wwos module 3 october 2014
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YOU CAN MAKE A
DIFFERENCE:Understanding and Supporting Women
Who Experience Violence
Walking With Our Sisters: A Project of the Vancouver Island North
Women’s Resource Society, Campbell River, BC
Project Funding Provided By
The Women’s Program
Community agency participants will learn practical knowledge to support
women who experience gender based intimate partner violence to reduce
barriers to accessing services
Learning Objectives of Module Three:
Government AgenciesHealthcare or Medical Services
Front line Social ServicesCharities & non-profits
Church-based Community Services Concerned citizens & volunteers
ANY business or organization that provides services to women
This information is for YOU if you work in any of the following workplaces:
HOW CAN YOU HELP WOMEN WHO COME TO
YOUR AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION
AND WOMEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY
REDUCING BARRIERS TO SERVICE
Women who have experienced gender based intimate partner violence (IPV) or who may still be in situations of abuse need to feel able to access ALL community, health, government, and social servicesWe as managers, front line staff, and other workers need to collaboratively reduce barriers for these women by taking on the TASK of creating inclusive, informed services for everyone
T A S K
T a k e A c t i o n S u p p o r t K n o w l e d g e
Take ActionEncourage a
Culture of CompassionIn your place of work
This means that everyone who walks in the door is treated
with respect
• Listened to• Given our attention• Made to feel welcome
A Culture of Compassion Means
• Respecting that everyone has her or his own unique story, needs, experiences, and perceptions.
• Avoid showing prejudice towards people based upon their appearance or their current emotional state
• Providing a welcoming greeting that includes being attentive and making gentle eye contact so each person feels acknowledged
Check Your Assumptions
We don’t know another person’s story by the way that person looks or behaves. Intimate Partner Violence occurs in all class, race, and social groups
Outward Behaviours can be Deceiving: Some Examples
What we might perceive as anger could be fear
What we might perceive as a woman influenced by substance use could be a woman
in emotional or physical pain
What might appear to be “spaced out” behavior could be dissociation stemming from
trauma or PTSD
Staying Mindful about the Impacts of Abuse
From our learning we know that some women who have endured IPV can be left with a
shattered self image and can feel unheard:
Listening attentively, making gentle eye contact, and being present may go a long way
You could be the person in her day who helps her to feel heard and respected
SUPPORT KNOWLEGEEncourage your staff and coworkers to increase their knowledge and awareness of gender based violence against women by:
Taking this Online CourseLearning about Local ResourcesTalking About it to Reduce Stigma
Supporting Women who may currently be in an
abusive or violent relationship
What Can I Do? How Can I Help?
Your RESPONSE will depend on many factors:
What is your agency mandate? What is your position?
What are your organization’s policies?What are you trained to provide?
Of Special Note: Child Abuse Must Be Reported
If you should gain information that leads you to believe a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, Call the Helpline for Children at
310-1234This is a toll free number. It is a local telephone number
anywhere in the province.
We all have a legal Duty to report child abuse to the Ministry of Children and Family Development
SafetyMost situations you may encounter will involve
listening, being attentive, and giving information
Always ensure that you, your coworkers, and anyone present are safe from any physical harm
YOUR RESPONSE
The Situation
Your Relationship
Will Depend Upon These Three Things
Your Skills & Training
How Will I Know if a Woman has Experienced IPV?
You Probably Won’t KnowIf she wants you to know it is her choice to tell you
Should I Ask Her?
If it is safe to do so. If your role as a healthcare or social service worker enables you to have a
confidential space to talk with her then yes, you should probably ask the question:
Are you experiencing abuse and would you like information about local resources that can help?
What if she says no? What if the question embarrasses her?
What if she gets angry? She may well say no. Maybe no means no. Or
maybe she knows that now isn’t the time for her to take action.
It has been our experience that, yes, sometimes the question can be embarrassing, but most
women will understand that you mean well and care about their welfare.
At least she will know someone cares.
Should I Offer to Help?
It is her decision whether or not she wants you to help, what kind of help she needs, and if she
accepts your help
She knows her own situation better than anyone
If She Asks For Help
You need to be clear on how you can helpWhat help can you realistically provide?
The best help may be referring her to specialized women’s and
antiviolence services
Please remember that no one wants to live with abuse or violence. Some women fear reprisal from their abusers and therefore may not leave, accept help, or report abuse to the police
Most women who do report have already experienced multiple incidents of abuse
Why do Some Women Seem to Choose to Stay?
ASSESS THE SITUATIONListen to the Woman!This will guide your actions
If SHE says she needs help ask HER what SHE needs
THE SITUATION
Is she in imminent danger? Does she require emotional
support or counselling? Does she want information
about local resources?
