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Family Violence in Aboriginal Communities
This edition of the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence (NCFV) E-bulletin focuses on family violence in the Aboriginal communities. In Canada, rates of family violence and abuse are higher for Aboriginal peoples. For example, in the 2004 General Social Survey, Aboriginal people were three times more likely to report being victims of spousal violence than were non-Aboriginal people (21% versus 7%). This month’s E-bulletin highlights current information and culturally appropriate resources to better understand and address family violence as it affects Aboriginal individuals, families and communities.
The NCFV E-bulletin is a quarterly newsletter for those interested in family violence prevention. It is produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), on behalf of the Family Violence Initiative (FVI) of the Government of Canada.
We want to hear from you – please send your comments and feedback to our editor at: ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
Sexual Assault and Family Violence in the Territories
Part of preventing family violence in Aboriginal communities involves developing a better understanding of the causes of the violence. To this end, the Department of Justice Canada recently released a report, Understanding Family Violence and Sexual Assault in the Territories, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, which provides evidence of the relationship between being accused of an offence and having a history of abuse. This research was based on an in-depth review of a sample of Crown Prosecutor files (dated January 1999 to December 2004).
More specifically, the report indicates that:
- The majority (93%) of the territorial accused were First Nations, Métis or Inuit; 98% of those accused of a sexual assault offence and 87% of those accused of family violence were male;
- Approximately half (52%) of those accused of a sexual assault charge and 69% of those involved in family violence incidents were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the offence;
- The majority of victims of family violence reported an injury; 67% reported a minor injury and 17% reported a major one;
- Other effects reported, through Victim Impact Statements, included inability to sleep, feelings of fear, disgust, shame and anger; and
- About three-quarters (77%) of those accused of a family violence offence and just over two-thirds (66%) of those accused of a sexual offence had suffered at least one form of abuse in their personal history.
The author argues that it is important to understand this history of abuse (and connections to the socioeconomic outcomes of colonization) to break the cycle of family violence in Aboriginal families and communities. For more information about the research, please go to: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/rs/rep-rap/2008/rr08_1/index.html
Knowledge Exchange Workshop - Successful Approaches for the Prevention of Aboriginal Family Violence
On February 23 and 24, 2009, the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Family Violence Prevention Unit hosted a two-day workshop on successful approaches for the prevention of family violence in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
The knowledge exchange workshop brought together 40 participants, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis representatives from national, regional and community organizations, health professionals, researchers, and government officials involved in policy and program development. The purpose of the workshop was to support sharing of information and knowledge about proven and promising approaches to prevent the occurrence and reoccurrence of family violence and to reduce its harmful impacts and consequences.
Participants shared experiences, insights and expertise on a range of approaches and initiatives to address family violence in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Workshop presentations described current and emerging programs and practices and prompted rich discussions about the complex and multi-dimensional nature of family violence prevention.
A number of best practices were discussed and supported by participants, including building on community strength and resilience, supporting community ownership, facilitating a comprehensive community approach and giving recognition to both traditional and formal community support systems. A range of activities were also discussed including raising awareness, establishing partnerships, delivering information in culturally sensitive ways, developing tools for front-line workers, meeting training needs and facilitating peer support. Strategies to denormalize violent behaviours and to place the person with the lived experience at the centre were seen as very important. As well, participants identified emerging issues such as isolation and trends such as ‘healing’ fatigue as matters that need further examination.
The workshop final report will be available from the NCFV in English and French in the coming weeks. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact the NCFV at: ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
The NCFV offers over 130 publications, including overview papers, reports, discussion papers and handbooks on family violence issues. To preview our most recent publications, please see our What's New page.
NCFV publications are available free of charge, in hard copy or online, in English and French and in alternative formats. To order, please visit our Web site or contact us.
New in the NCFV:
Aboriginal Women and Family Violence
This report is a condensed version of a research report, prepared by the Ipsos-Reid research firm for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, on the attitudes and opinions of Aboriginal women, and the professionals who work with them, on intimate partner violence against women. It includes a discussion of the causes and consequences of male violence against women in Aboriginal communities, and provides sources of support, resource gaps and recommendations. The report is intended, primarily, for organizations providing assistance to Aboriginal women who have experienced violence.
Breaking the Links Between Poverty and Violence Against Women
This updated Resource Guide was created to support the efforts of women's groups, community organizations and service agencies to support low-income women experiencing violence. It includes a discussion, with concrete examples, of different types of strategies and initiatives that exist to support women dealing with poverty and violence; a list of the common approaches that guide this work; a series of relevant fact sheets/statistical summaries; and a list of recommended resources.
