Merci, Monsieur le President. [Translation] There is a social norm that affects us all, if not in our own home then in the homes of our families and of our friends. It affects so many of us, mostly women, but not exclusively.

Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of just how complex the issue of family violence is. Even worse, the NWT has the second highest rate of family violence instances in the country. The situation here, in the NWT, is at epidemic proportions.

"Family violence" is any instance where a family member is threatening, intimidating, or using any method to illicit fear. Behaviours can include: physical abuse, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, forcible confinement, and sexual abuse.

It is our duty as legislators, as parents, and as family members to help foster an environment free of fear and free of violence, where the future generations of our children and grandchildren need not suffer in silence, nor live in an environment where abuses, when brought to light, are hushed up and repressed.

At three years into our term, this year's Family Violence Awareness Week is an appropriate time to reflect on what we have done as northern leaders to end the crisis of family violence in the Northwest Territories.

[Translation] Family Violence Awareness Week is an educational and cultural effort to ensure that the citizens of the Northwest Territories are able to identify abusive actions and have the necessary tools to combat and reduce incidents of family violence. Merci, Monsieur le President.