Projects funded by the Department of Justice Canada under the Family Violence Initiative (April 2010 - March 2011)

Title: The Need for New Guidelines and Educational Material for Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention

Applicant/Beneficiary

Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children, The University of Western Ontario

Description

The purpose of this project was to better understand the elements that make a prevention resource successful and to provide leadership to the future development of new resources that would align child sexual abuse awareness, prevention, disclosure, investigation and prosecution. The project was divided into two phases. The first phase resulted in the development of a discussion paper with a comparison of various public education and awareness resources and programs with a specific focus on how issues relating to disclosure could be managed without undermining a potential criminal proceeding. The second phase consisted of an Expert Think Tank, where invited Canadian experts in awareness/prevention, justice intervention and treatment of child abuse gathered for a two day event to discuss the development of new guidelines and educational materials.

Title: Connaissances et compréhension des causes de la violence familiale dans les communautés (MREF) et des conséquences légales liées à celles-ci

Applicant/Beneficiary

Mouvement ontarien des femmes immigrantes francophones (MOFIF)

Description

This two year project will address issues of family violence amongst French speaking racialized and ethnic minorities in Ontario. The three main objectives of the project are to identify the underlying causes of family violence in French speaking racial and ethnic minorities in a context of conjugal and parental violence, identify legal consequences of these types of family violence and develop a successful approach to validate and diffuse the results of the research.

Title: Family Violence: A Legal Information Toolkit for Service Providers

Applicant/Beneficiary

Éducaloi

Description

This multi-year project will produce a legal information toolkit for service providers working with individuals who have experienced family violence. The first phase of the project consists of a needs assessment to determine key topics to be addressed in the toolkit. The toolkit will then be developed in English and distributed to the official language minority community across Quebec. The toolkit will also be available on Éducaloi's website. During phase two of the project, service providers will be invited to participate, either in person or via videoconference, in legal information workshops that will take place in Montreal and more remote English speaking communities across the province.

Title: 2010 Eeyou Istchee Family Violence Symposium

Applicant/Beneficiary

Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association

Description

The 2010 Eeyou Istchee Family Violence Symposium was held in Chisasibi, Quebec from November 16 to 18, 2010. The Symposium was designed to provide an intensive forum for discussion of issues related to family violence and its impact on the people of Eeyou Istchee. The Symposium sought to achieve six key objectives: raise awareness of family violence issues; understand the causes and impacts; discuss and debate solutions; develop an action plan for change; demonstrate Cree Nation leadership on family violence reduction; and mobilize a variety of stakeholders to improve responses to family violence and enhance prevention/intervention efforts. To ensure the broadest possible reach and impact for the Symposium, each Cree Nation community was invited to select delegates representing a cross section of stakeholders including community leadership, front line personnel, and elders or other persons of influence. Simultaneous translation (English/Cree/French) was offered. The event featured the participation of over 20 speakers who discussed a wide array of issues ranging from historical trauma, restorative justice, family violence prevention, family healing and the role of culture in repairing harms caused by family violence. The final day included the opportunity for resolutions to be tabled by the delegation for consideration. The project was co-funded with Health Canada's Brighter Futures and Building Healthy Communities Program.

Title: Early Identification for Refugees and Immigrants affected by Family Violence

Applicant/Beneficiary

Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration

Description

The focus of this project was to study how culture and migration have an impact on the individual and their relationships within the family and larger community. The objective was to develop ways to identify risk factors associated with domestic violence including trauma related reactions. The project involved workshops within the London, Ontario area that brought together key stakeholders in the criminal justice, social service and education systems and members of the community. A culturally relevant manual that includes a Checklist Sheet is being developed, directed to mainstream Canadian social and justice service providers to improve their capacity to respond to the varied needs of families from conflict zones.

Title: Using PLEI to help build a BC Coalition to End Violence Against Women

Applicant/Beneficiary

Justice Society of British Columbia

Description

Building on the work undertaken as part of the "We Can All End Violence" campaign in the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia, this project expanded the campaign to other areas of the province, in particular Aboriginal and rural communities. It promoted an innovative model of integrated PLEI and service delivery with a focus on developing partnerships and coalitions with community groups.

Title: Identifying Criminal and Civil (Family) Justice System Interventions to Prevent Intimate Partner Homicide

Applicant/Beneficiary

York University, LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence & Conflict Resolution

Description

This is a multi-year research project to examine why suicidal perpetrators often kill their partners even when there is no history of violence. This knowledge will be utilized to develop a risk-assessment management tool to identify when victims are at increased risk of serious violence and homicide. The project has three major objectives: identifying risk markers for attempted suicide/femicide suicide; understanding the dynamics underlying these harmful outcomes; and promoting the safety and welfare of estranged intimate partners (and their children) before, during and after their participation in separation or divorce proceedings.

