To enhance community capacity to foster a seamless continuum of services that prevents family, sexual and other interpersonal violence.

ACAV is a coordinating body whose clients are agencies, organizations, coalitions and service providers in the violence prevention sector and the greater community. ACAV does not provide or deliver direct service to clients. ACAV does not have a vested interest in a specific project or agenda; ACAV represents the community.

• Provides public education to raise awareness about violence.
• Works with their stakeholders to identify gaps in services.
• Acts as a catalyst to mobilize the community to address gaps in services.
• Shares research to promote best practices.
• Provides interdisciplinary professional development and training.
• Promotes coordination, collaboration and systemic change by providing a coordinating and networking role.
• Encourages community ownership of violence issues.
• Keeps the issue of violence on the public agenda by maintaining a focus on violence.

The Action Committee Against Violence (ACAV) was established by City Council in December 1991 based on the Mayor’s Task Force recommendations. During the June 1998 community consultation the overwhelming consensus of feedback from service providers was that ACAV had a significant impact on creating a coordinated response to violence that more effectively addresses the issues for the whole community. In 2005 ACAV created a strategic plan based on the feedback and input from the community.

ACAV developed the capacity to identify emerging needs in the community, and has led a co-ordinated response to those needs.

ACAV is a neutral organization and works towards developing the most effective and efficient service delivery model to reduce the impact of violence in Calgary

ACAV works in partnership with all stakeholders, both mainstream and traditionally marginalized groups

ACAV listens to diverse opinions with an open mind

ACAV is creative, flexible and innovative

ACAV creates safe, supportive environments so that all stakeholders can be heard

ACAV promotes a shared vision as we collaborate with our stakeholders