file - Ending Violence BC
Transcription
file - Ending Violence BC
NEWS BULLETIN MARCH 2015 Interagency Case Assessment Teams (ICATs) As many people in BC know, ICATs are partnership groups that include criminal justice, child welfare, health and anti-violence workers with a goal of keeping high-risk domestic violence victims and their children safer. This goal is achieved by legally and ethically sharing risk related information, building a safety net for victims, their children and the community, and initiating interventions and monitoring of suspects. As of early March 2015, ICATs are in place in approximately 26 communities across BC. Another 15 are in the process of developing ICATs and are working with CCWS for information, support and training. For a wealth of information about ICATs please visit the EVA BC website at http://endingviolence.org/preventionprograms/ccws-program/interagency-caseassessment-teams-icats/ Regional ICAT Training in Northwest BC – March 2015 Participants from Nisga’a territory communities take part in the regional training held in Terrace. CCWS worked with local representatives from seven communities to plan and deliver three ICAT trainings across Northwest BC in early March with RCMP ‘E’ (BC) Division and the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence. March 2nd was the beginning of the five-day event, with a half-day training session in Smithers for the service providers interested in implementing the ICAT model. March 3rd and 4th, the training team was in the Hazelton area, for Gitxsan communities covered by the New Hazelton RCMP Detachment (Anspayaxw (Kispiox), Sikedakh (Glen Vowell), Gitsegukla (Kitseguecla), Gitwangak (Kitwanga), Gitanmaax and Gitanyow, as well as two Wet’suwet’en communities (Hagwilget and Moricetown), New Hazelton, Old Hazelton, and multiple long time farming and other residents in the area. March 5th and 6th the training team was on Tsimshian Territory in Terrace and working with responders from the communities of Terrace and Prince Rupert as well as responders from Haisla Territory (Kitimat and Kitamaat Village) and Nisga’a Territory (Gitwinksilkw, Gingolx, Gitlaxt'aamiks and Laxgalts'ap). In addition to the ICAT or developing ICAT representatives, other community members were invited to benefit from the training information and the opportunities for connection and discussion. In total there were more than 120 participants at these sessions. Trainers were CCWS Regional Coordinators Debby Hamilton and Morgen Baldwin, CCWS Legal Analyst Gisela Ruebsaat, PODV Director of System & Service Coordination Clark Russell, and ‘E’ Division RCMP trainers Cpl. Dave Johnson (Castlegar Detachment) and Staff Sgt. Sydney Lecky (Terrace Detachment). Participants at the information session in Smithers expressed appreciation for the information and opportunity for discussion. They plan to use the information session to advance their work on revisiting and formalizing existing cross-sector work into an ICAT for Smithers. Participants in the twoday trainings expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect regionally, and that the training location was close to home. The teams worked hard over both two-day trainings on incorporating the presentation material, case studies and discussions into some solid next steps CCWS FUNDER: BC Ministry of Justice CCWS is a Program of the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC) 2 CCWS News Bulletin – March 2015 locally and regionally to create and improve VAWIR/VIR Committees and ICATs. Participants at these trainings received a package of current CCWS documents on cross-sector coordination, safety planning and ICATs. They also received a preview version of some forms and templates in the upcoming ICAT Manual, a CCWS provincial cross-sector manual on best practices for ICATs. The ICAT Manual results from a multi-year process facilitated by CCWS of direct support and training to VAWIR Committees and ICATs, a Best Practices Roundtable among existing ICATs in 2013, and a cross-sector review, edit and sign-off. As soon as it is released, the ICAT Manual will be made available to communities where CCWS has provided support and training, including communities who participated in the Northwest trainings. The sectors represented on this CCWS cross-sector team have agreed to remain in place as an advisory to local ICATs. These sectors include BC Ministry of Justice (Crime Prevention and Community Safety Branch Criminal Justice Branch, Community Corrections,) RCMP, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Provincial Office on Domestic Violence, Community Corrections, North Okanagan ICAT, Saanich Police and Victoria Police. CCWS trainer fees and expense as well as training development, materials and supplies were contributed by EVA BC’s CCWS program, which has core funding from the Ministry of Justice. RCMP ‘E’ Division and