Violence is Everyone`s Business

Violence is Everyone’s Business
Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) hosted our provincial conference, Violence
is Everyone’s Business, at the Ramada Plaza in Regina on May
17 and 18, 2016.
For the first time, PATHS opened up registration beyond our
member agencies (21 domestic violence shelters and counselling agencies in Saskatchewan) and welcomed attendees from a
variety of sectors. We were pleased to share this learning experience and have the opportunity to network with individuals
from federal and provincial governments and tribal councils,
community agencies, law enforcement, unions, and more.
In This Issue:
Violence is Everyone’s Business
1– 3
CPAV Regina
4
IPV in the Workplace Survey
4
PATHS Training
5
North East Women’s Shelter
6
Jackson Katz
6
10 Things Men Can Do
7
Member Directory
8
The Conference opened with songs from the Rainwater Singers, an Indigenous women’s drum group.
The keynote speaker on May 17th was Cherry Smiley, an artist, feminist activist, and founding member of Indigenous Women Against the Sex Industry (IWASI). Cherry travelled from Montreal, where she is currently studying for a Ph.D. in Communications at Concordia University. Her talk was titled, Aboriginal Women, Colonialism,
and the Sex Industry: Making the Connections. During this talk, she spoke of the historical construction of sexualized images of Indigenous women and of harms to women in systems of prostitution and pornography. Cherry noted that laws are needed to work toward ending violence against women in prostitution and that
“capitalism is not how we are going to end violence against women.” She spoke of prostitution as a constrained
choice, exacerbated by marginalization and often racism. She said “the goal should not be to meet women
where they are at and leave them there,” noting that we have to work toward a society where women have
real choices.
Barbara MacQuarrie, Community Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women & Children in the Faculty of Education at the Western University, delivered a keynote talk as well as a workshop presentation on May 18th. Barb’s talk on the impact of intimate partner violence in the workplace was
titled Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn’t? She shared many interesting—and often surprising—statistics from
a recent pan-Canadian survey on domestic violence and the workplace and talked about the cost of domestic
violence to workers and to employers. The survey found that 43% of those experiencing domestic violence
discussed it with someone at work and that 82% of the time, they discussed it with a co-worker. This speaks to
the need to ensure that all workers are aware of how to respond when they become aware that a co-worker is
continued on page 2...
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...continued from page 1
Cherry Smiley
Barbara MacQuarrie
experiencing
violence.
Supporting
women to safely stay
employed is crucial,
as employment is
often a pathway for
women to leave a
violent relationship.
Barb informed the
group of ways that
employers, unions,
and co-workers can
support a victim/
survivor of violence.
The Conference featured a number of concurrent workshops, which included: current best practices in
Saskatchewan shelters and services, supporting healthy diversity, the impacts of intimate partner stalking for
women, trauma-informed group treatment for women with complex PTSD, working with high risk domestic
violence victims, treatment for intimate partner violence offenders, interpersonal violence and abuse and animal safekeeping, sexual violence in intimate relationships, working with immigrant and refugee women, and
the Canadian Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations.
Presentations were delivered to the full group by Dr. Todd J. Sojonky, of Sojonky Counselling Services, who
spoke on mindfulness-based stress reduction and trauma, and Football Saskatchewan, whose members spoke
on the Be More Than a Bystander Initiative. Be More Than a Bystander, which was started by EVA BC and the
BC Lions, encourages athletes to use their public profile to speak out about violence against women and has
been implemented by a number of teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Football Saskatchewan, which
includes university football, junior football, high school football, minor football, and recreational football, is the
first amateur football league to engage in the program.
At the Conference, PATHS honoured two CBC
journalists, Bonnie Allen and Stefani Langenegger, for their excellent work reporting on recent
domestic homicides in Saskatchewan and advocating for a domestic violence review process in
Saskatchewan. Responsible journalism is vital
for telling victims’ stories in a respectful way and
for informing the public of the scope of the problem. We are truly thankful to Bonnie and Stefani
for being part of the growing number of journalists, domestic violence experts, front-line workers, and policy-makers that are working to end
violence against women in our province.
continued on page 3...