THE SITUATION
Immediate dangerThe perpetrator is there, making threats,
or displaying violent behaviorIMMEDIATELY
CALL the POLICE
911
THE SITUATIONImmediate danger
She Tells You She is in Danger, or she is Being Stalked, and she is Afraid for Her Safety
ASK IF SHE NEEDS YOU TO
CALL the POLICE
911
If She Asks For Help And does not seem to be in imminent danger
Ensure that you are mindful of the situation. Do not ask questions about abuse in front of a possible abuser! Do not leave phone or text messages about
abuse. This could put her in danger.
Offer to let her use the phone, provide numbers such as the local transition society or victim services
Give her some privacy if possible OR ask if she wants you to stay with
her while she phonesKNOW LOCAL RESOURCE PHONE
NUMBERS
Local Campbell River Resources
FOR MORE LOCAL RESOURCES SEE PRINTABLE “RESOURCE SHEET” ON THIS WEBPAGE
The Ann Elmore House 24 hour crisis line for women 250-286-3666
(Toll free outside of Campbell River 1-800-667-2188)
Province Wide
In BC Call VictimLink
VictimLink is a 24-hour, toll free number (1-800-563-0808) that you can call day or night
to connect with appropriate local resources
If a woman is in immediate danger call your local RCMP detachment or 911
Have a list of local services available to give out
• Download our Crisis Services for Women Resource Card
• Have other pamphlets available
Boundaries: How Much Should You Help?
This will depend on how much and what help she wants, the nature of your job or organization, your
own skills and training, the relationship you may have with the woman as a service user, your
organizational policy, lots of things (get the picture?)
It can be complicated!
Are you front office staff at a government service office? Reception staff at a medical office?
Generally you would have formal interactions with clients or consumers. You may be familiar but not close.
You can help by being welcoming and attentive. This in itself can go a long way!
You may offer for her to use the phone, or give her phone numbers for women’s or victim service resources
What is Your Relationship with her as a Service User? Some Possible Scenarios of Support
Are you a mental health worker or a counsellor?
Generally you would have a closer relationship and trust built up between you and the client.
Therefore you may offer to listen to her story. You may explore some information about IPV with her via pamphlets or the internet. You might even offer to go with her to access victim service or women’s resources.
What is Your Relationship with her as a Service User? Some Possible Scenarios of Support
Support Knowledge!KNOW THE RESOURCES:
Good Internet Sites (More on this Website under Resources)
VictimLink http://www.victimlinkbc.ca/vlbc/help/domestic_violence.page
Ending Violence Association of BC http://endingviolence.org/
Important to Remember
Unless you are specially trained in women’s services, antiviolence, or victim
services, it is usually best practice to connect the woman up with these
specialized services. These services can help her with a SAFETY
PLAN and assess her level of danger
PLAN AHEAD
It is wise for each agency to have a plan or a protocol in place in case a
woman asks for help so that staff will know what actions to take and what
the local resource contacts are• For help creating a protocol contact the Campbell River Violence In
Relationship Committee (email the Women’s Centre at [email protected] ) or your local women’s transition society
Resources for YouThe following slide lists some resources
particularly suited for professionals working in
medical services mental health agencies
counselling services
Woman Centred – Trauma Informed Care
Building Bridges: Linking Woman Abuse, Substance Use and Mental Ill Health
http://www.bcwomens.ca/Services/HealthServices/WomanAbuseResponse
BC Women’s Hospital
Women Abuse Response Program Trauma, Violence, and Mental Healthhttp://bccewh.bc.ca/research-areas/trauma-violence-mental-health/
British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health
Reducing Barriers to Support Haskell, R. (2010) BC Society of Transition Houses.
http://www.bcsth.ca/sites/default/files/ReducingBarriersDiscussionPaper_Final.pdf
Local Supportive Resources(More Listed on the Website)
Campbell River and North Island Transition SocietyOperates the Ann Elmore Emergency Shelter and Rose
Harbour, provides support groups and services250-287-7384
The Women’s Centre
Drop In Support Monday – Thursday 10-3 1116 Dogwood Street 250-287-
3044
Community Based Victims Services250-287-2421
A Campbell River Family Services Society Program
Check-Up on Your Attitudes and Beliefs!
• We all form beliefs from the social, media, and cultural information around us
• Challenge those beliefs! Examine the Myths and Realities about woman abuse!
Learn and share the facts with your coworkers, friends, and family
It can happen to
any woman
Together we can create change!
Credits for This Project
Principle Author and Investigator:
Georgette Whitehead, MSW, RCC, RSW
Contributors & Reviewers:Eileen Stearns, BSW, RSW, Contributor, researcherJodi Grundle, MSc, ContributorMarnie MacLachlan, reviewer
Graphic Facilitation Art by Jill Banting, MA. Informed by a focus group of experiential women
A full list of references is available on our website
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