the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence contributed trainers and covered their expenses. Local sponsors of refreshments, room rental and materials included Gitxsan Unlocking Aboriginal Justice, RCMP, Northern Health (Mental Health And Addictions), Sikedakh (Glen Vowell) Community Safety Planning Team, Storytellers’ Foundation (Giving Voice Grant), Best Western Terrace Inn, Ksan Society, Nisga’a Lisims Government and Tamitik Status of Women. Thanks to all for your contributions! Finally, we want to thank all the participants from across the Northwest for your work to increase safety from domestic violence! CCWS looks forward to providing ongoing support and to staying connected and learning from your communities. Hazelton ICAT members engrossed in a Case Study. Third Party Reporting Since late 2013, the CCWS Third Party Reporting Work Team, which includes representatives from RCMP E division, BC Chiefs of Police, Saanich Police Department, Ministry of Justice and the Vancouver Police Department, has been reviewing implementation successes, challenges and needs in the province with respect to Third Party Reporting (TPR). At the BC Association of Chiefs of Police meeting held in November 2014, the Police Protocol Guidelines finalized in October 2014 were reviewed and received renewed approval as a provincial framework for handling of TPRs. This will help ensure a more consistent response to unreported sexual assaults in different parts of the province. Given recent high profile cases of sexual violence and public recognition of victims’ legitimate fear of reporting, this is an important step forward. For more information about Third Party Reporting, download the March 2014 CCWS Information Bulletin, Third Party Reporting of Sexual Assault. Capacity Building Highlights VAWIR Committee Strategic Planning Session (Vernon; September 9, 2014): Regional Coordinator Debby Hamilton facilitated this 3-hour strategic planning session for North Okanagan Violence Against Women in Relationships Committee. The VAWIR identified new strategic goals and recommitted to action on goals from their previous plan. CCWS FUNDER: BC Ministry of Justice CCWS is a Program of the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC) 3 CCWS News Bulletin – March 2015 VAWIR Committee Redevelopment (Terrace; Sept 10th & 26th, 2014): Terrace is reviving their VAWIR Committee. CCWS is providing support over the course of several regular meetings with the foundational work such as the development of a mission statement, goals and objectives and beliefs. Hazelton Community Coordination (Hazelton; Sept 29, 2014): Hazelton is working toward an ICAT and developing the Indigenous Women’s Safety Committee into a VAWIR/VIR Committee for eastern Gitxsan communities. Western Gitxsan communities are engaged in separate processes as the communities have determined that the geographic area is too large and the issues too diverse to be covered by one coordination initiative. Links between the coordination efforts are being made by the CBVS program, RCMP and Health Hub, which covers the entire territory. Working Collaboratively to Identify and Respond to Highest Risk Domestic Violence (Courtenay/Comox; October 6 and 7, 2014): 54 Participants had an opportunity to identify signs of highest risk domestic violence and build comprehensive risk management plans based on the ICAT interagency approach in this two-day workshop. “Mapping the Island Response to Violence Against Women and Girls” (Hornby Island; October 8, 2014): One day mini-risk assessment and community mapping with 15 participants. Kamloops Family Law Section (October 22, 2014): 20 lawyers attended this presentation by CCWS Regional Coordinator Debby Hamilton and RCMP Sgt. Robb Daly about ICAT to the Family Lawyers Section meeting in Kamloops. Focus on how lawyers can identify risk and contribute to information sharing. Risk Assessment Across Communities: Working Effectively with Clients Dealing with Violence (Legal Services Society/Law Foundation Conference; October 29, 2014): This workshop provided in-depth information and tools to understand the importance of risk assessment and safety planning in situations involving domestic and sexual violence against women and children. Get your Gender Savvy On (EVA BC Annual Training Forum; November 6, 2014): This workshop allowed people to talk about gender, to identify the issues surrounding dialogue at the local level and create strategies for enhancing community understanding of gender issues. Presenters were: Morgen Baldwin, CCWS Regional Coordinator (contracted); Gail Edinger, CCWS Regional Coordinator; Sarah Wegelin, Special Projects Coordinator, Golden Women’s Resource Centre; Melanie MacDonald, Project Coordinator for OVISTA, Quesnel Women’s Resource Centre; and Thea Bracewell, Program & Development Officer, Women’s Program, Status of Women Canada. Risk