- Child Maltreatment and Alcohol
- Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol
- Elder Abuse and Alcohol
- Youth Violence and Alcohol
- Up Against A Wall - Coping with Becoming a Teen - When You Have Been Maltreated as a Child
- Abuse is Wrong
- Directory of Services for Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
RCMP Crime Prevention Publications:
- Dating Violence – Say NO!
- The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children – Where does it hurt?
- Criminal Harassment: Stalking – It’s NOT Love
- Spousal and Partner Abuse – It can be stopped
The NCFV provides an extensive library reference collection, housed in the Health Canada Departmental Library. The following books may be borrowed through an interlibrary loan through your local public, academic or institutional library:
Resources on Aboriginal Family Violence:
Aboriginal domestic violence in Canada,
by Phil Lane, Judie Bopp & Michael Bopp; Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning (Alberta).
Ottawa: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2003, 118 p.
Call no.: ncfv/E98.W82/L266/2003
Available: www.ahf.ca/publications/research-series
© Aboriginal Healing Foundation. Non-commercial reproduction of this document is, however, encouraged.
Aboriginal people, resilience and the residential school legacy,
by Madeleine Dion Stout & Gregory D. Kipling; Aboriginal Healing Foundation (Canada).
Ottawa: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2003, 63 p.
Available: www.ahf.ca/publications/research-series
© Aboriginal Healing Foundation. Non-commercial reproduction of this document is, however, encouraged.
Aboriginal policy research.
Vols. 1-2, setting the agenda for change.
Vol. 3-5, Moving forward, making a difference.
by Jerry Patrick White, Paul S. Maxim, & Daniel Beavon.
Toronto: Thompson Educational, 2004-2007
Call no.: E78.C2/A154ag/2004-2007
Publisher's description: www.thompsonbooks.com/aboriginal_studies/
Aboriginal women and family violence: Final report,
by Ipsos-Reid
Ottawa: Indian and Northen Affairs Canada, 2006, 60 p.
Available: http://nacafv.ca/report/family_violence_report.pdf
Between colliding worlds: the ambiguous existence of government agencies for aboriginal and women's policy,
by Jonathon Malloy.
Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2003, 217 p.
Call no.: ncfv/JL86.P64/B255/2003
Publisher's description: www.utppublishing.com/pubstore/merchant.ihtml?pid=7986&step=4
Biidaaban: the Mnjikaning community healing model,
by Joe Couture & Ruth Couture
Ottawa : Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Canada, 2003, 119 p.
Available: www.publicsafety.gc.ca/res/cor/apc/_fl/bii-mod-eng.pdf
Child maltreatment investigations among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families in Canada,
by Cindy Blackstock, Nico Trocmé, & Marlyn Bennett
Published in: Violence Against Women 10, 8 (2004): 901-916,
Publisher's description: http://vaw.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/10/8/901
Conquest: sexual violence and American Indian genocide,
by Andrea Smith.
Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2005, 245 p.
Call no.: ncfv/E98.W8/S642/2005
Publisher's description: www.southendpress.org/2005/items/Conquest
An evaluation of the Mamowichihitowin Community Wellness Program,
by Monica Pauls.
Ottawa: Public Safety Canada, 2007, 60 p.
Available: www.publicsafety.gc.ca/res/cor/apc/_fl/apc26c-eng.pdf
or www.publicsafety.gc.ca/res/cor/apc/mamowichihitowin-eval-eng.aspx
© Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family. "If more than one copy is required,
please feel free to photocopy any or all of this report"
Family violence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
by Fadwa Al-Yaman, Mieke Van Doeland, & Michelle Wallis: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2006, 154 p.
Available: www.aihw.gov.au/publications/ihw/fvaatsip/fvaatsip.pdf
or www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10372
© Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2006 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as
permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Finding my talk: how fourteen Canadian native women reclaimed their lives after residential school,
by Agnes Grant.
Calgary: Fifth House, 2004, 212 p.
Call no.: ncfv/E96.5/G761/2004
Publisher's description: http://www.fitzhenry.ca/detail.aspx?ID=9428
First Nation Children Seen at the CAS of London and Middlesex,
by Debbie Chiodo, Alan Winfield Leschied, Paul C. Whitehead, & Dermot Hurley.
London: University of Western Ontario, 2003, 6 p.