Title: Safe Women, Accountable Men

Applicant/Beneficiary

Northern John Howard Society of British Columbia

Description

The project consists of three interrelated parts connected to one another by a common thread: ensuring increased safety of female victims or alleged victims of spousal abuse, increasing the accountability of alleged or self identified male abusers, and promoting positive change in these men's attitude towards women. In achieving this objective, the Northern John Howard Society of BC has been providing accommodation with rehabilitative support programs for men who have just been charged with violent crimes against their spouses. The organization has also offered community education programs aimed at changing the current culture of male dominance and violence against women, to one in which men are involved in creating a culture of mutual respect and non violence.

Title: A Dialogue on Family Violence in Culturally Diverse Communities

Applicant/Beneficiary

Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

Description

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police in collaboration with the Coalition on Community Safety Health and Well-being held a multi-disciplinary national consultation on family violence in Toronto from March 6 to 8, 2011. The conference, "A Dialogue on Family Violence in Culturally Diverse Communities: Practical Approaches to Prevention and Response" addressed new and emerging manifestations of family violence across the lifespan in culturally diverse communities as identified by police, social services sectors and communities themselves. Participants from the justice, public health, education, immigration and victim services sectors as well as representatives from culturally-diverse communities and all levels of government explored ways to support more effective, prevention, intervention and responses.

Title: Sturgeon Region Family Violence Prevention Program

Applicant/Beneficiary

Victim Services Unit Sturgeon Region

Description

The project provided assistance to victims of family violence from the rural community of Morinville, Alberta by offering free facilitated educational sessions addressing family violence risk factors. The sessions were also designed to teach participants about the cycle of violence, anger acceleration patterns, communication techniques, parenting techniques and how family violence affects children. In addition, the program provided a court support worker to assist victims of family violence as they work their way through the criminal justice system. The court support worker provided victims with information on the justice system, facilitated the needs of witnesses with disabilities, and arranged for interpreters for victims/witnesses with language barriers.

Title: Sken:nen A'onsonton Family Program

Applicant/Beneficiary

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake

Description

The purpose of the project was to increase awareness of family violence issues within the Mohawk Community. This was achieved through information sessions aimed at enhancing knowledge of family violence and increasing access to justice for victims of family violence. The program used culturally relevant materials and local media outlets (radio, local cable, etc.) to educate the community on family violence and promote alternative resolution services offered by the Sken:nen A'onsonton.

Title: Information for Victims of Family Violence (2^nd Edition)

Applicant/Beneficiary

Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland

Description

The purpose of the project was to reprint the English version of the publication entitled "Information for Victims of Violence (2^nd Edition)."

Title: Addressing the Needs of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors (Phase II)

Applicant/Beneficiary

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

Description

This is a multi-year project to provide culturally appropriate resources to address the complex issue of child sexual abuse. The resources include: two DVD sets entitled "The Hidden Face" (the first addresses the impacts of sexual abuse on children and the second examines adult survivors of child sexual abuse); two guidebooks specific to each DVD; a four day training workshop manual to assist front line workers; and a communications strategy (involving television and radio public service announcements, posters, Internet social networking, high profile spokespersons, school outreach and community events). An evaluation will be conducted to assess the success of the project products.

Title: Breaking Intergenerational Cycles of Violence and Abuse

Applicant/Beneficiary

Justice Education Society of British Columbia

Description

The project activities involved consultation with Aboriginal communities in order to understand and develop a better approach to address the issues of violence and abuse within the community. The adult workshop "We Can All End Violence against Women" was then revised to include resources to address intergenerational violence and abuse in Aboriginal communities and a lesson plan for use in community schools.

Title: Resource Development for Walking the Prevention Circle

Applicant/Beneficiary

The Canadian Red Cross Society

Description

This project involved creating new resources to expand the reach of existing prevention education tools. The project aimed to promote safe environments to ensure the long term capacity for the prevention of violence and abuse in Aboriginal communities. The project had three components: revising Walking the Prevention Circle to reflect Inuit history and content; adapting it to an on line course; and translating it into French.

Title: Neighbours, Friends and Families Strategic Workshop

Applicant/Beneficiary

Cumberland Interagency Committee on Family Violence

Description

The Cumberland Interagency Committee on Family Violence and the RCMP hosted a two day workshop for service providers from across Nova Scotia to explore the best way to adapt and implement the educational program "Neighbours, Friends and Families" in Nova Scotia, particularly in Mi'kMaw Bands and reserves. This campaign will raise awareness of the signs of women abuse so people who are close to an at-risk woman or an abusive man can help. The workshop focused on how the educational program was successfully developed and implemented in Ontario and how it can be realistically sustained in Nova Scotia.

Title: Needs assessment for the development of a culturally appropriate addictions treatment program

Applicant/Beneficiary

Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope

Description

This project involved conducting a survey of the ten First Nations communities in the Rainy River District in order to complete a needs assessment for addiction treatment services. It also involved conducting public awareness information sessions in each of the communities on the importance of breaking intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse. Feedback provided to Band Councils provides a deeper understanding of the issues facing the communities and allowed them to take appropriate action.