Assessment Across Communities (EVA BC Annual Training Forum; November 7, 2014): Provided in-depth information and tools to understand the importance of risk assessment and safety planning in situations involving domestic and sexual violence against women and children. Included general risk dynamics, risk indicators, the importance of interagency collaboration, understanding high-risk teams, the importance of including the victim and monitoring offender factors. Presenters were CCWS Legal Analyst Gisela Ruebsaat, CCWS Regional Coordinator Debby Hamilton, RCMP Sgt. Robb Daly, EVA BC Policy & Program Analyst Amy FitzGerald. Family Law Act Plenary Panel (EVA BC Annual Training Forum; November 7, 2014): This session provided a high level brief overview of the new Family Law Act. Panelists shared an update on protection orders under the new family law legislation and a discussion about practice issues that have arisen over the past year. Facilitated by CCWS Legal Analyst Gisela Ruebsaat, panellists were Nancy Carter, Executive Director, Civil Policy and Legislation, Justice Services Branch, Ministry of Attorney General; Clark Russell, Director of System and Service Coordination, PODV; and Frida Tromans, a family law lawyer from the Peninsula Law Group in Surrey. ICAT Conference Call Consultation (Salt Spring Island/Outer Gulf Islands; November 27, 2014): Responded to practice issues questions and provided support and information to the Salt Spring Island/Outer Gulf Islands ICAT. CCWS FUNDER: BC Ministry of Justice CCWS is a Program of the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC) 4 CCWS News Bulletin – March 2015 Working Collaboratively to Identify and Respond to Highest Risk Domestic Violence (Clearwater/Barriere; December 2, 2014): This one-day training was presented to participants interested in developing ICATs for Clearwater, Barriere and Little Fort. ICAT and VAWIR Follow-up Consultation/Training (Revelstoke; December 11, 2014): One day follow-up training was provided in 2 parts: one to Revelstoke VAWIR and the second to Revelstoke ICAT. A general overview was given, and an emphasis on information sharing, ethics, privacy and victim support was made. Working Collaboratively to Identify and Respond to Highest Risk Domestic Violence (Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet; October 2, 2014): This one-day ICAT training was delivered to 44 participants from justice, social service and health. Two Crown Counsel were present, as well as strong representation from First Nations communities and organizations. Working Together to Increase Safety on Haida Gwaii (October 15 and 16, 2014): This two-day training was presented to participants interested in rebuilding the VAWIR committee on the south area of Haida Gwaii, and developing ICATs for the north and south areas of Haida Gwaii. As well as delivering the ICAT content, CCWS facilitated a process where the two areas brainstormed a geographical and membership mix that made sense for their island. Resources View these and other CCWS resources and publications online at http://endingviolence.org/research-publications/ Income Assistance Policies to Support People Fleeing Abuse, January 2015: This CCWS Information Bulletin is an updated version of the document that was created by CCWS in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (MSDSI) in March 2014. Critical Privacy Sharing Provisions Which Impact Information Sharing in Woman Abuse Cases: This CCWS backgrounder provides information about provincial and federal legislation that is relevant to information sharing practices in woman abuse cases. What are Domestic Violence Interagency Case Assessment Teams and What Do They Do?: This CCWS Information Bulletin originally issued in May 2014 was revised in September 2014. VAWIR Committee Conference Call CCWS staff facilitated a conference call for coordination initiatives throughout the province on February 5, 2015. Discussion focussed on experiences of women and workers related to the adjudication of spousal assault cases in Criminal Court or family law matters in Family Court, as well as ideas around how to increase judicial engagement. Provincial Working Group The most recent Working Group meeting was held in Vancouver on January 20, 2015. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on October 6, 2015. Contact Us Gail Edinger, Regional Coordinator 250-397-2389, [email protected] Debby Hamilton, Regional Coordinator 778-475-6164, [email protected] Gisela Ruebsaat, Legal Analyst (contracted) 250-592-6073, [email protected] Morgen Baldwin, Regional Coordinator (contracted) 250-631-7897, [email protected] Jessica Lee, Administrative Assistant 604-633-2506 ext 15, [email protected] Visit us online endingviolence.org/preventionprograms/ccws-program/ CCWS FUNDER: BC Ministry of Justice CCWS is a Program of the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC)