Neighbours, Friends & Neighbours, Friends & FamiliesFamilies

Creating the Creating the communities communities

we all want to live and we all want to live and work in work in

Why are we here?Why are we here?

In almost every case of domestic In almost every case of domestic homicide, we found that the people around homicide, we found that the people around the victim knew what was going on – but the victim knew what was going on – but

didn’t know what to do about it…didn’t know what to do about it…

Al O’MaraAl O’Mara(Former) Chief Counsel Coroner’s Office of Ontario(Former) Chief Counsel Coroner’s Office of Ontario

What Can I Do? What Can I Do?

Know the Rule of IsolationKnow the Rule of Isolation

Isolation is a factor that is always present in Isolation is a factor that is always present in situations of woman abuse situations of woman abuse

……It could even be considered a necessary It could even be considered a necessary conditioncondition

As the abuse escalates – the isolation As the abuse escalates – the isolation becomes more profoundbecomes more profound

Behaviours Designed to Behaviours Designed to Interrupt IsolationInterrupt Isolation

1.1. Learn to Learn to RecognizeRecognize signs of abuse signs of abuse2.2. RespondRespond - Don’t sit alone with suspicions - Don’t sit alone with suspicions

and questionsand questions3.3. Seek help and take appropriate action – Seek help and take appropriate action –

ReferRefer to professionals to professionals

SEE IT – NAME IT – CHECK ITSEE IT – NAME IT – CHECK IT

How do we prepare ourselves?How do we prepare ourselves?

Start with HeartStart with HeartYou can’t go wrong if you intervene You can’t go wrong if you intervene

from a place of genuine concern from a place of genuine concern and care…and care…

PartnershipPartnershipNeighbours, Friends and Families is a partnership Neighbours, Friends and Families is a partnership between the Ontario Government and the Expert between the Ontario Government and the Expert

Panel on Neighbours, Friends and Families, through Panel on Neighbours, Friends and Families, through the Centre for Research and Education on Violence the Centre for Research and Education on Violence

Against Women and Children.Against Women and Children.

77

PurposePurpose

Neighbours, Friends and Families is a Neighbours, Friends and Families is a campaign to raise awareness of campaign to raise awareness of

THE SIGNS OF WOMAN ABUSE THE SIGNS OF WOMAN ABUSE so that people who are close to an at-risk so that people who are close to an at-risk

woman or abusive man can help.woman or abusive man can help.

88

99

Situational couple violenceSituational couple violence• most common / arguments escalate to violencemost common / arguments escalate to violence

Coercive controlCoercive control• abusive partner controls and coercesabusive partner controls and coerces

Violent ResistanceViolent Resistance• victim of intimate terrorism fights backvictim of intimate terrorism fights back

Domestic Violence – 3 TypesDomestic Violence – 3 Types

Johnson / CLASP – 2006

Domestic Violence – 3 TypesDomestic Violence – 3 Types

• The different types are differently The different types are differently genderedgendered

• Dramatic differences among the typesDramatic differences among the types– Violence severity, frequency, mutuality, and Violence severity, frequency, mutuality, and

escalationescalation– Health consequencesHealth consequences– Relationship consequencesRelationship consequences

Domestic Violence – 3 TypesDomestic Violence – 3 Types

• All are harmfulAll are harmful• All are potentially dangerousAll are potentially dangerous• All need intervention – different kindsAll need intervention – different kinds• Those involved in any type of violent Those involved in any type of violent relationship need supportrelationship need support

1212

Situational couple violenceSituational couple violence• most common / arguments escalate to violencemost common / arguments escalate to violence

Intimate terrorism / batteringIntimate terrorism / battering• abusive partner controls and coercesabusive partner controls and coerces

Violent ResistanceViolent Resistance• victim of intimate terrorism fights backvictim of intimate terrorism fights back

Domestic Violence – 3 TypesDomestic Violence – 3 Types

Woman Abuse

Why Focus on Woman Abuse?Why Focus on Woman Abuse?

1313

• Highest risk casesHighest risk cases• Most serious injuriesMost serious injuries• Preventable (because predictable)Preventable (because predictable)• Impact on children is devastatingImpact on children is devastating• Can’t change what you can’t nameCan’t change what you can’t name

Statistics

Ontario Death Reviews-All cases from 2002-2007

166 cases have resulted in 230 deaths of men, women and children

The majority of male deaths were suicides by the perpetrator

Domestic Violence Death Review Committee

1515

Domestic Homicide Death Reviews Domestic Homicide Death Reviews

2006: 26 women / 6 men* / 12 children 2006: 26 women / 6 men* / 12 children 2007: 21 women / 11 men* / 3 children2007: 21 women / 11 men* / 3 children

*All but one of the male deaths were suicides after *All but one of the male deaths were suicides after killing their partner.killing their partner.