Available: http://www.edu.uwo.ca/CAS/pdf/Supplemental%20Report%20Two%20Native.pdf
The healing journey (Kit); Family violence prevention in aboriginal communities,
by Gignoo Transition House Inc.; Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick Fredericton : The Healing Journey, 2006
Call no.: ncfv/E78.C2/H435/2006
Available: http://www.thehealingjourney.ca
Copyright © 2006 The Healing Journey. All rights reserved.
Historic trauma and Aboriginal healing,
by Cynthia C. Wesley-Esquimaux, Magdalena Smolewski.
Ottawa: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2004, 110 p.
Available: http://www.ahf.ca/publications/research-series
Unauthorized use of the name “Aboriginal Healing Foundation” and of the Foundation’s logo is prohibited. Non-commercial reproduction of this document is, however, encouraged.
Indian residential school abuse claims: a lawyer's guide to the adjudicative process,
by Ken R. Halvorson.
Toronto: Thomson Carswell, 2005, 262 p.
Call no.: ncfv/KE1312/H197/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.carswell.com/description.asp?docid=4041
Indian Residential Schools Mental Health Support Program : program framework,
by Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC). Indian Residential
Ottawa: Health Canada, Indian Residential Schools Mental Health Support Program, 2005, 14 p.
Call no.: RC451.5.I5/I39/2005
Jurisdiction and funding models for Aboriginal child and family service agencies (CECW information sheet no. 30),
by Pamela Gough, Cindy Blackstock, & Nicholas C.Bala.
Toronto: University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work; Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare,
2005, 8 p.
Available: http://dev.cecw-cepb.ca/files/file/en/JurisdictionandFunding30E.pdf
© Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare. Centre-generated material may be reproduced for
non-commercial purposes only, provided the authors and the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare are acknowledged as the source on all copies.
Just ask us: a conversation with First Nations teenage moms,
by Sylvia Olsen.
Winlaw, BC: Sono Nis Press, 2005, 165 p.
Call no.: ncfv/HQ759.4/O52/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.sononis.com/book118.stm
Justice as healing: indigenous ways,
by Wanda D. McCaslin.
Saskatoon: Native Law Centre of Canada, 2005, 458 p.
Call no.: ncfv/E98.C87/J96/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.usask.ca/nativelaw/publications/jah_iw/
Morningstar: a warror's spirit.
by Morningstar Mercredi.
Regina, SK: Coteau Books, 2006, 181 p.
Call no: ncfv/E99.T56/M47/2006
Publisher's description: http://coteaubooks.com/index.php?p=Books&listingid=91
Pathways to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in care (CECW information sheet no. 23),
by Pamela Gough, Nico Trocmé, Ivan Brown, Della Knoke, & Cindy Blackstock.
Toronto: University of Toronto; Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare, 2005, 3 p
Available: http://www.cecw-cepb.ca/sites/default/files/publications/en/AboriginalChildren23E.pdf
© Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare. Centre-generated material may be reproduced for
non-commercial purposes only, provided the authors and the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare are acknowledged as the source on all copies.
Protecting aboriginal children,
by Christopher Walmsley.
Vancouver: UBC Press, 2005, 192 p.
Call no.: ncfv/E98.C5/W216/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.ubcpress.ca/search/title_book.asp?BookID=4452
Raven's children II: aboriginal youth health in B.C.,
by K.A. van der Woerd, B.L. Dixon, T. McDiarmid, M. Chittenden, A. Murphy; & the McCreary
Centre Society (British Columbia).
Vancouver, B.C.: McCreary Centre Society, 2005, 53 p
CN: ncfv/E98.Y68/M337/2005
http://www.mcs.bc.ca/pdf/Ravens_children_2-web.pdf
© McCreary Centre Society, 2005
Reconciliation in child welfare: touchstones of hope for indigenous children, youth,
and families,
by Cindy Blackstock & Terry Cross.
Ottawa: First Nations Child & Family Caring Society; Portland, OR: National Indian Child Welfare Association, 2006, 12 p.
Available: http://www.reconciliationmovement.org/docs/Touchstones_of_Hope.pdf or http://www.reconciliationmovement.org/resources/publications.html
"Reconciliation in Child Welfare: Touchstones of Hope for Indigenous children, youth and families is intended for international use, and may be printed electronically or copied for educational, service, or research purposes without consent for the authors. All other uses of this document requires written permission from Cindy Blackstock at First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada.
Research as resistance: critical, indigenous, & anti-oppressive approaches,
Leslie Brown & Susan Strega.
