Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS

HISTORICAL LEGACY

Healing and Renewal of Family Roles and Responsibilities

Program name:

Community Adult Services: Alternative to Violence Program

Organization:

Saskatoon Health Region & Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre

Location:

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Target Group:

Men and Women.

Contact Name:

Deborah Fehr

Phone:

306-655-7924

Email:

N/A

Website:

N/A

Program Overview
History:

The program was started in 2005 for the cultural component and the women's component was begun in 2008.

Program Description
Goals & Objectives:

To end spousal assault and violence of all kinds in the home.

Traditional/Indigenous ways:

The men's programming has a considerable number of traditional methods of healing such as sweet grass smudging, sweat lodges, feasts, and Elders' teachings.

Components of program:

There are a number of groups, some of which are meant for men and some that are meant exclusively for women. The women's groups employ talking circles and teachings that help define violence, issues of family origin, gender bias, and false justification of violence processes. Education on the cycle of violence is relevant for both the men's and women's groups and has direct impact upon Aboriginal women and their safety, both as victims and as perpetrators of violence.

Services/How they work:

Services are offered on site at the facility.

Funding:

Funding is provided by the Saskatoon Health Region and the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre.

Relationships and Stakeholders
Involvement of Target Groups:

N/A

Partners:

The Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre.

Other relationships:

N/A

Details of Program Evaluation
Evaluation:

No evaluation has been completed.

Highlights of Evaluation Findings:

N/A

Program Outcomes
Measures of Success:

Success is measured by how well clients adopt the strategies and skills they learned in the program.

Achievements:

The program successfully enables clients to develop the tools needed to be able to prevent and safely diffuse family violence situations.

Challenges:

One of the biggest challenges of the programming is when the participant uses the information gathered in the program not to build a more healthy intimate relationship, but rather to become a better abuser. Limited human resources and available support for clients has been a challenge as well.

Things to Know to Replicate
Replication Advice:

The program is considered replicable. It is the human resources aspect of any program that greatly determines whether it can be successful in the long run.

Resources:

Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.