Death Reviews -All cases from 2002-2007 Death Reviews -All cases from 2002-2007 92% of violent perpetrators were male92% of violent perpetrators were male

1515

Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee - 2008Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee - 2008

In the past 10 years, over 200 women have In the past 10 years, over 200 women have been killed in Ontariobeen killed in Ontario

• The number of women seriously injured, The number of women seriously injured, and/or who commit suicide as a result of and/or who commit suicide as a result of abuse isn’t reflected in the stats. abuse isn’t reflected in the stats.

• 90 – 100,000 women and children seek 90 – 100,000 women and children seek safety in shelters every year.safety in shelters every year.

StatisticsStatistics

The War on Women – Brian ValleeThe War on Women – Brian Vallee

The War on WomenThe War on Women2000 – 2006 Canadian Stats2000 – 2006 Canadian Stats• 101 Canadian soldiers and police killed101 Canadian soldiers and police killed

– We pay tribute to these fallen men and We pay tribute to these fallen men and women, often with national media coverage women, often with national media coverage

• 500+ women killed by their partner 500+ women killed by their partner – rarely acknowledged, why don’t we feel the rarely acknowledged, why don’t we feel the same profound sense of loss with each life lost same profound sense of loss with each life lost due to violence?due to violence?

The War on Women – Brian ValleeThe War on Women – Brian Vallee

1818

Patterns of Abuse – ongoing, systematic Patterns of Abuse – ongoing, systematic to control and dominate a womanto control and dominate a woman

Can be:Can be:Physical / Sexual / Psychological or Emotional / Physical / Sexual / Psychological or Emotional / Religious / EconomicReligious / Economic

What Does Woman Abuse What Does Woman Abuse Look Like?Look Like?

Recognizing the SignsRecognizing the Signs

The victim may:The victim may:• Have bruising that cannot be explainedHave bruising that cannot be explained• Miss work on a regular basis or seem to be sick Miss work on a regular basis or seem to be sick

or late more oftenor late more often• Be sad, lonely, withdrawn and afraidBe sad, lonely, withdrawn and afraid• Have trouble concentrating on a taskHave trouble concentrating on a task• Receive upsetting phone callsReceive upsetting phone calls• Use alcohol or drugs to copeUse alcohol or drugs to cope• Request accommodations such as leaving early.Request accommodations such as leaving early.

2020

The Domestic Violence Death Review CommitteeThe Domestic Violence Death Review Committee

……the greatest need continues to be educating all the greatest need continues to be educating all members of the community about the warning members of the community about the warning signs of domestic violence and the appropriate signs of domestic violence and the appropriate

action necessary to prevent it.action necessary to prevent it.One example…is the Neighbours, Friends and One example…is the Neighbours, Friends and Families Campaign.Families Campaign. (DVDRC 2005) (DVDRC 2005)

NFF – “Model Program”NFF – “Model Program”

2121

Dupont / Daniel Inquest - RecommendationsDupont / Daniel Inquest - Recommendations

““to provide support to all workplaces to train all employees to provide support to all workplaces to train all employees about the dynamics of domestic violence….as well as what about the dynamics of domestic violence….as well as what to do if faced with a situation where violence enters the to do if faced with a situation where violence enters the workplaceworkplace

……model programs such as Neighbours, Friends and model programs such as Neighbours, Friends and Families may be expanded in Ontario and be more directly Families may be expanded in Ontario and be more directly inclusive of the role of the workplace”.inclusive of the role of the workplace”.

NFF – “Model Program”NFF – “Model Program”

A Common Misconception:A Common Misconception:Woman abuse is a private issueWoman abuse is a private issue

In Canada, woman abuse in the workplace has In Canada, woman abuse in the workplace has been invisiblebeen invisible

The tragic death of Lori Dupont has awakened The tragic death of Lori Dupont has awakened us to the fact that it is a workplace issueus to the fact that it is a workplace issue

Critical Events and OpportunitiesCritical Events and Opportunities• Critical EventsCritical Events

• Visible warning signs and risk factors Visible warning signs and risk factors • Should raise possibility of dangerShould raise possibility of danger

• OpportunitiesOpportunities• A chance to intervene A chance to intervene • Can be missed because of uncertainty or Can be missed because of uncertainty or

missing informationmissing information• Organizations and individuals are unpreparedOrganizations and individuals are unprepared

2323

1 3 3 4 4 412

2228

3237

1 2 4 5 8 10

22

48

65

76

84

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Oct'03

/Mar

'04 (1

,1)