Toronto, ON: Canadian Scholars Press, 2005, 303 p.
Call no. ncfv/H62.R42/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.cspi.org/motion.asp?siteid=100366&lgid=1&menuid=5376&prodid=116625&cat=9869
Surviving in the hour of darkness: the health and wellness of women of colour and
indigenous women,
G. Sophie Harding.
Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2005, 314 p.
Call no.: nfcv/RA564.86/S963/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.uofcpress.com/surviving-hour-darkness-health-and-wellness-women-colour-and-indigenous-women
Violence in the family: social work readings and research from Northern and rural Canada,
edited by Keith Brownlee & John R. Graham.
Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press, 2005, 183 p.
Call no.: ncfv/HV6626.23/.C2/V795/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.cspi.org/motion.asp?siteid=100366&lgid=1&menuid=5376&prodid=116632&cat=9869
Violence prevention toolkit (NWAC Youth Council),
by the Native Women's Association of Canada.
Ohsweken, ON: Native Women's Association of Canada, 2007
Call no.: ncfv/E98.Y68/V795/2007
http://www.nwac-hq.org/en/vpk.html
© Native Women's Association of Canada.
Will the circle be unbroken? Aboriginal communities, restorative justice and the challenge
of conflict and change,
by E. Jane Dickon-Gilmore & Carol La Prairie.
Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2005, 268 p.
Call no.: ncfv/E78.C2/D554/2005
Publisher's description: http://www.utppublishing.com/pubstore/merchant.ihtml?pid=8300&step=4
Beaten down: a history of interpersonal violence in the West,
by David Peterson Del Mar.
Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2002, 310 p.
Call no.: ncfv/HM886/359/2002
Publisher's description: http://www.washington.edu/uwpress/search/books/DELBEA.html
Break the silence on domestic violence,
by the Council of Europe.
Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2008, 64 p.
Call no.: HV6626/B828d/2008
Publisher's description: http://book.coe.int/EN/ficheouvrage.php?PAGEID=36&lang=EN&produit_aliasid=2356
Child welfare research: advances for practice and policy,
by Duncan Lindsey & Aron Shlonsky.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2008, 410 p.
Call no.: ncfv/HV741/C536w/2008
Publisher's description: http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/SocialWork/?view=usa&ci=9780195304961
Intimate partner violence prevention and intervention: the risk assessment and
management approach,
by Anna Costanza Baldry & Frans Willem Winkel.
New York: Nova, 2008, 216 p.
Call no.: ncfv/HV6626/I61/2008
Publisher's description: http://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5806
One child at a time: inside the police hunt to rescue children from online predators,
by Julian Sher.
Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2008, 333 p.
Call no.: ncfv/HQ471/S /2008
Publisher's description: http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780679313939
Position paper #1: violence prevention: a continued call to action for Ontario.
A position paper and resolution adopted by the Ontario Public Health Association Code: 2008-01 (PP); 2008-01 (RES)
Toronto: Ontario Public Health Association, 2008, 26 p.
Available: http://www.opha.on.ca/our_voice/ppres/papers/2008-01_pp.pdf
© 2008 Ontario Public Health Association
An addendum to the Video Catalogue is now available!
Videos are a popular and effective education tool to raise awareness and stimulate discussion. Videos can be easily incorporated into workshops, training sessions, presentations and classroom settings. The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence (NCFV), in collaboration with the National Film Board (NFB) of Canada, offers an extensive collection of Canadian videos that address family violence. Topics include child abuse, bullying, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence and elder abuse.
The NCFV has added 26 new videos in English and 16 new French titles to the collection. For a description of these new videos please view the Addendum to the Video Catalogue online now.
Clients can borrow NCFV videos from 35 NFB partner public libraries across Canada or through an interlibrary loan from their local public, academic, or institutional library. Videos can also be purchased through their respective distributors.
For additional questions on the video collection, please contact the NCFV at 1-800-267-1291 or send us an email to: ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
NCFV videos addressing family violence in Aboriginal communities include:
Veuillez consulter la version française ci-dessous pour les nouvelles ressources en français.
