Safe visitation provides children in families experiencing family violence with a safe environment to visit with a non-custodial parent. Based on research that demonstrates the importance of children maintaining positive contact with both parents after they separate, safe visitation provides children a structured place and the necessary support to have safe, supervised visits with the parent.

The government provides more than $750,000 to seven safe visitation sites to deliver these services to families at risk of continued violence between parents. Safe visitation sites in Alberta communities are:

• Calgary  
• Edmonton  
• Fort McMurray
• Grande Prairie  
• Lethbridge   
• Red Deer  
• Whitecourt

Safe visitation services help children maintain relationships with both of their parents while addressing safety concerns for all family members. Pilot sites are also providing support to the parents, through coaching and parenting skill development.

Families are referred to the safe visitation pilot sites by Child and Family Services Authorities, in partnership with local justice programs and community-based family violence programs such as emergency women’s shelters and police.

The Family Violence Info Line 310-1818 helps Albertans reach out to individuals and families affected by family violence. Help is available anytime, toll-free provincewide, in more than 170 languages.