Bonnie Allen, Jo-Anne Dusel, and Stefani Langenegger.
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...continued from page 2
PATHS is grateful to all who made
Violence is Everyone’s Business a success, including our funders, the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Status of Women Canada. We
also thank those who donated door
prizes and gifts, including Cuppa T (a
speciality tea shop in Regina), Saskatoon
Interval House, and Clark’s Spices (hand
mixed spice blends made in Moose
Jaw).
Rainwater Singers
Sincere thanks to our keynote speakers, Cherry Smiley and Barbara MacQuarrie, and to all of the workshop
presenters: Dr. Todd J. Sojonky, Joe Wickenhauser (Moose Jaw Pride), Joanne Johnson & Lynne Guick
(Moose Jaw Transition House), Sarah Valli (SOFIA House), Kim Zorn (M.A., University of Regina), Lynn Thera
(YWCA My Aunt’s Place & Kikinaw Residence), Jen Renwick (Family Service Regina), Dawn Rain (Saskatoon
Health Region), Tracy Knutson (STOPS to Violence), Frances Wach (Saskatchewan SPCA), Stephanie Langley
& Stephanie Carlson (Regina-Qu’Appelle Health Region), Kelsey Waldo & Julia Hardy (Regina Immigrant
Women’s Centre), Jordan Fairbairn (Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, Western University), and Yol Piok, Jeff Yausie, and Tammy Robert from Football Saskatchewan.
Last, but certainly not least, PATHS thanks all who joined us for two days of learning, networking, and collaborating! We hope to see everyone at our next Conference!
Attendees at PATHS Violence is Everyone’s Business Conference call for justice for Saskatchewan’s missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Page 4
Intimate Partner Violence
and the Workplace
in Saskatchewan Survey
The Provincial Association of Transition Houses
and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is working with survivors, advocates, unions and employers to raise awareness of the impact of
intimate partner violence (IPV) on the workplace. As part of our project, we are conducting a survey of Saskatchewan workers to
explore their experience of intimate partner
violence and it how it impacted them at work.
There is mounting evidence that the impact of
intimate partner violence on workers and workplaces is significant.
In 2009, IPV cost female employees $20,943,599. The economic impact of IPV against females on the output of
employers was estimated at $6,194,356. Further, the total economic impact of IPV against females on employers
due to tardiness and distraction is estimated to be $44,858,528 (Zhang, Hoddenbagh, McDonald, & Scrim, 2013).
The cost of violence against women in Canada—including health care, criminal justice, social services, lost wages
and productivity—has been estimated at $4.2 billion annually, according to the Canadian Women's Foundation” (Globe and Mail, January 2013).
Specific language on IPV is making its way into Occupational Health and Safety Legislation in some Canadian jurisdictions. Employers have a duty to safeguard their employees. There is an increasing recognition that employers
should have a policy against IPV and should address the problem in employment contracts and workplace policies.
Saskatchewan has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence,
sexual assault and intimate partner homicide among the Canadian provinces.
It’s time for a culture shift. Will you be part of the change?
If you are a worker in Saskatchewan, please take part in our
survey. It will take about 15 minutes to complete: bit.ly/1q2e7pb
If you are a Saskatchewan union, employer or professional association, please forward this survey to your
members, workers and networks. The survey will be open until August 31st, 2016.
If you have questions about the survey or would like to become involved in our project please contact PATHS.
Page 5
Training Offered by PATHS
PATHS delivers a variety of presentations and training sessions related to interpersonal violence.
PATHS staff are certified trainers of the Make It Our Business program, which provides information to engage employers and other workplace stakeholders to prevent workplace domestic violence, to support employees at risk of or currently experiencing domestic violence, and to improve workplace health and safety.
We outline how employers, supervisors, managers, human resources professionals, security personnel, union representatives, and co-workers can recognize abusive relationships, respond to domestic violence, and
refer victims and abusers to supports that offer help. One-hour and full-day training sessions are available.