Donna’s Story
An intimate portrait of a determined survivor, Donna's Story profiles a Cree woman who left behind a bleak existence on the streets. Donna re-emerges as a powerful voice counselling Aboriginal adults and youth about abuse and addiction. (2001)
Finding Dawn
Dawn Crey, Ramona Wilson and Daleen Kay Bosse are three of the estimated 500 Aboriginal Canadian women who have gone missing or been murdered over the past thirty years. Directed by Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh, Finding Dawn is a compelling documentary that puts a human face to this national tragedy. It illustrates for the first time, the deep historical, social and economic factors that contribute to the epidemic of violence against Aboriginal women both inside and outside their communities. Finding Dawn presents the ultimate message that stopping the violence is everyone’s responsibility. (2006)
Key Dates
May 2009 – Sexual Assault Prevention Month (Ontario)
http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/owd/english/resources/information/dates/assault.shtml
June 1 to 7, 2009 – Sexual Harassment Awareness Week (Ontario)
http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/owd/english/news/2007/n20070601.shtml
June 15, 2009 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
http://www.cnpea.ca/WEAAD.htm
May 13 to 15, 2009 – Bridging Perspectives: Intervening with Men who Batter, Minneapolis, MN, USA
http://www.bridgingperspectives.org/
May 18 to 20, 2009 – International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence & Stalking, Anaheim, CA, USA
http://www.evawintl.org/conferencedetail.aspx?confid=6
May 19 to 22, 2009 – First Canadian Social Forum, Calgary, AB
http://www.ccsd.ca/csf/2009/
May 20 to 22, 2009 – Précongrès et congrès 2009 de l’AQESSS (L’Association québécoise d’établissement de santé et des services sociaux), Montréal, QC
http://www.aqesss.qc.ca/707/Programme.aqesss
May 21 to 22, 2009 – Stand Up - Speak Out (National Conference: A Call to Men), New York City, NY, USA
http://www.acalltomen.org/downloads.php
May 28 to 29, 2009 – Safe, Respectful & Inclusive Workplaces: Strategies and Stakeholders, London, ON
http://www.crvawc.ca/section-whats_new/index.htm#conference1
May 31 to June 3, 2009 – 2nd Restorative Practices International Conference: 'Widening Our Lens - Connecting Our Practice', Vancouver, BC
http://restorativepracticesinternational.org/9.html
May 31 to June 6, 2009 – Violences, Analyses féministes de nouveaux enjeux (dans le cadre du Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées (DESS) en études féministes), Laval, QC
http://www.fss.ulaval.ca/universitefeministedete/
June 1 to 6, 2009 – The Convention on the Rights of the Child - why it is time to ratify, Washington, DC, USA
http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=18699&flag=event
June 2 to 4, 2009 – The Next National Summit: Exploring Effective Interventions in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment, Jackson Hole, WY, USA
http://www.endabuse.org/content/features/detail/1081/
June 2 to 4, 2009 – 2009 National Center for Victims of Crime National Conference, Portland, Oregon, USA
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=dash_Home
June 3 to 5, 2009 – 6th Atlantic Summer Institute on Healthy and Safe Communities, Charlottetown, PEI
http://www.upei.ca/si/si2009/en/registration
June 4 to 5, 2009 – Connecting now for the future: Conference on the transition to autonomy for youth at risk, Montreal, QC
http://www.colloquejeunes2009.enap.ca/en/youth-conference-presentation.aspx?sortcode=2.1.2.2
June 5, 2009 – PREV Net 4th Annual Conference: Life Without Bullying, Toronto, ON
http://www.prevnet.ca/Portals/0/PREVNet%204th%20Annual%20Conference%20Brochure.pdf
June 10 to 12, 2009 – 1er Colloque international de Psychotraumatologie et Victimologie, Paris, France
http://www.psychomediamagazine.fr/evenement.html
June 14 to 16, 2009 – 1st Annual Canadian Conference on the Prevention of Domestic Homicides, London, ON
http://www.crvawc.ca/documents/Nat%20DVDRC%20conference%20flyer.pdf
June 15 to 19, 2009 – 11th European Conference on Traumatic Stress: Violence and Trauma in Lives and Communities – Roads to Prevention and Repair, Oslo, Norway
http://www.vota.org.au/conference09/conference.html
June 16 to 19, 2009 – Canadian Domestic Violence Conference: Working with those who perpetrate abuse and their families, Toronto, ON
http://www.canadiandomesticviolenceconference.ca/schedule.html
June 22 to 24, 2009 – 2009 National Conference of the National Center for Victims of Crime, Washington, DC, USA
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_Training_Institute1160
June 24 to 26, 2009 – PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre Annual Conference, Charlottetown, PEI
Email: admin@peirsac.org.