Title: Saskatchewan Protection Order / Notification Service to support victims and police

Applicant/Beneficiary

Saskatchewan Department of Justice, Policy, Planning and Evaluation Branch

Description

The project explored the feasibility of developing and implementing a protection order registry in Saskatchewan. A Saskatchewan Protection Order / Notification Service would compile and store copies of all civil and criminal protection orders issued in Saskatchewan in a confidential database. The goal is to contribute to the reduction of violence against women, vulnerable adults, youth and children through the support of the enforcement of civil and criminal protection orders. The police, Victims Services and other law enforcement services will have immediate access to the database and to specific information on conditions contained in the protection orders in order to ensure the safety and protection of victims.

Title: Gathering Voices

Applicant/Beneficiary

Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women

Description

The project involved developing a culturally grounded approach to collaboration and knowledge sharing to prevent and address domestic violence in Nova Scotia's Aboriginal communities. It included hosting a culturally respectful workshop to establish partnerships among government agencies and organizations working to address domestic violence in Aboriginal communities; introducing Nova Scotia's action plan with new methodologies to identify patterns associated with domestic violence events and developing a communication strategy to connect the action plan with Aboriginal communities.

Title: Family Violence Prevention Initiative

Applicant/Beneficiary

Elsipogtog First Nation Violence and Abuse Prevention Committee

Description

The goal of this project is to break the intergenerational cycles of sexual abuse and incest by producing household anti violence and abuse campaign materials that would teach community members of Elsipogtog the importance of honouring women, children and the family structure when cultivating healthy relationships. It included the development of a Sexual Abuse and Incest Disclosures Protocol Manual to address the high number of sexual abuse and incest disclosures in the community of Elsipogtog and a Disclosures Care Kit to help victims and their families through sexual abuse or incest disclosure by directing them to necessary support and services within the community.

Title: Burying Our Weapons - Campaign of Hope

Applicant/Beneficiary

Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services

Description

The project developed a culturally appropriate weekly planner for the 2012 calendar year to address the high levels of domestic violence in the Six Nations reserve. The weekly planner illustrates family violence awareness information with a focus on the message that violence and abuse are not part of traditional behaviour in Aboriginal communities. It also emphasizes the need to break intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse.

Title: The Right To Be Safe - Woman Safety Resource Guide

Applicant/Beneficiary

The Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia

Description

The purpose of the project was to update the resource booklet "Trust Your Instincts" with the objective of providing contact information and community resources available primarily for women in Aboriginal communities. The guide profiles a wide range of information about safety concerns related to violence against women, elder abuse, general women's safety issues and how to deal with bullying. It showcases "success stories" of individuals and families who have overcome violent relationships or anger issues and offers recommendations on being safe.

Title: Understanding and Responding to Victimization - Survivor's Perspectives

Applicant/Beneficiary

Anishinabek Police Service

Description

The Anishinabek Police Service organized a one day training in March 2011 that addressed historical victimization in Aboriginal communities, developed strategies for early intervention and provided educational opportunities for police, justice sector participants and community partners. The objective was to improve police response and crime prevention strategies and increase awareness of the risks associated with victimization.

Title: Flowers for Nitanis (My daughter)

Applicant/Beneficiary

Aboriginal Arts Council of Alberta

Description

This project encompassed a two week public event and an Alberta wide awareness campaign. The public event was held at Edmonton City Hall in March 2011. Nitanis means "my daughter" and the event represented Aboriginal women who have died or disappeared in recent years. The project also involved developing and distributing culturally relevant awareness materials addressing intergenerational violence and abuse within Aboriginal communities to draw attention to women and girls at risk.

Title: MissingKids.ca: Building relationships with Aboriginal communities

Applicant/Beneficiary

Canadian Centre for Child Protection Inc.

Description

This targeted public awareness campaign was designed to provide Aboriginal communities with culturally appropriate awareness materials about MissingKids.ca. The website was launched in March 2011, to provide a vital link and informational portal to parents of missing kids, as well as an investigative aid to law enforcement agencies across Canada. The campaign will increase the visibility of MissingKids.ca and ensure that MissingKids.ca is recognized as an available resource within Aboriginal communities.

Title: Medicine Bear Project

Applicant/Beneficiary

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

Description

The "Medicine Bear Project" was a pilot project aimed at breaking the cycle of violence in Aboriginal communities by creating a system for mobilizing awareness, community connection and safety plan development for Aboriginal youth and women highly vulnerable to stranger and/or partner violence. It created a culturally recognizable symbol that will increase awareness, connect with vulnerable youth and women and mobilize Aboriginal communities affected by violence issues. The organization hosted community based workshops that provided a forum for family members of murdered and missing women to voice and share their experiences with vulnerable youth and women at risk of violence. Each workshop participant was provided with the opportunity to create and develop an individualized safety and preventive action plan.

Title: Aboriginal Missing and Murdered Women Awareness Conference

Applicant/Beneficiary

Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

Description

A two day conference was held in Toronto on from March 2 to 3, 2011 designed to facilitate discussions on building a working relationship between Aboriginal organizations from the Greater Toronto Area and the Toronto Police Service in order to address the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The conference activities featured awareness workshops that provided participants with knowledge and skills needed to prevent future cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The implementation of a shared Web site link in order to report cases of missing Aboriginal women was also discussed.