Apr'04

/May

'04 (2

,1)

June

'04/Ju

ly'04

(0,2)

Aug'04

/Sep

'04 (1

,1)

Oct'04

/Nov

'04 (0

,3)

Dec'04

/Jan'0

5 (0,2

)

Feb'0

5/Mar

'05 (8

,12)

Apr'05

/May

'05 (1

0,26)

June

'05/Ju

ly'05

(6,17

)

Aug'05

/Sep

'05 (4

,11)

Oct'05

/Nov

'05 (5

,8)

Critical Event

Opportunity

Accumulation of Critical Events & Missed Opportunities Dupont Inquest

Workplace ImplicationsWorkplace Implications

The federal government estimates the annual The federal government estimates the annual cost of violence against women at $1.1 billion cost of violence against women at $1.1 billion in direct medical costs alone. That figure rises in direct medical costs alone. That figure rises to more than $4 billion a year when social to more than $4 billion a year when social services, lost productivity, lost earnings, and services, lost productivity, lost earnings, and police, court, and prison costs are factored inpolice, court, and prison costs are factored in.

2525Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children

Domestic Violence Prevention: A Workplace Initiative

Workplace ImplicationsWorkplace Implications

• Happen across all social classes Happen across all social classes • 37% of men in a perpetrators program are 37% of men in a perpetrators program are

white collar workers white collar workers • professionals, administrators, managers professionals, administrators, managers

• 74% of victims are harassed while at work, 74% of victims are harassed while at work, which puts themselves and all people which puts themselves and all people present at the workplace at riskpresent at the workplace at risk

Gandolf : 2002Gandolf : 2002Zachary 2000Zachary 2000

Workplace ImplicationsWorkplace ImplicationsThe danger of stalking & psychological abuseThe danger of stalking & psychological abuse

• 76% of women murdered were stalked by their intimate 76% of women murdered were stalked by their intimate partners in the year prior to murderpartners in the year prior to murder

• 21–24% of all stalking cases actually begin in the 21–24% of all stalking cases actually begin in the workplaceworkplace

• 87% of stalkers are male87% of stalkers are male

National Stalking Resource Center National Stalking Resource Center Kong, 1997; Pathe Kong, 1997; Pathe et al.et al., 2000, 2000

2727

Perpetrator Interference Perpetrator Interference Behaviours and ActionsBehaviours and Actions

He may prevent her from getting to work or, He may prevent her from getting to work or, interfere with her ability to work:interfere with her ability to work:

• Place repeated phone calls Place repeated phone calls • Stalk and/or watch her while she is at workStalk and/or watch her while she is at work• Show up and pester her co-workers with Show up and pester her co-workers with

questions (where is she, who she’s with, when questions (where is she, who she’s with, when will she be back, etc.)will she be back, etc.)

Why Workplaces Need to Be InvolvedWhy Workplaces Need to Be Involved

• Most workplaces are unpreparedMost workplaces are unprepared• Many employees are affected directly and Many employees are affected directly and

indirectlyindirectly• Multiple concerns such as security, health, Multiple concerns such as security, health,

performance, productivityperformance, productivity• In 9 out of 10 workplace incidents, the victim later In 9 out of 10 workplace incidents, the victim later

confides in a co-workerconfides in a co-worker• Employers & co-workers can make a differenceEmployers & co-workers can make a difference

2929 Stats Canada 2004

Why Workplaces Need to Be InvolvedWhy Workplaces Need to Be Involved

Perpetrators choose her workplace as a means to Perpetrators choose her workplace as a means to access her because often this is a factor in her life access her because often this is a factor in her life

that remains unchanged and predictable. that remains unchanged and predictable.

Even if she has changed residences to isolate Even if she has changed residences to isolate herself from the perpetrator, she may still herself from the perpetrator, she may still experience the negative actions at work.experience the negative actions at work.

3030 Zachary 2000

3131

Documentary Documentary “What everyone should know about “What everyone should know about

woman abuse.”woman abuse.”

Lived ExperienceLived Experience

3232

How Can I Support Her?How Can I Support Her?