June 30 to July 3, 2009 – The Future of Indigenous Healing in the 21st Century, Miawpukek First Nation, Conne River Reserve, NL
http://www.firstnationstrustfund.ca
August 3 to 4, 2009 – A Journey to Healing: Finding the Path, Long Beach, CA, USA
http://www.idvaac.org/healing/
August 12 to 13, 2009 – Indigenous young people, crime and justice conference, Sydney, Australia
http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences
August 17 to 20, 2009 – 21st Annual Crimes Against Children Conference, Dallas, Texas, USA
http://cacconference.org/dcac/p-15.aspx
August 23 to 26, 2009 – 5th World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights, Halifax, NS
http://www.lawrights.asn.au/
August 23 to 27, 2009 – The 35th Annual NOVA North American Victim Assistance Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
http://www.trynova.org/conference/2009/
August 23 to 28, 2009 – The World Society of Victimology's 13th International Symposium on Victimology, Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
http://www.tokiwa.ac.jp/isv2009/index.html
September 3 to 4, 2009 – A New Direction for a Safer Tomorrow: A National Conference on Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange, San Diego, CA, USA
Email:mrobinson@ncjfcj.org
September 7 to 10, 2009 – Children and the Law: International approaches to children and their vulnerabilities, Prato, Italy
http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=18951
September 9 to 11, 2009 – National Sexual Assault Conference, Alexandria, VA, USA
http://www.nsvrc.org/nsac2009-virtual-exhibit
September 17 to 18, 2009 – 4th Milestones Meeting of Global Campaign for Violence Prevention, Geneva, Switzerland
http://www.who.int/entity/violence_injury_prevention/violence/global_campaign/newsletter/13/en/index.html
September 21 to 26, 2009 – 14th International Conference on Violence, Abuse & Trauma, San Diego, CA, USA
http://www.ivatcenters.org/index.asp
September 29 to October 1st, 2009 – Northern Approaches and Responses to Victims of Crime Conference, Yellowknife, NWT
http://www.justice.gc.ca/fra/pi/cpcv-pcvi/cal/index.html
October 8 to 10, 2009 – Fifth National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence, New Orleans, LA, USA
http://endabuse.org/content/features/detail/775/
October 28 to 30, 2009 – Victorian Offender Treatment Association (VOTA), Melbourne, Australia
http://www.vota.org.au/conference09/conference.html
November 6 to 7, 2009 – First National Conference for Campus-Based Men’s Gender Equality & Anti-Violence Groups, Collegeville, MN, USA
Email: gkellom@csbsju.edu.
November 9 to 10, 2009 – MMFC Research Day 2009 – The face of sexual violence in the 21st Century: Naming the unspoken, Fredericton, NB
http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/arts/centres/mmfc/news/index.html
November 15 to 18, 2009 – 12th Australian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, “Look at child abuse and neglect through the lens of prevention, Perth, Western Australia
http://www.apccan2009.org.au/
November 15 to 21, 2009 – Seventh Annual Bullying Awareness Week: Theme: "Stand Up! (to bullying)" http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org/
November 19 to 20, 2009 – RESOLVE Research Day 2009 – Healing from violence and abuse, Regina, SK
http://www.uregina.ca/resolve
The NCFV E-bulletin invites provincial and territorial partners to highlight their initiatives as well as provide information, updates and other news.
Kanawayhitowin, “Taking Care of Each Other’s Spirit”, is an Aboriginal campaign to raise awareness about the signs of woman abuse in Aboriginal communities across the province, so that people who are close to an at-risk woman or abusive man can provide support. Adapted from the successful Neighbours, Friends and Families campaign, Kanawayhitowin is based on traditional Aboriginal teachings and was developed by and for Aboriginal peoples.
This campaign:
- Focuses on ending the isolation abused women feel.
- Emphasizes the empowerment of Aboriginal men to take responsibility and make change.
- Incorporates a variety of educational and awareness raising activities and materials (brochures, PSA's, training video, CD ROM.).
- Includes guidelines on how to implement a campaign in your community.
- Provides information about warning signs and safety planning.
All materials are available and can be downloaded for use on the Kanawayhitowin website: http://www.kanawayhitowin.ca/index.php
For more information, or if your group or organization would like a Kanawayhitowin presentation, please contact kanawayhitowin@ofifc.org.
