Family Violence Initiative

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

Goals & Objectives:: To provide, through a non-profit charitable organization, for the stabilization, maintenance, revitalization and enhancement of the family structure in a culturally sensitive manner.
Traditional/Indigenous ways:: Aboriginal children and youth.
Components of program:: The program uses play therapy, puppetry, art therapy, sand play, reality therapy/choice therapy, Reiki, Brain Game activities, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, ASIST, EFT/ZPoint, and individual/group counselling. The program addresses witness violence, separation and divorce and bullying. Both bullies and bullied children enter the program (some through school referrals). Traditional Haudenosaunee teachings are central to all counselling. Children are asked what weapons they want to bury (sweating, hitting etc) like ancestors did under the tree of peace. Everything has a Haudenosaunee perspective. Modern techniques are all adapted to culture. For example, children are taught about Hiawatha and the bear growls during program time to illustrate how to release fear in a safe, therapeutic way.
Services/How they work:: Services are provided on site at the facility and off site in the community.
Funding:: N/A

Involvement of Target Groups:: Parents or crown wards (Children's Aid Society/foster parent) are involved throughout the process.
Partners:: Children's Aid Society; police; schools (guidance counsellors); various youth organizations; youth consortium.
Other relationships:: N/A

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 is measured against the rate of decline in the occurrences of bullying, criminal behaviour and other kinds of conflicts with authority in the community.
Achievements:: The children who have been through this program have a voice. They understand abuse and know how to stay safe.
Challenges:: Obtaining funding. There is a long client waiting list to access programming. There has been some difficulty in getting parents involved in the program.

Replication Advice:: The program is considered replicable. No advice given.
Resources:: Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.