Family Violence Initiative

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

History:: Programs are reviewed and developed on an ongoing basis to meet community needs as they are identified.

Goals & Objectives:: To change attitudes and increase clients' understanding of opportunities and available choices, to reduce vulnerability to violence and abuse.
Traditional/Indigenous ways:: Courage Circle group was based on teaching and promoting Aboriginal concepts, and Aboriginal culture is integrated throughout the programming provided.
Components of program:: The program offers one on one counselling, a weekly women's group that promotes social networking, a youth centre for ages 11-18 and has a women's shelter for women and children. The program targets schools for programming as well, offering anti-bullying workshops, sessions focusing on building healthy relationships and working with the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy to deliver programming. There is also a Circle Group that targets high risk youth and focuses on teaching Aboriginal culture, building self-esteem, pride in culture and how to stay away from drugs and violence.
Services/How they work:: Services are provided on site in the community's facility.
Funding:: Funding provided by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

Involvement of Target Groups:: The Mental Health team and committee meet approximately every 3 months, and bring together social service providers and stakeholders as well as community representatives to discuss issues and solutions. Feedback is also received through evaluations done by the band.
Partners:: Newfoundland & Labrador Women's Network; the Committee Against Violence; International Women's Day Committee; Community Advisory Committee; Healing Our Nations; the Department of the Status of Women Canada, Central Region
Other relationships:: All social services on the reserve – Mental health, child welfare, nursing, police and school all work well together to provide services.

Evaluation:: An evaluation has been completed.
Highlights of Evaluation Findings:: The report was not made available publicly, and no specific results can be provided.

Measures of Success:: Success of the program is measured by the turnout for programs, reductions in referrals to child welfare and mental health services and how well the networked service providers work together.
Achievements:: Measureable reduction in family violence occurrences in community. Women are standing up and not accepting violence any longer.
Challenges:: Getting the program promoted and making the public aware of its existence. More funding needed to increase scope of programs.

Replication Advice:: The program is considered replicable. Some of the keys to success on the Conne River reserve are: successful economic development and good relationships between service providers and people working together to develop solutions. It is important to find community specific solutions to community specific problems and to be able to build on the strengths of the community.
Resources:: Adequate funding to provide for staff, programming and facilities is needed.