Aboriginal Domestic Violence Services – Programs & Collaboration
Based on Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) data, over 50% of individuals accessing domestic violence related services in Manitoba identify themselves as being of Aboriginal background. All funded agencies are required to make efforts to ensure that the composition of their staff and boards reflect the cultural diversity of the community and that cultural sensitivity is considered in program development and delivery. A number of agencies provide services with a particular emphasis on Aboriginal beliefs, traditions and language. These include: Ikwe (women’s shelter); the North End Women’s Centre (resource centre); Wahbung Abinoonjiiag Inc. (programs for youth and children); and the Mawi-Wi-Chi-Itata Centre’s Spirit of Peace program for men, women and children.
Nationally, the FVPP is regularly involved in consultative processes with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) as well as Federal-Provincial working groups to develop effective domestic violence responses on reserve. FVPP is also working with the Aboriginal community and government partners in linking the agenda and themes for the 2009 National Aboriginal Women’s Summit (NAWS) and is involved in preparations for the event to be hosted in Manitoba.
Provincially, the FVPP is an active member of the Stolen Sisters Interdepartmental Working Group, which examines violence towards aboriginal women and girls and develops options to address gaps in related services. In addition, the FVPP is involved in collaborations with Mothers of Red Nations (MORN) women’s council and local Aboriginal agencies Ndinawe and Ki Nikanichihk in the development of services for sexually exploited youth in Manitoba.
For more information, visit the FVPP website at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fvpp/index.html
Statistics Canada - Residents of Canada’s Shelters for Abused Women, 2008
The Juristat article: "Residents of Canada’s Shelters for Abused Women, 2008," will be available free in electronic format as of May 13, 2009 from the Statistics Canada website at http://www.statcan.gc.ca. Select the Publications module, under Publications by subject, choose Crime and justice, then type Juristat.
This article presents a profile of abused women in all shelters that provided residential services in 2007-2008. Selected characteristics of residents are presented including reasons for coming to the shelter, parenting responsibilities, relationship to the abuser, repeat stays, as well as departures. The data represent a snapshot day, April 16, 2008. Data for this article come primarily from the Transition Home Survey (THS) which is conducted by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) as part of the federal government's Family Violence Initiative. The THS is a biennial census of all residential facilities for women and their children who are seeking refuge from abuse or for other reasons.
For further information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, toll-free at 1-800-387-2231, or 613-951-9023.
Department of Justice Canada - New General Publication on Family Violence
The Family Violence Initiative of the Department of Justice Canada has a new general publication about family violence. Abuse is Wrong is intended for anyone who is suffering from abuse in a relationship or in a family.
Abuse is Wrong provides information on many aspects of family violence, including:
- the types of abuse or violence that can occur in families,
- laws and other ways family violence is dealt with in Canada,
- how to seek help, and
- what people can expect when they seek help.
The booklet is available online at http://canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/fv-vf/pub/index.html#plei in both HTML and PDF formats. Printed copies will also be available through the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence in the coming weeks.
For more information on Abuse is Wrong, please contact the Family Violence Initiative, Department of Justice Canada, at fv-vf@justice.gc.ca.
Department of Justice Canada - New Online Victim Services Directory
The Policy Centre for Victims Issues within the Department of Justice Canada recently launched a new online Victim Services Directory to:
- help victims identify appropriate agencies in their community according to the type of victimization they have experienced or the type of support they seek;
- help service providers, victims and individuals locate services for victims of crime across Canada;
- allow service providers to identify other service providers across the country;
- help all individuals access victim services.
Agency information for this Directory has been compiled through the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Victim Services Survey and includes Agencies in all provinces and territories across the country. The list of agencies, however, is not exhaustive.
To search the Victim Services Directory, visit the Justice Canada website at: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pcvi-cpcv/vsd-rsv/sch-rch.asp. Click here if you would like to add your Agency to the Directory.
Status of Women Canada - Native Women’s Association of Canada (Sisters In Spirit initiative) report on murdered and missing Aboriginal women
On April 30th, 2009, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) released its second edition of Voices of Our Sisters in Spirit: A Report to Families and Communities. The report summarizes information obtained through interviews with participating families about their missing or murdered loved ones, as well as demographic and statistical research. As of March 31, 2009, 520 cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls had been entered into the NWAC database. Among its most relevant findings, the report found that most cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women occurred in Western Canada and mostly involved females under the age of 30. The report also contains information on emerging trends and policy recommendations, as well as on community engagement and education activities undertaken through the initiative. The full report is available on NWAC’s website at: http://www.nwac-hq.org/en/documents/VoicesofOurSistersInSpirit_2ndEdition_March2009.pdf.