PATHS offers training on the dynamics of intimate partner violence and abuse, best practices for working
with survivors of violence, and the resources available in Saskatchewan. The length of this training can be
tailored to fit the needs of the group.
PATHS offers a full-day training session on Working with Older Adults who Have Experienced Abuse. The
length of this presentation can be tailored to fit the needs of the group.
The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) is a 13-item risk assessment instrument, to be used
with clients to assess the risk that their partner will assault them again. The ODARA is the result of collaboration between the Ontario Provincial Police Behavioural Sciences and Analysis Section and the Research
Department at Waypoint Mental Health Centre (Ontario). It is the first empirically developed and validated
domestic violence risk assessment tool to assess the risk of future domestic assault, as well as the frequency
and severity of future assaults. For all of these reasons, the ODARA is an important part of efforts to promote a coordinated, cross-sector response to violence against women. PATHS offers a full-day ODARA
training session. Certificates are issued for successful completion.
To inquire about scheduling training, please contact the PATHS office at 306-522-3515
or Jo-Anne Dusel ([email protected]) or Crystal Giesbrecht ([email protected]).
Members of PATHS Board.
Page 6
North East Women’s Shelter
PATHS Board and Staff Advisory Committee members met in Melfort in June, and we had the opportunity to
view the brand new women’s shelter operated by North East Outreach and Support Services, days before it
officially opened. North East Women’s Shelter is a 16 bed, short-term emergency shelter. The group was
throughly impressed by the thoughtful design of the building and the beautiful space that is now available to
house women and children fleeing violence. Congratulations and thanks to NEOSS for all of their hard work
making this shelter a reality and to the community of Melfort and surrounding area for their support of this
very important project!
PATHS Board, Staff Advisory Committee, and staff
at North East Women’s Shelter in June.
Jo-Anne Dusel, Dr. Jackson Katz, and Crystal Giesbrecht.
Jackson Katz
On June 23rd, Dr. Jackson Katz spoke at a lunch celebrating Regina Transition House’s 40th Anniversary.
As part of PATHS’ Intimate Partner Violence in the Workplace project (funded by Status of Women Canada), Dr. Katz also spoke to a group of male leaders from a variety of sectors. See Dr. Katz’s 10 Things Men
Can Do to Prevent Gender Violence on the opposite page!
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The Provincial Association of Transition
Houses and Services of Saskatchewan
Member Agencies
Contact PATHS:
2505 11th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 0K6
Phone: 306-522-3515
Fax: 306-522-0830
facebook.com/pathssask
twitter: @PATHS_SK
PATHS Staff:
Jo-Anne Dusel,
Provincial Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Crystal Giesbrecht,
Director of Member
Programs & Services
Email: [email protected]
www.pathssk.org
Battlefords Interval House
(306) 445-2742
Qu’Appelle Safe Haven Shelter
(306) 322-6881
Envision Counselling & Support Centre
Regina Transition House
(306) 757-2096
Estevan (306) 637-4004
Weyburn (306) 842-8821
Carlyle (306) 453-2405
Oxbow (306) 483-5555
Family Service Regina
(306) 757-6675
Family Service Saskatoon
(306) 244-0127
Hudson Bay Family and Support Centre
(306) 865-3064
Moose Jaw Transition House
(306) 693-6511
North East Outreach and Support Services
(306) 752-9464
PARTNERS Family Services
(306) 682-4135
Piwapan Women’s Centre
(306) 425-3900
Project Safe Haven
(306) 782-0676
Saskatoon Interval House
(306) 244-0185
Shelwin House
(306) 783-7233
SIGN
(306) 783-9409
SOFIA House
(306) 565-2537
Southwest Crisis Services
(306) 778-3692
Waskoosis Safe Shelter
(306) 236-5570
WISH Safe House
(306) 543-0493
YWCA Isabel Johnson Shelter
(306) 525-2141
YWCA Saskatoon
(306) 244-2844