This Report provides an overview of the nature and incidence of spousal abuse in Canada, summarizes the background leading up to the adoption of the pro-charging and prosecution policies, and reviews the research findings relating to the implementation and effect of the policies in Canada. The Report then provides an overview of and recommendations on related structures and models, as well as support programs. The Working Group's review of the pro-charging and prosecution policies for spousal abuse represents the first co-ordinated review conducted at the federal, provincial and territorial level (FPT).

The data cited within this report is largely from the 1990s and 2000s.