Day 1: Dynamics of Domestic Violence—A Community Responsibility
Welcome and Introduction
Overview
- understanding the dynamics of domestic violence
- recognizing the signs; identifying the risk factors
- understanding the challenge and the stakes
- the Domestic Violence Interview Guide
- contributing to safe outcomes within the context of our roles and disciplines
Jocelyn Coupal — Domestic Violence Consultant/Crown Counsel, Vancouver
Women and Children Who Have Experienced Violence: Safety Planning
- an “academic” question?: defining risk and safety in domestic violence situations
- evidence-based research: the victim voice in impacting issues of policy and law reform
- “context” is all: diverse factors which impact individual domestic violence victim risk
- “risky” domestic violence policy and law: how to evaluate the effectiveness of specialized instruments and practices
- role of authority figures in the lives of women and children; how not to replicate the power/control of the abuser
- the neurobiology of trauma and attachment: effects on information processing and decision making for women who have experienced relationship violence
- how socialization affects decision making
- how presence/absence/”fit” of resources can affect decision making; the role of professionals in connecting women to resources
- the need to outreach and not be deterred by a lack of response from the woman
- collaborative safety planning: considering the social context
- complexity and the need for flexibility as women’s unique situations change
- social factors that impact a woman’s level of risk
- safety planning for leaving or deciding to stay in the relationship
Dr. Margaret A. Jackson — Director, FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women AND Professor Emerita, School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver
Gail Edinger — Regional Coordinator, Community Coordination for Women's Safety, 100 Mile House; Ending Violence Association of BC, Vancouver
Heather Whiteford — Manager, Victim Services, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, New Westminster;
Director, JASMINE (Justice Access Society for Maintaining Independence and Empowerment), Vancouver
Questions and Discussion
Networking Break
Life Trumps Privacy: Disclosing Information in High Risk Woman Abuse Cases
- protecting privacy: how misunderstanding privacy laws prevents sharing case information which can keep the victim, her children, and other people safe
- overview of federal and provincial privacy provisions: sharing personal information without consent in certain situations
- the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Personal Information Protection Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act
- guiding principles and best practices based on models successfully implemented in communities with interagency high risk case management teams
Gisela Ruebsaat, BA, LLB — Legal Analyst/Community Coordination for Women's Safety, Ending Violence Association of BC, Victoria
Questions and Discussion
Networking Lunch (provided)
Risk Focused/Evidence Based Investigations
- relying on evidence collection to forward charges to Crown
- changing the views of successful outcome for police/Crown: from conviction to victim safety
- police and the use of family orders: how should police conduct these investigations
Detective Constable Terry Wilson — (formerly of the Domestic Violence Response Team, New Westminster Police Department), B.C. Hate Crime Team, Surrey
Questions and Discussion
Networking Break
The Langley Pilot
- structure
- risk assessment
- victim-centred approach
- domestic violence investigation guide
- lessons learned
Inspector Richard Konarski — Operations Support Officer, Langley RCMP Detachment, Langley
Questions and Discussion
Immigration Issues and Human Trafficking
- immigration status: compounding issues and risks in domestic violence situations
- compromise and re-victimization of immigrant women
- solutions and recommendations for policy makers
- human trafficking: indicators, risks, and protection measures
- what is human trafficking? what are the specific Criminal Code and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provisions related to it?
- what are the needs of trafficked persons? what risks do they face?
- what measures of protection can Canada offer to trafficked persons?
- what is the role of BC’s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons?
Rosalind Currie — Director, Policy and Stakeholder Relations, Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Vancouver
Kamaljit K. Lehal — Immigration Lawyer, Lehal & Co, Delta; supervising lawyer, Ending Violence Association of BC Immigrant Women’s Project, Vancouver
Questions and Discussion
Day 2: Risk Factors and Safety Planning
Welcome and Introduction
Lessons Learned from Tragedies: The Findings of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee
- the vast majority of domestic homicides appear predictable and preventable
- consistent pattern of risk factors: often known to friends, family, co-workers, and community professionals before tragedies happen
- the need for enhanced public awareness and professional development in all sectors
- the critical role of risk assessment and risk management
- recognizing the dangers to children in these circumstances
- successful intervention often requires active collaboration amongst legal, mental health, and social service professionals
- prevention strategies for schools, colleges, and universities
Dr. Peter Jaffe, PhD, CPsych — Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario AND Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, London, Ontario
High Risk Domestic Violence Files: A Partnership Approach
- risk factors: accused variables, victim variables
- collaborative approach to safety planning for victim and victim’s children, including
- police
- Ministry of Children and Family Development
- bail/probation workers
- Crown
- family members of victim and accused
- redefining success in high-risk domestic violence files
- broader than judicial outcome
- increased victim safety in present and future
- increased offender accountability contributes to victim safety
Detective Constable Michele McKnight — Domestic Violence and Criminal Harassment Unit, Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver
Adriane Egan — Community Counsellor, Vancouver Domestic Violence Unit, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Vancouver
Questions and Discussion
Networking Break
Profiling Abusers
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profile of abusive men, including eight common features
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research findings about excuse-making strategies of abusers
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how domestic violence responders can counter these excuses
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parenting problems of abusers
David Adams, EdD — Co-director EMERGE Counseling and Education to Stop Domestic Violence, Boston
Questions and Discussion
Lunch (on your own)
The Domestic Violence Interview Guide
- focuses an interview on identifying risk factors for lethality
- guides interviews for organization and documentation of information
- identifies strategies and processes to increase victim safety
- ensures understanding of the unique needs and circumstances of the client so that appropriate referrals and resources can be recommended
Jocelyn Coupal — Domestic Violence Consultant/Crown Counsel, Vancouver
Questions and Discussion
Networking Break
Workshop: Interviewing Skills
Actors will enact a police investigation scenario. Using a tape-recording and transcript of a 911 call, and the Domestic Violence Interview Guide, small groups will conduct focused interviews of victims (played by actors) and identify risk factors for lethality and steps for safety planning.
Closing Comments
Jocelyn Coupal — Domestic Violence Consultant/Crown Counsel, Vancouver