Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS

History:: The prevention program has been in existence since the mid-seventies and over the past two years the program has been in the developmental stages of organizing a Family Violence Committee. This committee will look at the issues of family violence in the community and develop a strategy to address these issues.

Goals & Objectives:: To assist in the prevention of family violence by creating community awareness, working with service providers and providing supportive services to clients.
Traditional/Indigenous ways:: The program incorporates Aboriginal traditional medicines and ceremonies, the Medicine Wheel teachings, the Seven Stages of Life, and the Seven Sacred teachings.
Components of program:: The program strives to create awareness of family violence in the community and change people's mindset in the community from accepting violence as a reality to no longer tolerating violence as a "normal" way of living one's life. The program wants to empower women so that they have enough self-esteem to seek help if they are being abused. The coordinator searches for violence awareness/prevention programs to bring back to the community.
Services/How they work:: The program operates out of its facility.
Funding:: Funding provided by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

Involvement of Target Groups:: There is a Family Wellness Committee in Tobique that includes service providers, community members and it has invited Chief and Council to join in. The group carries out the identification of issues, the planning and decision making to address these issues, by utilizing the prevention program and partnering with other community service programs to deliver education and workshops to create community awareness and prevention of family violence.
Partners:: Sisters in Spirit; John Howard's Society; Canadian Red Cross;
Other relationships:: Elsipogtog, Burnt Church, and Tobique reserves; Residential School Survivors.

Measures of Success:: Success is measured by the number of participants involved in the workshops/presentations.
Achievements:: The coordinator of program has been able to sit on the Advisory Committee for Violence Against Aboriginal Women and effect policy change in NB.
Challenges:: Building partnerships with other service providers has been difficult. Getting representation with the Chief and Council has been a challenge.

Replication Advice:: The program is considered replicable. A challenge would be in having an ability to write proposals to bring in funds, because currently there are no designated program dollars in most community budgets for family violence. This is why programs have to be resourceful and look for the funds outside the community. Always do research for up to date information and services that other groups or organizations offer in the area of violence and abuse prevention (Workshops, Presentations, and Symposiums) and always look for potential partners who can share costs.
Resources:: Sufficient funding and staffing necessary to ensure program success.