problems

How can a GP help?

Build a trusting therapeutic relationship

Don't push to talk about the details of trauma as this can re-traumatise the patient and leave the patient feeling vulnerable and destabilised

Don't over-estimate the patient's capacity to tolerate emotions and encourage them to engage in treatment to develop skills to manage their intense emotions

Psycho-education regarding the effects of childhood trauma on the brain can help the patient understand why they feel such intense emotions

Normalise and give hope

Provide them with practical techniques to build emotional stability. These can include:

Psycho-education

Grounding techniques

Breathing strategies

Relaxation

Distraction

Mindfulness

Trigger awareness

Sleep hygiene

Understanding anger

Educate the patient on the neurobiology of trauma
It can be helpful to explain the neurobiology of trauma to patients to help them understand why they have such intense reactions to everyday experiences which don't affect others in the same way.
Tell them about the three complex sections of the brain

The brainstem - involved with instinctive responses, controlling bodily functions such as heart rate, and breathing

The limbic system - involved in non-verbal emotional experience, feelings and 'gut' memories, and traumatic memory

The neocortex - involved with reasoning, problem-solving, verbal expression, and memory for events and facts

Refer them to a specialist for further treatment
Most people who have complex PTSD will need specialist intervention to confirm the diagnosis, manage risk, formulate an appropriate treatment plan and gain access to talking therapies.

What are the best treatments for those with complex PTSD?
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Trauma-focused CBT is an evidenced-based, NICE recommended talking therapy which has been developed from CBT to specifically help people who have experienced trauma. The recommendation is 8 to 12 individual weekly sessions for an hour with the same therapist each week.
Eye movement desensitisation and re-processing (EMDR)
EMDR is another NICE recommended treatment for people who have experienced trauma and often re-live the events as nightmares and flashbacks.

EMDR involves recalling the traumatic event whilst making rhythmic eye movements similar to the eye movements we make whilst we sleep and are processing memories. This helps the brain to process the traumatic experiences and reduce the emotional content so that rather than re-living the experience, the experience becomes a memory, so that distressing symptoms associated with the traumatic event are reduced.
Five-day trauma programme
The five-day trauma programme is offered at Priory locations in the UK and is based on Pia Mellody's Post Induction Therapy (PIT) - a method that is widely used in the USA. The PIT approach utilises an eclectic mix of therapy and treatment models, bringing together elements of psychoanalysis, gestalt therapy (gestalt helps people to focus on their immediate thoughts, feelings and behaviours and to better understand the way they relate to others), family systems therapy, transactional analysis therapy and rational emotive therapy.

By using educational and experiential processes, the programme helps patients to identify and address their childhood trauma and family-of-origin issues. Once these issues are identified, patients are able to explore ways to deal with the emotions that accompany their past traumatic events, and how to resolve the resulting grief and distress.
Medication
Medications are not the key to treatment of complex PTSD but should be used to target specific symptoms, for example antidepressants for low mood, or mood stabilisers for mood instability.

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Supporting adults who have experienced trauma or abuse in childhood

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This month we discuss complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with Priory Hospital North London Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Liam Parsonage. We explore the links that this condition has to childhood trauma or abuse, and the importance of supporting adults who have developed mental health challenges due to these experiences.

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How Do Memories of Having Been Parented Relate to the Parenting-Experience of Fathers in Treatment for Intimate Partner Violence? A Phenomenological Analysis.

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Parenting Experience of Fathers who were abusive.

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Parenting Experience of Fathers who were abusive.

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Study of the perspective of the abuser.

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Tedtalk on how childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

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Tedtalk on how childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

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This Tedtalk illustrates the affects that childhood trauma has on a persons health over their lifetimes.

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How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris

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A study that focuses on the effects childhood trauma has on adults.

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Effects of Childhood Trauma on Hostility, Family Environment and

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A short Video that discusses the lasting affects that Childhood Trauma has on the brain

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Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council

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Child and Youth Maltreatment

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Big Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre ("Big Bear CYAC") is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information and adheres to legislated privacy requirements. Any personal information we collect is used for:

1. enrolling individuals with Family Advocate Services;

2. contacting individuals for services; and

3. ensuring a high standard of service to those individuals.

If at any time you no longer wish to be contacted by Big Bear CYAC or if you have any questions regarding the privacy of your personal information, please contact our Chief Privacy Officer:

Chief Privacy Officer Phone: 250.571.9995 Email: info@bigbearcyac.ca

Big Bear CYAC's Privacy Policy

Personal Information Protection Act

Introduction: On January 1, 2004, the Personal Information Protection Act ("PIPA") came into force. PIPA applies to all private sector organizations in British Columbia, including businesses, non-profit organizations and unions. PIPA contains rules designed to protect the privacy of personal information that is collected, used, and disclosed by organizations/businesses in the course of their activities.

Purpose: As indicated in section 2 of the Act, the purpose of PIPA is to:

"govern the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by organizations in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal information and the need of organizations to collect, use or disclose personal information for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances."

Responsibilities of Big Bear CYAC under PIPA: Under section 3 of the PIPA, Big Bear CYAC is subject to PIPA and in order to comply with the Act, Big Bear CYAC:

develop and follow policies and practices that are necessary for Big Bear CYAC to meet its obligations under this Act;

develop a process to respond to complaints that may arise from application of this Act; and

designate one or more individuals responsible for ensuring compliance with this Act.Freedom of Information versus Protection of Privacy: Big Bear CYAC is responsible for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information collected in the course of its business activities and, if requested, is responsible for responding to requests regarding the personal

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Big Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre ("Big Bear CYAC") is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information and adheres to legislated privacy requirements. Any personal information we collect is used for: enrolling individuals with Family Advocate Services; contacting individuals for services; and ensuring a high standard of service to those individuals.

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Offered through the Kamloops YMCA

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Violence Against Women Intervention and Support Services - Kamloops YMCA-YWCA

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Building Resilience and Reduction for children in domestic violence

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Intimate partner violence and its impact on children

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Statistics on Family Violence in Canada

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The Daily — Family Violence in Canada: A statistical profile, 2019

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Rates of police-reported family violence against children and youth, intimate partners, and seniors all rose in 2019. The overall rate of police-reported family violence increased for the third consecutive year, rising 13% over this period. This follows a long span of decline, with the rate falling…

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A shorter version of what children deal with when it comes to domestic violence.

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How Domestic Violence Impacts Children | Child Anxiety

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Perspectives on parent-child relationships