The Sisters In Spirit (SIS) initiative is a multi-year research, education and policy initiative funded by Status of Women Canada. The initiative is designed to address the large number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. For more information on the SIS initiative, visit the NWAC website at: http://www.nwac-hq.org/.
New Horizons for Seniors Program, Elder Abuse Awareness 2009-10 Call for Proposals
The Elder Abuse Awareness Funding for Regional Projects is currently accepting proposals for funding.
The Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their community. The Program offers three funding streams: Community Participation and Leadership, Capital Assistance, and Elder
Abuse Awareness.
The Elder Abuse Awareness funding stream provides contribution funding to assist non-profit organizations develop national, provincial/territorial, or regional awareness activities to help prevent the abuse of older adults.
A Call for Proposals for Elder Abuse Awareness Funding is now open until May 15, 2009. Organizations are invited to submit proposals for regional projects. To be eligible for funding, organizations must be Canadian, incorporated, and not-for-profit.
For further information regarding this Call for Proposals, including the specific funding priorities, the funding guide, and application forms and templates, please visit the New Horizons for Seniors website at: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml.
Introducing the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) Youth Council Violence Prevention Toolkit
In December 2007, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) launched the Youth Council Violence Prevention Toolkit, funded by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). The Toolkit is designed to raise awareness about violence and prevention issues among Aboriginal youth, with a particular focus on young Aboriginal women. To support youth engagement in the research process, the content was developed by the NWAC Youth Council and NWAC Youth Department.
The goals of the Toolkit are to provide Aboriginal youth, especially girls, with strategies for self-protection, to educate them in a straightforward manner and in a safe environment about safety nets, to inform them of community resources in or outside their communities, to demonstrate appropriate and inappropriate responses, and to advise them of safety programs and new threats such as date rape drugs, etc. It also offers communities and local organizations tips to address violence prevention issues with youth.
Youth participate in all activities of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). The NWAC Youth Council (YC) is comprised out of one youth representative from each of the thirteen NWAC Native women’s organizations. Their mission is to represent, promote, advocate, empower, protect and educate young indigenous women of Canada, as well as encourage unity and the growth of the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of ones self, family and community.
To learn more about NWAC Youth program and Youth Council and to obtain information about how to get involved, please contact NWAC by phone at 613-722 3033 ext 230 or 1-800-461-4043, or e-mail at: jgolic@nwac-hq.org or reception@nwac-hq.org.
To view the components of the toolkit, click here. To request a copy of our toolkit, click here.
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
Pauktuutit serves as the national voice of Inuit women in Canada. Incorporated in 1984, it conducts research and advocates on behalf of Inuit women in an effort to ensure their input on national issues of concern to Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and to increase their participation in federal policies and programs. Pauktuutit's programs address the many social and health issues facing Inuit communities, including child sexual abuse and violence against women, and strive for the social, cultural, political and economic betterment of women, their families and communities.
A National Strategy to Prevent Abuse in Inuit Communities
With knowledge gained through Pauktuutit’s Nuluaq Project on Abuse Prevention came the establishment of a multi-stakeholder National Advisory Committee on Abuse Prevention, which was tasked with creating the National Strategy to Prevent Abuse in Inuit Communities.
This Strategy aims to reduce the incidents of violence and abuse in Inuit communities, and promote and enhance caring and respectful relationships. The Strategy’s objectives include: developing sustained relationships among partner organizations committed to reducing violence and abuse in Inuit communities; coordinating efforts to leverage resources; and implementing practical, effective, and culturally appropriate services and programs to prevent and stop abuse and to promote healing.
Additionally, the National Advisory Committee on Abuse Prevention has established the following six strategic priorities for preventing abuse in Inuit communities:
- Prioritize the issue of abuse in Inuit communities
- Raise awareness of and reduce tolerance for abuse
- Invest in training and capacity development
- Sustain front-line workers and community services
- Deliver services that heal the Inuit
- Expand programs that build on Inuit strengths and prevent abuse
Further information on Pauktuutit and its initiatives, including the National Strategy to Prevent Abuse in Inuit Communities, is available online at: http://www.pauktuutit.ca.
The NCFV’s July 2009 E-bulletin will focus on the Federal Elder Abuse Awareness Initiative (FEAI).
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National Clearinghouse on Family Violence: Telephone 1-800-267-1291; TTY 1-800-465-7735; Fax (613) 941-8930; Web site http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/nc-cn; e-mail ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca
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