Examples:Examples:• Talk to her about what Talk to her about what

you see and assure her you see and assure her that you are concerned that you are concerned

• Tell her you believe her Tell her you believe her and that it is not her fault and that it is not her fault

• Provide information about Provide information about safety safety

Understanding the Traps Understanding the Traps • History of abuse – grew up in abusive homeHistory of abuse – grew up in abusive home• Afraid to be on her ownAfraid to be on her own• Blames herself for the abuseBlames herself for the abuse• Economic uncertainty - povertyEconomic uncertainty - poverty• She loves him – believes he can changeShe loves him – believes he can change• She doesn’t want to move the childrenShe doesn’t want to move the children• Pressure from her familyPressure from her family• Cultural norms that don’t permit divorceCultural norms that don’t permit divorce

Risk Factors for Women in Risk Factors for Women in Rural CommunitiesRural Communities

• Isolation results in increased risksIsolation results in increased risks– Lack of transportationLack of transportation– Neighbours not closeNeighbours not close– Long response time for police and servicesLong response time for police and services

• Firearms in homesFirearms in homes• Personal relationships can interfere with Personal relationships can interfere with

professional responseprofessional response

Women at Greater RiskWomen at Greater Risk• Women with disabilitiesWomen with disabilities• Aboriginal womenAboriginal women• Immigrant womenImmigrant women• Young women (16 – 24)Young women (16 – 24)

36

Safety Planning for WomenSafety Planning for Women

• Developing a Safety planDeveloping a Safety plan• Getting Ready to LeaveGetting Ready to Leave• Leaving the AbuserLeaving the Abuser• After LeavingAfter Leaving

Referral Information:Referral Information:

The Assaulted Women’s Helpline, The Assaulted Women’s Helpline, and other women’s services in your and other women’s services in your areaarea

3737

What Can I Say?What Can I Say? When someone you care about is acting abusively:When someone you care about is acting abusively:

• Approach him when he is calmApproach him when he is calm• Tell him that you are concerned for Tell him that you are concerned for

the safety of his partner and children the safety of his partner and children and that there is help for himand that there is help for him

• Recognize that confrontational, Recognize that confrontational, argumentative approaches may argumentative approaches may make the situation worse and put her make the situation worse and put her at higher riskat higher risk

Assaulted Women’s HelplineAssaulted Women’s Helpline• 24-hour telephone support and crisis line24-hour telephone support and crisis line• Anonymous and confidentialAnonymous and confidential• Available in many languagesAvailable in many languages

Local ResourcesLocal Resources

3939

4040

Brochures & Safety Cards

• Arabic • Chinese Simplified• Chinese • English • Farsi• French  • Korean• Punjabi Indian• Punjabi Pakistani

• Russian• Somali • Spanish• Tamil • Vietnamese• Swahili (New)• Creole (New)• Kirundi (New)• Lingala (New)

Available in:

4242

WebsiteWebsitewww.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca

www.kanawayhitowin.cawww.voisinsamisetfamilles.ca

Neighbours, Friends and Families

Becoming A Workplace ChampionBecoming A Workplace Champion

Level 1: InformationLevel 1: Information• Introduce campaign and materials to all employeesIntroduce campaign and materials to all employees

Level 2: EducationLevel 2: Education• 1 hour presentation to all employees1 hour presentation to all employees

Level 3: Sustainability Level 3: Sustainability • Train the Trainer (2 day) / Intervention Workshop (1 day)Train the Trainer (2 day) / Intervention Workshop (1 day)

4343

Recognizing Workplace ChampionsRecognizing Workplace ChampionsFebruary 12 - 5 communities: February 12 - 5 communities:

London, Owen Sound, Strathroy, Stratford, WindsorLondon, Owen Sound, Strathroy, Stratford, Windsor

4444

Bill 168 OHSABill 168 OHSA

Bill 168 amends the Occupational Health and Bill 168 amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to address issues of workplace Safety Act (OHSA) to address issues of workplace harassment and violence. harassment and violence. Under section 32.0.4 of Under section 32.0.4 of the Act:the Act:• If an employer If an employer is aware or ought to be aware is aware or ought to be aware that that

domestic violence is likely to expose a worker to physical domestic violence is likely to expose a worker to physical injury or may occur in the workplace, the employer must injury or may occur in the workplace, the employer must take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker. take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker.

4545

• Website (linked to NFF)• Brochures• Audit Tools• Protocol Development• Support for Employers

Introducinga domestic violence workplace program

YOU

Friends

Committees

Manager

Neighbours

Co-Workers

Relatives

How it WorksHow it WorksEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday RelationshipsEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday Relationships

YOUYOU

4949

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

You don’t have to be a hero or fix the situationYou don’t have to be a hero or fix the situation.

Caring about the people around us, paying attention Caring about the people around us, paying attention to them when there are signs of trouble and to them when there are signs of trouble and

responding appropriately is radical social change. responding appropriately is radical social change.

Little things count.Little things count.

Most Ontarians feel a personal responsibility Most Ontarians feel a personal responsibility for reducing woman abuse...for reducing woman abuse...recognizing it is the first steprecognizing it is the first step

Take the warning signs seriouslyTake the warning signs seriously

Neighbours, Friends and FamiliesNeighbours, Friends and Families

5050